Why you need to connect PayPal to your bank account
Connecting PayPal to your checking account lets you move money in both directions: you can transfer money from PayPal into your bank account to spend it, or link your bank account as a payment method when you send money through PayPal. Without this connection, money you receive through PayPal stays trapped in your PayPal balance, and you have to pay fees to convert it to cash.
The connection is straightforward and takes about five minutes. PayPal uses a verification process to confirm you own both accounts, which protects you from someone else linking your bank account without permission.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link PayPal to your checking account, both found on the bottom left of a paper check.
- PayPal deposits two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account, which you must confirm in PayPal within 10 days to complete the link.
- Once verified, transfers from PayPal to your bank account take one to three business days and are free.
- You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account, but each account must be verified separately.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details before you open PayPal. You will need your routing number and account number — both are printed on the bottom left of any check from your account. The routing number is nine digits and identifies your bank. The account number is longer and identifies your specific account.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read you both numbers.
Have your PayPal login information ready. If you do not have a PayPal account yet, you will need to create one first — you can do this from PayPal.com using your email address and a password you choose.
The step-by-step process to link your account
Log into PayPal on a computer or in the app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Wallet or Bank Accounts. Look for an option that says "Link a Bank Account" or "Add Bank Account." PayPal will ask you to choose between linking a U.S. bank account or an international one — select U.S. bank account.
Enter your bank's routing number and your account number in the fields provided. Double-check both numbers before you continue, because an error will cause the verification to fail. PayPal will also ask for your account type (checking or savings) — select checking.
Review the information you entered and confirm. PayPal will tell you that it is sending two small test deposits to your bank account. This usually happens within one to two business days. You do not need to do anything yet — just wait for the deposits to appear.
Confirming the test deposits
Check your bank account online or in your bank's app for two deposits from PayPal. They will be very small amounts, usually less than $1 each. The deposit descriptions will include two numbers — these are the amounts you need to confirm in PayPal to prove you own the account.
Go back to PayPal and return to your bank account settings. Look for an option to confirm the deposits or verify your account. Enter the two amounts you saw in your bank account exactly as they appear. PayPal will verify that the numbers match and complete the link.
You have 10 days from when PayPal sends the deposits to confirm them. If you miss this window, you will need to start the linking process over. Once you confirm, the test deposits stay in your account — PayPal does not take them back.
What happens after your account is linked
Your bank account is now connected to PayPal and ready to use. You can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank account at any time. Go to Wallet, select your bank account, and choose "Transfer to Bank." Enter the amount and confirm. The money will arrive in your checking account in one to three business days, and there is no fee for this transfer.
You can also use your linked bank account as a payment method when you send money to someone through PayPal. Instead of using your PayPal balance, PayPal will pull the money directly from your checking account. This is useful if your PayPal balance is empty or if you prefer to keep your money in the bank.
If you ever need to remove the connection, you can do so in your bank account settings. PayPal will stop pulling from that account, but the account will remain in your list. You can reconnect it later if you want.
Linking multiple bank accounts
You can connect more than one checking account to the same PayPal account. Each account goes through the same verification process with test deposits. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or if you want to keep money separate for different purposes.
When you transfer money from PayPal, you will choose which bank account to send it to. When you pay someone, you can choose which linked account to pull the money from. PayPal will remember which account you used last, but you can change it each time.
What to do if the verification fails
If PayPal tells you the test deposits did not match, check that you entered the amounts exactly as they appeared in your bank account. Deposits sometimes show with a description that includes other characters — make sure you are entering only the two numbers PayPal asked for.
If you entered the numbers correctly and it still fails, the routing or account number you provided may have been wrong. Start the linking process over and carefully re-enter both numbers. If you are unsure about either number, contact your bank before trying again.
If the test deposits never appear in your bank account after three business days, contact PayPal's support team. Provide them with the routing number and account number you entered. They can investigate whether the deposits were sent to the wrong account or if there was a technical issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?
The entire process takes three to five business days from start to finish. You enter your information when ready, PayPal sends test deposits within one to two days, and you confirm them as soon as you see them. Once confirmed, the link is active right away.
Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?
Yes. PayPal is a major financial company that handles millions of bank connections. The test deposit verification process confirms you own the account, which prevents someone else from linking your account without permission. Never share your PayPal password, but your routing and account numbers are safe to enter in PayPal.
Can I transfer money from my bank account to PayPal?
Yes. Once your account is linked, you can add money to your PayPal balance by transferring from your bank account. Go to Wallet, select your bank account, and choose "Transfer to PayPal." The money takes one to three business days to arrive and is free.
What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?
If you realize the mistake before confirming the test deposits, you can delete the account from your settings and start over with the correct account. If you already confirmed it, you can remove it from your bank account list in PayPal, and the link will be deleted. The test deposits will stay in whichever account received them.
Do I have to use my linked bank account every time I transfer money?
No. If you have multiple bank accounts linked, you choose which one to use each time you transfer. If you have only one linked account, PayPal will use that one by default, but you can change it anytime by linking a different account.