How to transfer PayPal money to your bank account

You can move money from PayPal to a linked bank account in a few minutes using PayPal's transfer feature. The money does not arrive when ready — it typically takes one to three business days, depending on your bank. PayPal does not charge you to transfer to your own bank account, though some banks may charge a small fee on their end (most do not).

The process is the same whether you received the money as payment, a refund, or a transfer from someone else. As long as the funds are in your PayPal balance, you can send them to any bank account you have already linked to your PayPal account.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal transfers to your bank account are free and take one to three business days to arrive.
  • You must link your bank account to PayPal first, which requires your routing number and account number.
  • You can transfer any amount from your PayPal balance, but some banks may have their own limits on how much they will receive in a single deposit.
  • If your transfer does not arrive within three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction reference number.

Link your bank account to PayPal before your first transfer

PayPal will not let you transfer money anywhere until you have added a bank account. To do this, log into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app, go to Wallet, and select Link a bank account. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number.

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank. You can find it on the bottom left of any check, or by calling your bank's customer service line and asking for it. Your account number is usually printed on your checks as well, or you can find it in your online banking portal.

After you enter this information, PayPal will make two small test deposits to your bank account — usually between 1 and 3 cents each. These deposits arrive within a few days. Once they land, PayPal will ask you to confirm the amounts, which proves you own the account. After you confirm, the account is linked and ready to use.

Start a transfer from your PayPal balance

Once your bank account is linked, open PayPal and go to Wallet. You will see your PayPal balance at the top. Click Transfer money or Move money (the exact wording varies by app version). Select Transfer to your bank.

PayPal will show you the linked bank account and ask how much you want to transfer. Enter the amount and review the details. The screen will tell you the expected arrival date — usually one to three business days out. Click Transfer now to complete it.

You will see a confirmation screen with a reference number. Write this down or take a screenshot. If something goes wrong, you will need this number to contact PayPal support.

What happens after you request the transfer

PayPal removes the money from your balance when ready, but your bank does not receive it right away. The delay is not PayPal's doing — it is how the banking system works. Money moves between banks through a network called the Automated Clearing House (ACH), which processes transfers in batches once or twice a day.

Most transfers arrive within one business day. Some take two or three, especially if you transfer on a Friday or over a weekend — banks do not process ACH transfers on weekends or holidays. If your transfer does not show up after three business days, contact PayPal with your reference number and the date you transferred.

Transferring more than your bank will accept

Most banks have no limit on how much you can receive in a single ACH deposit. However, some banks — particularly smaller ones or accounts for people new to banking — may reject deposits above a certain amount, often $5,000 or $10,000. If this happens, PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance within a few days.

If you think your bank has a limit, call them before you transfer a large amount and ask what their maximum ACH deposit is. If they do have one, you can make multiple transfers over several days instead of one large one.

When a transfer fails or gets stuck

A transfer can fail if your bank account information is wrong, if your account has been closed, or if your bank rejects the deposit for a reason on their end. PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance and send you a notification explaining why.

If your transfer is stuck — meaning it has been more than three business days and the money is not in your bank account and not back in PayPal — log into PayPal, find the transaction in your activity history, and click on it. You will see an option to contact PayPal support. Have your reference number ready.

Transferring to a different bank account

You can link multiple bank accounts to PayPal and transfer to whichever one you choose. To add another account, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, and repeat the verification process with the new account's routing and account numbers.

If you want to remove a linked account, go to your bank account settings in PayPal and select Remove. You can only remove an account if it has no pending transfers. If you have already transferred money to an account and then remove it from PayPal, the transfer will still go through — removing the account from PayPal does not cancel transfers that are already in progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal transfers go only to bank accounts linked to your own PayPal account. If you want to send money to someone else, you can use PayPal's send money feature to transfer directly to their PayPal account or email address, or you can withdraw to your own bank account and then send them a check or use your bank's bill pay service.

Why is my transfer taking longer than three days?

Transfers requested on weekends or holidays may take longer because banks do not process ACH transfers outside business hours. If you transferred on a Friday, the money may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. If it has been more than three business days since a weekday transfer, contact PayPal support with your reference number.

Do I have to pay a fee to transfer to my bank?

PayPal does not charge a fee for transfers to your own bank account. Some banks charge a small fee to receive ACH deposits, but most do not. Check with your bank if you are unsure.

What if I accidentally transferred to the wrong bank account?

If you transferred to a bank account you do not own, contact PayPal support when ready with your reference number. If the transfer has not yet arrived at the bank, PayPal may be able to cancel it. If it has already arrived, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to reverse the deposit.

Can I transfer money from PayPal to a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. When you link your bank account, you choose whether it is checking or savings. You can link both and transfer to whichever one you prefer.