What you need before you start

To link a bank account to PayPal, you will need your bank's routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. You will also need your PayPal login and password, and access to the email address connected to your PayPal account — PayPal will send a confirmation code there during the process.

Your bank account must be in your own name and held at a U.S. bank. PayPal does not accept accounts held at credit unions in all states, though most major credit unions work. If you are unsure whether your bank or credit union is supported, PayPal's website lists compatible institutions by state.

The linking process itself takes about five minutes. Verification — where PayPal confirms the account is actually yours — takes one to two business days in most cases, though it can stretch to five business days if your bank processes slowly.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need your routing number and account number from the bottom of a check, plus access to your PayPal email address.
  • PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account to verify ownership; you then enter those amounts back into PayPal to confirm.
  • The entire process from linking to full verification usually takes one to two business days.
  • Once verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, though transfers take one to three business days to arrive.
  • If verification fails, PayPal will tell you why and let you try again with corrected information.

Step-by-step: linking your account

Log into your PayPal account and go to the Wallet section. Click "Link a bank account" or "Add a bank account" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you already have one linked. PayPal will ask you to choose between manually entering your routing and account numbers, or letting PayPal log into your bank directly to pull the information automatically.

If you enter the numbers manually, type them exactly as they appear on your check. The routing number is the first nine digits on the bottom left; the account number follows when ready after. Double-check both before clicking next. If you choose the automatic route, PayPal will open a window to your bank's login page. Enter your banking credentials there — PayPal does not store this information, and you will not need to enter it again.

After you submit your account details, PayPal will ask you to confirm your name and address. Make sure these match what your bank has on file. If they do not, the verification step will fail. Once you confirm, PayPal will tell you that two small deposits (usually between 1 and 5 cents each) are on their way to your account.

Waiting for and confirming the test deposits

The two test deposits arrive in your bank account within one to two business days. Check your bank statement or online banking portal — do not wait for a paper statement. The deposits will show as coming from PayPal, and the description will include a code or reference number.

Once you see both deposits, return to PayPal and go back to the Wallet section. Find the bank account you just linked and click on it. PayPal will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts. Type in the exact cents — if one deposit was $0.03 and the other was $0.05, enter those numbers in the order PayPal asks for them.

If you enter the amounts correctly, PayPal will confirm that your bank account is verified. Your account is now fully linked and you can transfer money between PayPal and your bank. If you enter the wrong amounts, PayPal will let you try again. You have up to 30 days from the date the deposits arrived to confirm them; after that, you will need to start the linking process over.

What happens if verification fails

Verification fails most often because the name or address you gave PayPal does not match what your bank has on file. If this happens, PayPal will tell you which piece of information caused the problem. You can then update your PayPal profile information and try linking the account again.

Less commonly, verification fails because the routing or account number was entered incorrectly. If you suspect this happened, delete the failed account from your PayPal Wallet and start over. Take extra care entering the numbers the second time — even a single digit wrong will cause the verification to fail.

If your bank is not in PayPal's supported list, you will see an error message when you try to link it. In this case, you cannot link that particular account. You may be able to link a different account at another bank, or you can transfer money to PayPal using a debit card instead.

Moving money from PayPal to your bank account

Once your bank account is verified, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to that account. Go to your Wallet, click "Transfer money," and select "Transfer to your bank." PayPal will show you the available balance and ask how much you want to transfer. Enter the amount and confirm.

The transfer itself is free. Money takes one to three business days to arrive in your bank account, depending on your bank's processing speed. PayPal will send you an email confirmation when ready, and you can track the transfer status in your PayPal activity log.

If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an when ready transfer option for a fee of 1.5% of the amount transferred (with a minimum fee of 25 cents). This option is available if you have linked a debit card in addition to your bank account. when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes in most cases.

Unlinking or removing your bank account

If you want to remove a bank account from PayPal, go to your Wallet, find the account, and click the menu icon next to it. Select "Remove" or "Unlink." PayPal will ask you to confirm. The account is removed when ready, and you will no longer be able to transfer money to it.

Removing an account does not affect any transfers that are already in progress. If you have a transfer pending when you remove the account, it will still arrive at your bank on schedule. You can link a different bank account at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link a joint bank account?

Yes, as long as your name appears on the account. PayPal will verify the account using the name you provide in your PayPal profile, so make sure it matches the name on the account at your bank.

What if I do not have checks to find my routing number?

You can find your routing number on your bank's website, by calling the bank's customer service line, or by logging into your online banking portal. The account number appears there as well. You do not need a physical check.

Can I link the same bank account to multiple PayPal accounts?

No. Each bank account can be linked to only one PayPal account. If you try to link it to a second account, PayPal will tell you it is already in use.

What if the test deposits do not arrive after five business days?

Contact your bank first to confirm the deposits have not arrived. If your bank says they have not received them, go back to PayPal and delete the account from your Wallet. Then link it again and request new test deposits. If your bank says the deposits arrived but you cannot find them, check your full transaction history — they may be labeled differently than you expect.

Do I have to keep my bank account linked to PayPal?

No. You can unlink it at any time. You can still use PayPal to send and receive money; you just will not be able to transfer your balance to that bank account unless you link it again.