What you need before you start

To link a checking 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, or you can call your bank's customer service line and ask for them. You will also need your PayPal login information — if you do not have a PayPal account yet, you can create one free at paypal.com using your email address and a password.

Your bank account and PayPal account must be in the same name. If they are not, PayPal will reject the link during verification. The account itself does not need to have a minimum balance, but your bank may charge a small fee if your balance drops below their threshold — that is a bank rule, not a PayPal rule.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, both found on the bottom left of a check or available by calling your bank.
  • PayPal verifies the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under one dollar each) into your checking account within one to two business days.
  • You must confirm those deposits by logging into PayPal and entering the exact amounts, which completes the link.
  • Once linked, you can send money from your checking account through PayPal, receive payments, or set it as your default funding source.
  • Linking takes about five to seven business days total from start to finish, including the verification deposits.

The step-by-step process to link your account

Log into your PayPal account and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Select Wallet, then Link a Bank Account. Enter your bank's routing number and your checking account number exactly as they appear on your check. PayPal will ask you to confirm your name and address — make sure these match what your bank has on file.

Click Continue. PayPal will tell you that it will deposit two small amounts into your checking account within one to two business days. These deposits are how PayPal confirms you own the account — you will need to see them and report the amounts back to PayPal to finish the link. Do not close this window yet; write down the reference number PayPal shows you, in case you need to contact support.

Check your checking account online or by calling your bank after one to two business days have passed. Look for two deposits from PayPal (they may appear as "PayPal" or "PAYPAL VERIFICATION" in your transaction history). The amounts will be small — usually between 1 and 99 cents each. Write down both amounts exactly.

Return to PayPal, go back to Settings > Wallet, and find the bank account you just added. Click Confirm, then enter the two amounts you saw in your checking account. If the amounts match, PayPal will confirm the link is complete. Your checking account is now linked and ready to use.

What happens if verification deposits do not arrive

If you do not see the two deposits after three business days, the routing number or account number you entered was likely incorrect. Log back into PayPal, go to Settings > Wallet, and click the linked account. You should see an option to edit or remove it. Remove the account and start over, double-checking the routing number and account number against your check or your bank's website.

If you are certain the numbers are correct and still see no deposits after five business days, contact your bank's customer service. Ask them to confirm that no deposits from PayPal have arrived in the last week. If your bank confirms nothing arrived, contact PayPal support through the Help Center in your account settings. Have your routing number, account number, and the reference number PayPal gave you ready when you reach them.

Using your linked checking account

Once your checking account is linked and verified, you can use it to fund PayPal payments and transfers. When you send money to another person or business through PayPal, you will see a screen asking where the money should come from — you can select your linked checking account, a credit or debit card, or your PayPal balance if you have one. The money will leave your checking account within one to three business days.

You can also set your checking account as your default funding source, so PayPal uses it automatically unless you choose something else. To do this, go to Settings > Wallet, find your bank account, and click Make Primary. If you receive money through PayPal, you can transfer it to your linked checking account — PayPal calls this a transfer to bank, and it usually takes one to two business days.

Removing or unlinking your account

If you want to stop using a linked checking account, go to Settings > Wallet, find the account, and click Remove. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once removed, PayPal will no longer be able to pull money from that account or deposit money into it. If you linked the account by mistake or want to link a different account instead, you can remove it and start the process over with the correct account number.

Removing an account does not affect any payments you have already made or received. It only stops PayPal from using that account for future transactions. If you have a pending transfer to that account when you remove it, contact PayPal support to find out what happens to the money — in most cases, PayPal will hold it or reverse it, but the exact outcome depends on how far along the transfer was.

Security and what PayPal can see

When you link a checking account to PayPal, you are giving PayPal permission to view your account and move money in and out. PayPal cannot see your full account history or balance — only the transactions it initiates. Your bank and PayPal use encryption to protect the routing number and account number you provide, so they do not travel across the internet in plain text.

If your PayPal account is hacked, someone could potentially use your linked checking account to send money out. To reduce this risk, use a strong, unique password for PayPal (one you do not use anywhere else), turn on two-factor authentication in your PayPal settings, and check your checking account regularly for unauthorized PayPal transactions. If you spot something you did not authorize, contact your bank when ready — banks have their own fraud protections separate from PayPal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to link a checking account to PayPal?

The verification deposits usually arrive within one to two business days. Once you enter the amounts into PayPal, the link is when ready. Total time from start to finish is typically five to seven business days, depending on how quickly your bank processes the deposits.

Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?

Yes. The process is identical — you enter the routing number and account number for your savings account, and PayPal sends the verification deposits there. Some banks charge a fee for frequent transfers out of savings accounts, so check your bank's rules before linking a savings account as your primary funding source.

What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number?

PayPal will attempt to send the verification deposits to the account you specified. If the number is wrong, the deposits will either go to a different account or be rejected by the bank. Either way, you will not see them in your account. Remove the incorrect account from PayPal and add it again with the correct numbers.

Do I need a minimum balance in my checking account to link it?

No. PayPal does not require a minimum balance. Your bank may, but that is separate from PayPal. The two verification deposits are typically less than one dollar each, so even a very low balance should be enough to receive them.

Can someone else's checking account be linked to my PayPal account?

No. The checking account must be in the same name as your PayPal account. If the names do not match, PayPal will reject the link during the verification step. If you need to use someone else's account, they would need to link it to their own PayPal account instead.