What linking your bank account to PayPal does
Linking your bank account to PayPal lets you move money between the two without using a debit card or credit card as the middleman. Once linked, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance into your bank account, or fund your PayPal account directly from your bank when you need to send money or make a purchase.
The link is not automatic — PayPal needs to verify that you own both the account and the bank account before it will let money move between them. This verification takes a few days but only happens once. After that, transfers are usually available within one to three business days.
Key Takeaways
- You will need your bank account number, routing number, and online banking login to start the link.
- PayPal verifies ownership by depositing two small amounts into your bank account, which you then confirm in the PayPal app — this takes three to five business days.
- Once verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account for free, though the transfer itself takes one to three business days to arrive.
- Funding your PayPal account directly from your bank is when ready and free, but only works after the link is verified.
How to find your bank account number and routing number
Your bank account number is the long string of digits on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it by logging into your bank's website or app and looking at your account details. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch — it is also on the bottom left of your checks, just before your account number, or you can call your bank's customer service line and ask.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app, go to Account Details or Account Information, and both numbers will be listed there. Some banks also show them under "Transfers" or "External Transfers." Write both down before you start the PayPal link process.
The step-by-step process to link your account
On your computer or phone: Log into your PayPal account and go to Settings (usually a gear icon in the top right). Select Wallet or Linked Accounts, then look for the option to add a bank account. PayPal will ask for your bank name, account number, routing number, and the account holder's name — use the exact name on your bank account.
After you enter this information, PayPal will tell you that it is sending two small deposits to your bank account. These deposits are usually less than one dollar each and will appear in your bank account within three to five business days. Do not spend them — you will need to confirm the exact amounts in PayPal to prove you own the account.
Once the deposits arrive in your bank account, log back into PayPal, go to the same Wallet or Linked Accounts section, and select the option to confirm the bank account. PayPal will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts. Type them in exactly as they appear, and PayPal will verify the link when ready.
What happens if the deposits do not arrive
If you do not see the two deposits after five business days, check that you entered your routing number correctly — this is the most common reason deposits fail to arrive. Log back into PayPal, delete the bank account, and try again with the correct routing number.
If you are certain the routing number is correct, contact your bank's customer service and ask if they have blocked the deposits. Some banks flag small transfers from unfamiliar sources as suspicious. Your bank can release the deposits if they were blocked, or you can ask PayPal to resend them.
Moving money from PayPal to your bank account
Once your bank account is verified, you can transfer your PayPal balance to it at any time. Log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, and select Transfer Money. Choose "Transfer to your bank" and enter the amount you want to move. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date — usually one to three business days depending on your bank.
There is no fee for this transfer. The money will arrive as a deposit in your bank account under the description "PayPal Transfer" or similar. If you need the money faster, some banks offer next-business-day transfers, but this depends on your specific bank and the time of day you request the transfer.
Funding your PayPal account from your bank
After verification, you can also pull money from your bank account into PayPal when you need it. This is useful if you want to send money to someone or make a purchase through PayPal but do not have a PayPal balance. Go to your Wallet, select Add Money, choose your linked bank account, and enter the amount.
This transfer is when ready — the money appears in your PayPal account right away, even though it takes a few days for your bank to actually process the withdrawal. This means you can use the money when ready, but your bank balance will not reflect the deduction until one to three business days later. There is no fee for this either.
Removing or changing your linked bank account
If you want to unlink your bank account, go to Settings, select Wallet or Linked Accounts, find the bank account, and choose Remove or Delete. You can do this at any time, and it does not affect any transfers that are already in progress.
If you want to link a different bank account, you can add a new one without removing the old one first — PayPal lets you have multiple bank accounts linked at the same time. Just go through the verification process again with the new account. You can choose which account to transfer to or from each time you move money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a bank account that is not in my name?
No. PayPal requires that the name on the bank account matches the name on your PayPal account. If you share a bank account with someone else, you can only link it if your name is on the account as well.
What if I entered the wrong routing number and the deposits went to the wrong bank?
Contact PayPal's customer service and tell them the deposits went to the wrong account. They can cancel those deposits and send new ones to the correct routing number. This adds a few extra days to the process, but it is fixable.
Do I have to verify my bank account every time I want to transfer money?
No. The verification with the two deposits only happens once. After that, you can transfer money back and forth as many times as you want without re-verifying.
Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?
Yes. PayPal is a major payment company that handles millions of bank account links. Your bank account number is encrypted, and PayPal does not store it in a way that lets them withdraw money without your permission each time.
Why does the transfer take so long if I fund PayPal when ready but it takes days to get money back to my bank?
Pulling money from your bank into PayPal is when ready because PayPal trusts that your bank will process it. Sending money back to your bank takes longer because your bank has to verify the transfer came from PayPal and that you authorized it, which is a separate process on their end.