Linking your bank account to Venmo takes about five minutes and requires your routing number and account number

Venmo needs to know where your money comes from and where it goes. When you link a bank account, you're telling Venmo it can pull money from that account when you pay someone, and deposit money there when someone pays you. You'll need your bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (usually printed on the bottom left of your checks). Venmo will ask for these during setup, then verify the connection by making two small test deposits to your account — usually within one to two business days.

The process is the same whether you're using Venmo on your phone or computer, though most people do it on the app. You don't need to be a new Venmo user to add a bank account — you can do this anytime, and you can link multiple accounts if you want.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which you can find on a check or by calling your bank.
  • Venmo verifies the connection by depositing two small amounts to your account, which you then confirm in the app — this takes one to two business days.
  • Once linked, you can choose which account money comes from when you pay someone, and which account receives money when someone pays you.
  • You can link multiple bank accounts to the same Venmo profile and switch between them depending on the transaction.

Finding your routing and account numbers

Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom of any check from your account. The routing number is the first nine digits on the left, the account number comes next. If you don't have checks, call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or bank statement — and ask for both numbers. Some banks also show this information in their mobile app under account details.

Make sure you're giving Venmo the routing number for the specific branch or bank where your account is held, not a general customer service number. If you're unsure, your bank's website usually has a routing number lookup tool, or you can ask the bank directly.

Steps to add a bank account in the Venmo app

Open Venmo and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Select "Settings," then "Payment Methods," then "Add a Bank Account." Venmo will ask whether you want to add a checking or savings account — choose the type that matches your account. Enter your routing number, account number, and the name on the account exactly as it appears at your bank.

After you submit this information, Venmo will tell you that two small deposits (usually between 1 and 99 cents each) are on the way to your account. These deposits arrive within one to two business days. Once they land, go back into Venmo, return to "Payment Methods," and select the account you just added. Venmo will ask you to enter the amounts of those two deposits — this confirms that you own the account and have access to it. After you confirm, the account is fully linked and ready to use.

Choosing which account to use for payments and deposits

Once your bank account is linked, you can decide which account money comes from when you send money to someone. When you're about to pay someone in Venmo, look for the payment method selector — it usually shows near the bottom of the screen before you confirm the payment. Tap it to choose which linked account the money should come from.

You can also set a default account so Venmo always pulls from the same place unless you change it. To do this, go to Settings, then Payment Methods, then tap the account you want to use most often and select "Make Default." Money that people send you will go to whichever account you've set as your default, unless you change it before a specific transaction.

What happens if verification fails

If the two test deposits don't show up after three business days, check that you entered your routing and account numbers correctly. Log back into Venmo, go to Payment Methods, and look for the account you added — it should show a status. If it says "pending," wait another day or two. If it says "failed," delete that account and try adding it again, double-checking each number against your check or your bank's website.

If the deposits arrive but Venmo won't let you confirm them, make sure you're entering the exact amounts — including cents. If you still can't confirm after a few tries, contact Venmo's support through the app (tap the menu, then "Help") and describe what happened. They can manually verify the account for you, though this usually takes a few business days.

Removing or changing a linked bank account

You can remove a bank account from Venmo anytime. Go to Settings, then Payment Methods, find the account you want to remove, and tap it. Select "Remove This Account" and confirm. If that account was set as your default, Venmo will ask you to choose a new default before you can remove it.

If you want to change which account receives money when people pay you, go to Settings, Payment Methods, and select a different account as your default. Payments sent to you after that point will go to the new account. This doesn't affect payments already sent — those will still go to the account that was default when they were made.

Security and what Venmo can see

When you link a bank account, you're giving Venmo permission to pull money from that account and deposit money into it. Venmo cannot see your full account balance or your other transactions — only the money moving in and out through Venmo itself. Your bank login information stays between you and your bank; Venmo doesn't ask for your password.

If you're worried about security, use a bank account you check regularly so you notice any unusual activity quickly. You can also remove the account from Venmo anytime without affecting your bank account itself. Most banks and Venmo both offer fraud protection, so if something goes wrong, you have recourse through both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to link a bank account?

The whole process takes about five minutes to enter your information, but Venmo needs one to two business days to deposit the verification amounts and for you to confirm them. After you confirm the deposits, the account is ready to use when ready.

Can I link a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. When Venmo asks what type of account you're adding, select "Savings." The process is identical — you'll still get two test deposits to confirm. Money moves the same way whether it's a checking or savings account.

What if I don't have checks?

Call your bank's customer service number (on your debit card or statement) and ask for your routing number and account number. You can also log into your bank's website or app — most banks display both numbers under account details or in a section labeled "Account Information."

Can I link the same bank account to multiple Venmo profiles?

No. Each bank account can only be linked to one Venmo profile. If you try to link an account that's already connected to another profile, Venmo will reject it. You can link multiple different accounts to the same profile, though.

Do I need to keep the test deposits in my account?

No. After you confirm the amounts in Venmo, those deposits are yours to keep or spend — they're not refunded. They're usually just a few cents, so most people leave them in the account.