How to transfer money from Venmo to your bank account

To move money from Venmo to your bank account, you link a bank account to your Venmo profile, then use the "Transfer to Bank" button in the app to send the money. The transfer takes one to three business days, and Venmo does not charge a fee for standard transfers. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.

The process is straightforward once your bank account is connected, but the timing matters — money does not arrive when ready, and you cannot reverse a transfer once it has started. Understanding how Venmo handles the connection and what happens if something goes wrong will help you move money confidently.

Key Takeaways

  • Link your bank account to Venmo by providing your routing number and account number, which takes a few minutes and happens only once.
  • Standard transfers to your bank take one to three business days and cost nothing, while when ready transfers cost a small percentage fee.
  • Money sent to your Venmo balance first sits there until you transfer it out — it does not automatically go to your bank.
  • If you receive money from someone else on Venmo, that money lands in your Venmo balance, not your bank account, and you must transfer it separately.

Linking your bank account to Venmo

Before you can move money out, you need to tell Venmo which bank account to send it to. Open the Venmo app, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu) in the bottom right, then select "Settings." Tap "Payment Methods," then "Add a Bank Account." Venmo will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number.

Your account number is usually 10 to 12 digits and appears on the left side of a check. Your routing number is nine digits and appears on the bottom left of a check. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or call the bank's customer service line and ask for both numbers — they can tell you in seconds. Venmo will verify the account by making two small deposits (usually under one dollar each) to your bank account within one to two business days. Once those deposits arrive, Venmo will ask you to confirm the amounts, and your account is linked.

Transferring money using the standard option

Once your bank account is linked, any money in your Venmo balance can be transferred out. Open the Venmo app and tap the three horizontal lines, then select "Transfer to Bank." Venmo will show you the balance available to transfer. Choose the amount you want to send, then tap "Transfer." Venmo will ask you to confirm, and the transfer begins.

Standard transfers take one to three business days. This means if you transfer money on a Tuesday, it may not arrive until Thursday or Friday. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer started on Friday afternoon might not arrive until Tuesday. You will see the transfer listed in your Venmo history as "pending" until the money reaches your bank account.

Understanding when ready transfers and their cost

Venmo also offers when ready transfers, which move money to your bank account within 30 minutes instead of one to three days. when ready transfers cost a small percentage of the amount you are sending — the exact percentage varies but is typically between 0.5% and 1.75%. For example, transferring $100 when ready might cost between 50 cents and $1.75.

You choose between standard and when ready when you tap "Transfer to Bank." The app will show you both options and the exact fee for an when ready transfer before you confirm. If you need the money right away, when ready is worth the cost. If you can wait a few days, standard costs nothing.

What happens when you receive money from someone else

When another person sends you money through Venmo, that money lands in your Venmo balance — it does not go directly to your bank account. You then need to transfer it out using the same process described above. This is an important distinction: receiving money and having access to it in your bank account are two separate steps.

Your Venmo balance is held by Venmo, not by your bank. You can use it to send money to other people on Venmo, but to spend it anywhere else (at a store, online, or to pay a bill), you must first transfer it to your bank account. Some people keep money in Venmo temporarily if they plan to send it to someone else soon, but if you want the money in your actual bank account, you need to initiate the transfer.

Troubleshooting transfers that do not arrive

If you have transferred money and it has been more than three business days, check your Venmo history first. Open the app, tap the three horizontal lines, and look for the transfer in your transaction list. If it shows "completed," the money should be in your bank account — check your bank's app or website to confirm it arrived. Sometimes a transfer shows as completed in Venmo but takes an extra day to appear in your bank account due to processing delays on your bank's end.

If the transfer shows "pending" after three business days, or if it shows "failed," contact Venmo's support team through the app. Tap the three horizontal lines, select "Help," then "Contact Us." Describe the transfer (the amount, the date you sent it, and the status shown in your app) and ask Venmo to investigate. Venmo's support team can see what happened and either resend the transfer or refund the money to your Venmo balance.

Keeping your bank information find

Linking your bank account to Venmo means sharing your routing number and account number with the app. These are the same numbers you would write on a check, so they are relatively safe to share — they are not the same as your online banking password or PIN. However, you should still protect your Venmo account itself by using a strong password and enabling two-factor authentication (a security feature that requires a code from your phone when you log in from a new device).

To turn on two-factor authentication, open Venmo, tap the three horizontal lines, select "Settings," then "Security." Choose "Phone Number" or "Authentication App" and follow the steps. This makes it much harder for someone else to access your account and transfer your money, even if they somehow learn your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account using Venmo?

No. Venmo only transfers money to the bank account you have linked to your own profile. If you want to send money to another person's bank account, you would need to use a different service like your bank's bill pay feature or a wire transfer.

What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?

You can remove the bank account and add a different one. Open Venmo, tap the three horizontal lines, select "Settings," then "Payment Methods." Find the bank account you want to remove and tap "Remove." Then add the correct account using the same process you used the first time.

Do I have to transfer all my Venmo balance at once, or can I transfer part of it?

You can transfer any amount up to your full balance. When you tap "Transfer to Bank," Venmo lets you type in the exact amount you want to send. You can leave the rest in your Venmo balance or transfer it later.

What if my bank rejects the transfer?

This is rare, but it can happen if your account is closed or if your bank flags the transfer as suspicious. If this occurs, the money returns to your Venmo balance within a few days. Contact your bank to ask why the transfer was rejected, then try again or contact Venmo support for help.

Can I transfer money from Venmo if I do not have a bank account?

No. Venmo requires a linked bank account to transfer money out of the app. If you do not have a bank account, you would need to open one first. Some banks and credit unions offer accounts specifically for people new to banking, with lower fees and simpler requirements.