How to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account

You can move money from PayPal to a linked bank account in a few minutes using PayPal's transfer tool. The money does not arrive when ready — it takes one to three business days for most transfers, though PayPal offers a faster option that costs a small fee. The steps are the same whether you are transferring money you received as payment, a refund, or funds you added to PayPal yourself.

To start, log into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to your Wallet (on the app, tap the wallet icon at the bottom). You will see your PayPal balance. Tap or click "Transfer Money," then choose "Transfer to your bank." PayPal will show you any linked bank accounts. Select the account where you want the money to land, enter the amount, and confirm. That is the whole process.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost nothing.
  • You must have a bank account linked to your PayPal account before you can transfer money out.
  • PayPal offers an when ready transfer option that arrives within 30 minutes but charges a fee of around 1% of the amount you send.
  • Transfers cannot be reversed once PayPal processes them, so double-check the bank account and amount before you confirm.
  • If your transfer does not arrive after three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID.

Linking a bank account to PayPal for the first time

If you have never connected a bank account to PayPal, you need to do that before you can transfer money out. Go to Settings (the gear icon), then Wallet, then "Link a bank account." PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or call your bank's customer service line and ask for them.

After you enter those details, PayPal will make two small test deposits into your bank account — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These arrive within a few business days. Once they land, PayPal will ask you to confirm the amounts. This is how PayPal verifies that the account is actually yours. After you confirm, the account is linked and ready to use for transfers.

Some banks also let you link PayPal directly through their own app or website. If your bank offers this, it can be faster because you skip the test deposit step. Check your bank's app under settings or linked accounts to see if this option is available.

Standard transfers versus when ready transfers

PayPal's standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. This is the default option when you choose "Transfer to your bank." The money sits in PayPal's system for a day or two, then moves to your bank. If you transfer on a Friday evening, the money might not arrive until Tuesday, because weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days.

If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an when ready transfer option. This sends the money to your bank account within 30 minutes on most days. The cost is roughly 1% of the amount you transfer — so transferring $100 costs about $1. You choose this option at the same screen where you pick the amount. The fee comes out of your PayPal balance, so if you have $100 in PayPal and pay $1 to transfer when ready, your bank receives $99.

when ready transfers work on weekdays and weekends, though PayPal may process them more slowly late at night or on holidays. If you choose when ready transfer and it does not arrive within an hour, check your PayPal transaction history to see if PayPal rejected it — this sometimes happens if your bank has fraud protections that block unexpected deposits.

What happens if a transfer fails or takes too long

Most transfers go through without problems, but occasionally PayPal cannot complete the transfer or your bank rejects it. If this happens, PayPal refunds the money to your PayPal balance within a few business days. You will see a notification in your PayPal account explaining why it failed.

Common reasons for failed transfers include a closed or incorrect bank account, a bank that does not accept PayPal transfers, or fraud protections on your bank's side. If your bank rejected the transfer, call your bank's customer service and ask if they block PayPal deposits. Some smaller banks or credit unions do. If yours does, you may need to add PayPal to your bank's approved senders, or you may need to use a different transfer method.

If a standard transfer does not arrive after three business days, log into PayPal and find the transaction in your activity or transaction history. Click on it and note the transaction ID — a long number that identifies that specific transfer. Contact PayPal support through the app or website and give them this ID. They can tell you where the money is and whether your bank received it.

Fees and limits on transfers

Standard transfers to a U.S. bank account are free. when ready transfers cost around 1% of the amount, though PayPal's exact fee can vary slightly. If you are transferring to a bank account outside the United States, PayPal charges a fee — usually between 1% and 2% — and the transfer takes longer.

PayPal does not publish a single transfer limit that applies to everyone. Instead, limits depend on your account history, how long you have used PayPal, and whether PayPal has verified your identity. New accounts often have lower limits. If you try to transfer more than your limit allows, PayPal will tell you the maximum you can send and when the limit resets. You can request a higher limit by contacting PayPal support, but they may ask for additional information like a photo ID or proof of address.

Protecting your account during transfers

Once you confirm a transfer, PayPal processes it and cannot reverse it. This means you need to be careful about the bank account you choose and the amount you enter. Double-check both before you tap "Confirm." If you accidentally transfer money to the wrong account, you cannot ask PayPal to get it back — you would have to contact the other bank and ask them to reverse it, which they may or may not do.

Keep your PayPal password strong and enable two-factor authentication (PayPal calls this two-step verification). This means PayPal will ask for a code from your phone or email every time you log in from a new device. This protects your account if someone else gets your password. You can turn this on in Settings under Security.

If you see a transfer you did not make, report it to PayPal when ready through the Resolution Center. PayPal has buyer and seller protection policies, but you need to report unauthorized activity quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal transfers only go to a bank account linked to your own PayPal account. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature instead, which lets you send to their email address or phone number. They will receive the money in their PayPal account, and they can then transfer it to their own bank.

What if my bank does not accept PayPal transfers?

Some smaller banks and credit unions do not accept transfers from PayPal. Call your bank and ask if they accept PayPal deposits. If they do not, you can try linking a different account at another bank, or you can keep money in PayPal and use it to pay for things online. Some people open a second account at a larger bank just for PayPal transfers.

How long does a standard transfer really take?

PayPal says one to three business days. In practice, most transfers arrive within one or two business days if you send them on a weekday. Transfers sent on Friday evening or over a weekend may take until Tuesday or Wednesday. Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

Once PayPal processes the transfer, you cannot cancel it. If you catch it within a few minutes of sending it, before PayPal has processed it, you may be able to cancel through the transaction details. After that, the money is on its way to your bank and cannot be stopped.

Why did my when ready transfer fail?

when ready transfers sometimes fail because your bank has fraud protections that block unexpected deposits, or because PayPal detected unusual activity on your account. Check your PayPal transaction history for the reason. If your bank blocked it, call your bank and ask them to allow PayPal transfers, or try again during business hours when your bank's fraud team is monitoring.