How the transfer works
PayPal moves money to your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH), the same system that handles direct deposits and bill payments. When you initiate a transfer, PayPal sends your bank account number and routing number to the ACH network, which then pulls the funds from your PayPal balance and deposits them into your checking or savings account.
The process takes 1 to 3 business days from the moment you request it. PayPal does not hold the money during this time — it leaves your PayPal account when ready, but your bank may take a day or two to show it as received. Weekends and bank holidays extend the timeline, so a Friday transfer might not land until Tuesday.
You can transfer any amount from $0.01 up to your full PayPal balance, with no upper limit per transfer. There is no fee for standard transfers to a linked bank account, though PayPal does charge a fee if you want the money in 30 minutes instead (called an when ready transfer, which costs 1.75% of the amount).
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to a linked bank account take 1 to 3 business days and cost nothing.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number, which PayPal verifies with two small deposits.
- The money leaves your PayPal balance when ready when you request the transfer, even though your bank may take a day or two to show it.
- when ready transfers are available for 1.75% of the amount and arrive within 30 minutes, but only if you have linked a debit card to PayPal.
Linking your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, you need to tell PayPal which bank account to send it to. Log into your PayPal account, go to Wallet, then select Link a bank account. Enter your routing number (the nine-digit code for your bank) and your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), then choose whether it is a checking or savings account.
PayPal will send two small deposits to your bank account — usually $0.01 and $0.02 — within 1 to 2 business days. Once they arrive, you go back into PayPal and confirm the amounts. This verification step proves you own the account. After confirmation, the account is linked and ready to use.
If you do not know your routing number, you can find it on a check, call your bank, or search your bank's name on the American Bankers Association website. Your account number is also printed on checks or visible in your online banking portal.
Requesting a standard transfer
Once your bank account is linked, go to Wallet in PayPal and select Transfer money. Choose Transfer to your bank, then enter the amount you want to move. PayPal will show you the arrival date (usually 1 to 3 business days out) and confirm the linked bank account where the money will land.
Review the details and select Transfer now. The money leaves your PayPal balance when ready and you will see it listed in your transaction history. Your bank will send you a confirmation once the deposit arrives, usually by email or through your online banking app.
You can request multiple transfers in a single day if you need to, and there is no daily or monthly limit on how much you can move out. However, you can only transfer money that is actually in your PayPal balance — if you have a negative balance (money owed to PayPal), you cannot transfer until that is settled.
When to use when ready transfer instead
If you need the money faster than 1 to 3 business days, PayPal offers when ready transfer for a fee of 1.75% of the amount. A $100 transfer costs $1.75; a $1,000 transfer costs $17.50. The money arrives in your bank account within 30 minutes, though your bank may take a few minutes longer to display it.
when ready transfer requires that you have a debit card linked to PayPal in addition to your bank account. If you only have a bank account linked, you cannot use when ready transfer. You request it the same way as a standard transfer — go to Transfer money, select the amount, and PayPal will offer when ready transfer as an option if you are may be able to access.
when ready transfer is useful when you need cash quickly for an unexpected expense, but the 1.75% fee adds up if you transfer frequently. For regular, planned transfers, standard transfer costs nothing and the 1 to 3 day wait is usually acceptable.
What happens if the transfer fails
A transfer can fail if your bank account information is wrong, if your bank rejects the deposit for any reason, or if PayPal detects suspicious activity on your account. If this happens, PayPal will send you a notification explaining why and the money will return to your PayPal balance within 5 to 10 business days.
The most common reason for failure is a mismatch between the account number or routing number you entered and what your bank has on file. Double-check both numbers before you request a transfer. If a transfer fails, you can try again with corrected information, or contact PayPal support to ask what went wrong.
If your account is flagged for suspicious activity, PayPal may temporarily block transfers while they investigate. This usually resolves within a few days, but you may need to provide additional information to confirm your identity.
Transferring money from a PayPal credit or debit card
If you have money loaded onto a PayPal-branded debit card or credit card, you cannot transfer that balance directly to your bank account. The card itself is a separate product from your PayPal wallet. To move that money, you would need to withdraw it from an ATM (if it is a debit card) or pay off the balance from another source.
If you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account, money in that account transfers the same way as regular PayPal balance — through your linked bank account using the standard or when ready transfer method described above.
Timing and what to expect
| Transfer Type | Cost | Time to Arrival | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard transfer | Free | 1 to 3 business days | Linked bank account |
| when ready transfer | 1.75% of amount | Within 30 minutes | Linked bank account and debit card |
Business days means Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. A transfer requested on Friday afternoon may not arrive until the following Tuesday because the ACH network does not process on weekends. If you need the money by a specific date, request it at least 3 business days before that date to account for delays.
Once the money arrives in your bank account, it is yours — PayPal has no further claim to it. Your bank may place a temporary hold on the deposit if the amount is unusually large for your account, but this is your bank's decision, not PayPal's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal transfers only go to the bank account you have linked to your own PayPal account. If you want to send money to another person, use PayPal's send money feature instead, which transfers directly from your PayPal balance to theirs (or to their email address if they do not have a PayPal account yet).
What if my bank account is closed?
If you close your bank account, you need to link a new one to PayPal before you can transfer again. If you request a transfer to a closed account, the money will be rejected and returned to your PayPal balance within 5 to 10 business days. Update your linked account information in your PayPal wallet before requesting another transfer.
Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?
Standard transfers cannot be cancelled once you request them because the money leaves your PayPal account when ready. when ready transfers also cannot be cancelled. If the transfer fails or is rejected by your bank, the money returns automatically.
Do I pay taxes on money I transfer to my bank account?
Transferring your own money from PayPal to your bank account is not a taxable event. However, if the money in your PayPal account came from selling goods or services, that income is taxable in the year you received it, regardless of whether you transfer it to your bank. PayPal reports transactions to the IRS, so keep records of what the money was for.
Why is my transfer taking longer than 3 days?
Delays usually happen because of weekends or holidays in the transfer window, or because your bank is processing the deposit slowly. Contact your bank to confirm they received the deposit from PayPal. If they have no record of it, contact PayPal support with your transfer confirmation number to investigate.