You can send money from your bank account through PayPal to another person in a few minutes
PayPal lets you link a bank account and send money directly from it to another person's PayPal account or email address. The money moves from your bank to PayPal, then to the recipient. The process takes about five minutes to set up the first time, and transfers usually land within one to three business days, though PayPal offers a faster option that costs extra.
You do not need the recipient to have a bank account linked to PayPal—they only need a PayPal account or an email address registered with PayPal. If they do not have one, they can create a free account in minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Link your bank account to PayPal once by providing your routing number and account number, which PayPal verifies with two small test deposits.
- Standard transfers from bank account to another person take one to three business days and cost nothing.
- You can send money to someone's PayPal account, email address, or phone number if it is registered with PayPal.
- PayPal's when ready transfer option moves money in minutes but charges a fee of 1.75% of the amount sent, with a minimum fee of 25 cents.
- Your bank may charge you a fee for the outgoing transfer, so check your account terms before you send.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Open PayPal on a computer or the mobile app and go to your account settings. Look for "Linked banks and accounts" or "Bank accounts" depending on which version you are using. Select "Link a bank account" and choose your bank from the list, or enter your bank's name if it does not appear.
PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website and look in the account details section. Enter both numbers and confirm your account type (checking or savings). PayPal will then make two small test deposits to your account—usually between 1 and 3 cents each—within one to two business days.
Once the deposits arrive, go back to PayPal and enter the two amounts to verify the account. After verification, your bank account is linked and ready to use for sending money.
Sending money from your bank account step by step
Log into PayPal and click "Send money" or the send button (usually at the top of the page). Enter the recipient's PayPal email address, phone number registered with PayPal, or their PayPal username. Type the amount you want to send.
On the next screen, PayPal will show you a dropdown menu for payment method. Select your linked bank account from the list. Choose whether you want the standard transfer (one to three business days, no fee) or when ready transfer (minutes, costs 1.75% plus a minimum of 25 cents). Review the total and click "Send."
PayPal will ask you to confirm the recipient's details one more time. Once you confirm, the money is sent. You will see a confirmation number and a record of the transaction in your PayPal activity.
What happens after you send the money
With a standard transfer, the money leaves your bank account within one business day and arrives in the recipient's PayPal account within one to three business days total. PayPal will send you an email when the money is sent and another when it is delivered. The recipient gets a notification that money has arrived in their account.
With an when ready transfer, the money arrives in the recipient's PayPal account within minutes. You pay the fee at the time of sending, and it is deducted from the amount you send. For example, if you send $100 with when ready transfer, the recipient gets $100 but you are charged $1.75, so $101.75 leaves your bank account.
The recipient can then withdraw the money to their own bank account, use it to pay someone else through PayPal, or leave it in their PayPal balance. They do not have to do anything to receive it.
Fees and limits you should know about
PayPal does not charge you a fee for standard transfers from your bank account to another person. However, your bank may charge you a fee for the outgoing transfer—this depends on your account type and your bank's rules. Check your bank's fee schedule or contact them before sending large amounts.
PayPal's when ready transfer option costs 1.75% of the amount sent, with a minimum fee of 25 cents and a maximum fee of $2 per transfer. There is no limit to how many transfers you can make, but PayPal may limit how much you can send in a single transaction based on your account history and verification status. New accounts typically have lower limits that increase over time.
If you are sending money internationally, PayPal charges a currency conversion fee on top of the standard or when ready transfer fee. International transfers also take longer—usually three to five business days for standard transfers.
What to do if the money does not arrive
If a standard transfer does not arrive within three business days, log into PayPal and check the transaction status in your activity or transaction history. The status will show whether the money is pending, sent, or if there was a problem. If it shows "sent," contact PayPal support with the transaction ID (a number that appears in the transaction details).
If PayPal shows the money was sent but your recipient says they did not receive it, ask them to check their spam folder for the PayPal notification email, and have them log into their PayPal account to see if the money is there but they missed the notification. Sometimes the notification email gets filtered.
If the transaction shows an error or failed status, PayPal will usually return the money to your bank account within one to three business days. If it does not return within that time, contact your bank to report the transaction and ask them to investigate.
Troubleshooting common problems
If PayPal will not let you link your bank account, the most common reason is that the routing number or account number is incorrect. Double-check both numbers against your check or your bank's website. Some banks use different routing numbers for different branches, so make sure you have the right one for your specific branch.
If PayPal says your account is not verified, you may need to confirm your email address or provide additional information about yourself. Go to your account settings and look for any prompts about verification. PayPal may ask for a photo ID or other documents if you are sending large amounts.
If you see a message that says you have reached your sending limit, your account has a temporary cap based on how long you have had the account and your transaction history. The limit increases automatically over time, or you can contact PayPal support to request a higher limit if you have a good account history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to someone who does not have a PayPal account?
No, the recipient must have a PayPal account or an email address registered with PayPal. However, they can create a free account in minutes. If you send money to an email address that is not yet on PayPal, PayPal will send them an invitation to claim the money, and they can set up an account at that time.
How long does it take for money to leave my bank account?
With a standard transfer, the money typically leaves your bank account within one business day of when you send it. With an when ready transfer, it leaves when ready. Your bank may show the transaction as pending for a day or two before it fully processes.
What if I send money to the wrong person?
Contact PayPal support when ready with the transaction ID. If the money has not been claimed or withdrawn yet, PayPal may be able to cancel the transfer and return it to you. If the recipient has already withdrawn it, PayPal cannot recover it, and you would need to contact the recipient directly to ask for a refund.
Can I send money from my bank account to a credit card through PayPal?
No, PayPal only sends money from your bank account to another PayPal account or email address registered with PayPal. The recipient cannot receive the money directly on a credit card. However, once the money is in their PayPal account, they can withdraw it to their own bank account or use it to pay bills.
Is it safe to link my bank account to PayPal?
PayPal uses encryption and security measures to protect your bank information. Your actual bank account number is not shared with the recipient—PayPal processes the transfer on your behalf. However, only link your account to PayPal if you trust the platform, and monitor your bank account regularly for unauthorized transactions.