The basic steps to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account
To move money from PayPal to your bank account, you log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and request a transfer. PayPal then sends the money to that account over the next few business days. The process takes about three to five business days for most transfers, though it can be faster or slower depending on your bank.
Before you can transfer anything, you need to have already connected a bank account to your PayPal account. If you have not done this yet, you will need your bank's routing number and your account number — both are on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank and ask.
The money you transfer must come from your PayPal balance. If you have money in PayPal from a sale, a refund, or a transfer someone sent you, that balance is what moves to your bank. You cannot transfer money that is not yet in your PayPal account.
Key Takeaways
- You must connect your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number.
- Transfers from PayPal to your bank account take three to five business days, though some banks process them faster.
- You can only transfer money that is already sitting in your PayPal balance, not money you expect to receive later.
- PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers to your bank account, but when ready transfers to a debit card cost a small percentage.
How to connect your bank account to PayPal the first time
Open PayPal on your computer or phone and log in. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then Wallet or Bank Accounts. Select "Link a bank account" or "Add bank account." PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
Your routing number identifies which bank you use. Your account number identifies which account at that bank is yours. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing and account numbers — they can give you both in under a minute.
After you enter this information, PayPal may ask you to confirm the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under one dollar each) into your bank account. When those deposits show up — usually within two business days — you log back into PayPal and enter the amounts to confirm you own the account. This step protects both you and PayPal by proving the account is really yours.
The step-by-step process for a standard transfer
Once your bank account is connected, transferring money is straightforward. Log into PayPal, tap or click on your Wallet (or Balance, depending on whether you are on phone or computer). You will see your PayPal balance at the top. Below that, you should see a button that says "Transfer money" or "Withdraw."
Click that button. PayPal will show you a list of places you can send money — your linked bank account should be one of them. Select your bank account. Then enter the amount you want to transfer. PayPal will show you when the money should arrive (usually three to five business days). Review the details and confirm the transfer.
That is all you do on your end. PayPal handles the rest. You will get an email confirming the transfer was sent. The money will appear in your bank account within the timeframe PayPal gave you. You do not need to do anything else or contact your bank.
Why transfers take three to five business days
The delay is not PayPal being slow — it is how the banking system works. When you transfer money from PayPal to your bank, PayPal sends an electronic instruction to your bank. Your bank then processes that instruction, which involves checking that the account exists, that the routing number is correct, and that there are no fraud flags. This verification takes time.
Business days means Monday through Friday, not counting weekends or federal holidays. If you request a transfer on Friday afternoon, the clock does not start until Monday. A transfer requested Monday might arrive Wednesday or Thursday. One requested Thursday might not arrive until the following Tuesday.
Some banks process transfers faster than others. If your bank is large and has modern systems, your transfer might arrive in two business days. If your bank is smaller or processes transfers in batches, it might take the full five days. You have no control over this — it depends on your bank's internal process.
when ready transfers and when they cost money
PayPal offers an when ready transfer option that moves money to a debit card in minutes instead of days. This is different from a standard transfer to your bank account. when ready transfers go to a debit card you have linked to PayPal, and they cost a small percentage of the amount you transfer — usually between 0.5% and 2%, depending on the amount.
For example, if you transfer $100 when ready to a debit card, you might pay $1 to $2 in fees. The money arrives almost when ready, so you can use it right away. Standard transfers to your bank account have no fee, but you wait three to five days.
when ready transfers are useful if you need cash urgently and do not mind paying a small fee. For everyday transfers where you can wait a few days, the standard transfer with no fee is the better choice.
What to do if your transfer does not arrive on time
If the money does not show up by the date PayPal said it would, first check your PayPal account to confirm the transfer actually went through. Log in, go to your Activity or Transaction History, and look for the transfer. If it shows as "Completed," the money is on its way and your bank just has not processed it yet. Wait one more business day.
If it shows as "Pending," the transfer is still in progress. Do not request another transfer — that can cause confusion. Wait for the first one to complete.
If the transfer shows as "Failed" or "Cancelled," PayPal will have sent the money back to your PayPal balance. Check that your bank account information is still correct in your PayPal settings. Sometimes a bank updates its routing number or your account gets flagged, and PayPal cannot complete the transfer. Contact your bank to confirm your routing and account numbers are current, then try the transfer again.
Common reasons a transfer might fail or be delayed
The most common reason is a mismatch between the account information you gave PayPal and what your bank has on file. If you entered your account number wrong, or if your bank recently changed your routing number, the transfer will fail. Double-check both numbers against a recent check or your bank's website.
Another reason is that your bank account is too new. Some banks will not accept transfers to accounts that are less than a few days old. If you just opened the account, wait a week before trying to transfer.
Fraud holds can also delay transfers. If PayPal or your bank suspects unusual activity, they may hold the transfer for review. This usually resolves within one business day, but it can take longer. You will get an email if this happens.
Finally, if you have reached a transfer limit, PayPal will not let you send more money until the limit resets. PayPal sets limits based on your account history and how long you have been a user. If you hit a limit, you will see a message telling you so. The limit usually resets the next day or the next week, depending on PayPal's rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?
No. You can only transfer money from your PayPal account to a bank account that is registered in your name. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send money" feature to transfer it to their PayPal account or email address instead.
What if I do not have a bank account yet?
You cannot transfer money from PayPal without a bank account connected. You can keep money in your PayPal balance and use it to pay for things online, or you can request a PayPal Cash Card (a debit card) and use when ready transfers to load money onto it, though that costs a fee.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?
PayPal sets transfer limits based on your account age, history, and activity. New accounts have lower limits. As your account gets older and you complete more transactions, your limit increases. You can see your limit in your PayPal settings under Wallet or Limits. If you hit your limit, you can transfer again the next day or week.
Do I pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank account?
Transferring money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event — you are just moving money you already earned. However, the money itself may be taxable depending on where it came from. If it came from selling something or providing a service, that income is taxable. Talk to a tax professional about what you owe.
Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?
If the transfer is still pending, you can usually cancel it through your PayPal activity. If it has already been processed and sent to your bank, you cannot cancel it through PayPal. Contact your bank to see if they can reverse it, though this is not always possible.