How to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account

You can move money from PayPal to a linked bank account in two to three business days using PayPal's standard transfer, or in one business day using their faster option (which costs a small fee). The process takes about two minutes: you log into PayPal, go to your wallet, select the bank account you want the money to go to, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal will then send the funds on the schedule you chose.

The bank account must be linked to your PayPal account first. If you have not done this yet, you will need your routing number and account number — both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website or calling the number on the back of your debit card.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal's standard transfer takes two to three business days and has no fee; the faster one-business-day option costs around $0.25 to $1.50 depending on the amount.
  • You must link your bank account to PayPal before you can transfer money, which requires your routing number and account number.
  • Transfers happen on a schedule you choose each time — you are not setting up an automatic recurring payment unless you choose to.
  • Money leaves your PayPal balance when ready when you request the transfer, even though it takes time to arrive at your bank.

Linking your bank account to PayPal

Before you can transfer money out, PayPal needs to know which bank account to send it to. Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app, then go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right on a computer, or the menu icon on the app). Select Wallet or Linked Accounts, then choose 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 is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. Your account number is unique to your account. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website, call the number on the back of your debit card, or visit a branch — any of these will give you the numbers you need.

After you enter this information, PayPal will make two small test deposits to your bank account (usually $0.01 and $0.02) within one to two business days. You then log back into PayPal and confirm the two amounts you received. This confirms that you own the account. Once confirmed, the account is linked and ready to use.

Choosing between standard and faster transfers

PayPal offers two ways to move money out. Standard transfers take two to three business days and cost nothing. when ready transfers (PayPal calls this "1-business-day transfer" or sometimes "express transfer") arrive the next business day but cost a fee — typically $0.25 for amounts under $100, and up to $1.50 for larger amounts, though the exact fee depends on the amount you are sending.

The fee is deducted from the amount you are transferring. So if you request a $100 when ready transfer and the fee is $1.50, your bank account will receive $98.50. You see the fee amount before you confirm the transfer, so you can decide whether to pay it or use the free standard option instead.

Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you request a transfer on a Friday evening, the standard option will arrive on the following Tuesday or Wednesday, not Monday. If you request an when ready transfer on a Friday, it will arrive on Monday.

The step-by-step transfer process

Once your bank account is linked and confirmed, transferring money takes about two minutes. On a computer, log into PayPal, click Wallet in the top menu, then click Transfer Money. On the app, tap the menu icon, then Wallet, then Transfer Money.

Select "Transfer to your bank" from the options shown. PayPal will display any bank accounts you have linked. Click the one you want the money to go to. Enter the amount you want to transfer — you can transfer any amount up to your PayPal balance. PayPal will show you which transfer speed is available (standard, when ready, or both) and the fee if you choose when ready. Select your preferred speed and click Transfer.

Review the confirmation screen to make sure the amount, destination account, and speed are correct. Click Confirm Transfer. The money leaves your PayPal balance when ready, and you will see the transaction in your PayPal activity. Your bank account will show the deposit on the timeline you chose — two to three business days for standard, one business day for when ready.

What happens if the transfer fails

Transfers occasionally fail if the bank account information is wrong, the account has been closed, or the account is flagged for fraud. If this happens, PayPal will send you an email explaining why and the money will return to your PayPal balance within three to five business days. You can then correct the account information and try again.

If you do not receive the money in your bank account within the timeframe PayPal promised, check your PayPal activity first to confirm the transfer actually went through. Then log into your bank account and search your transaction history for the PayPal deposit — sometimes it appears under a different name or takes longer than expected. If you still cannot find it after the promised timeframe has passed, contact PayPal support with the transaction ID from your PayPal activity, and they can investigate where the money went.

Transferring money without linking a bank account

If you do not want to link a permanent bank account, PayPal offers one alternative: you can transfer money to a debit card instead of a bank account. The process is the same — you add the debit card to your PayPal wallet, then transfer money to it. The money arrives faster (usually within one business day) but PayPal charges a fee for this option as well.

Some people also use PayPal's Cash Card, a debit card issued by PayPal that is linked directly to your PayPal balance. You can use it to spend money directly from PayPal without transferring to a bank account first. However, this does not move money out of PayPal — it just lets you spend it from a card instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it really take for the money to show up in my bank account?

Standard transfers take two to three business days from the moment you request them. when ready transfers take one business day. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you request a transfer on a weekend or holiday, the clock starts the next business day.

Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?

You can cancel a standard transfer within 30 minutes of requesting it — after that, it is locked in. when ready transfers cannot be cancelled once requested. If you need to cancel, go to your PayPal activity, find the transfer, and look for a Cancel option. If it is not there, the window has closed and you will need to wait for the money to arrive, then transfer it back if you want.

What if I transfer more money than I actually have in PayPal?

PayPal will not let you transfer more than your current balance. The transfer screen will show your available balance and will not allow you to enter an amount higher than that.

Do I have to use the same bank account every time?

No. You can link multiple bank accounts to PayPal and choose which one to transfer to each time you move money. You can also change which account you use without unlinking the others.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?

PayPal limits transfers based on your account history and how long you have been using PayPal. New accounts have lower limits, which increase over time. You can see your transfer limit by going to Settings and checking your account limits. If you hit the limit, you can request a higher limit through PayPal, or wait until your limit resets (usually monthly).