Yes, you can pay Amazon with your bank account directly
Amazon accepts bank account payments through a service called Amazon Pay, which lets you link your checking or savings account to your Amazon account and use it to buy things. When you choose this payment method at checkout, Amazon pulls the money directly from your bank account instead of requiring a credit or debit card.
You can also add your bank account to your regular Amazon account for one-click purchases, though this is less common than using a debit card. The process is straightforward: you provide your routing number and account number, Amazon verifies the account with two small deposits, and then you can use it to pay.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Pay lets you link a checking or savings account to your Amazon account and use it to pay for purchases without a credit card.
- To set up bank account payments, you need your routing number and account number, which you can find on the bottom left of your checks or in your bank's app.
- Amazon verifies your account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) and asking you to confirm the exact totals, which takes one to two business days.
- Once verified, your bank account appears as a payment option at checkout, and Amazon withdraws money directly from your account when you complete a purchase.
- Some bank accounts may have limits on how much you can spend per transaction or per month, depending on your bank's rules.
How to link your bank account to Amazon
Start by going to your Amazon account settings. Click on "Login & security" or "Your Account," then look for "Payment options" or "Manage payment methods." Select "Add a bank account" or "Add a new payment method" and choose the bank account option.
Amazon will ask for your routing number and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. Your account number is the unique number for your checking or savings account. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have, or you can find them in your bank's mobile app or by calling your bank.
Enter these numbers carefully — a mistake here means the verification won't work. Once you submit, Amazon will tell you it will deposit two small amounts into your account within one to two business days.
Verifying your account with the test deposits
Amazon's verification process protects both you and the company by confirming you actually own the account. After you provide your routing and account numbers, Amazon deposits two small amounts — usually between 1 and 99 cents each — into your account. These deposits appear in your bank account within one to two business days.
Once the deposits show up, go back to your Amazon account and select the option to verify your bank account. Amazon will ask you to enter the exact amounts of both deposits. If you enter them correctly, your account is verified and ready to use.
If you don't see the deposits after two business days, check that you entered your routing and account numbers correctly. If they were wrong, you may need to start over with the correct information. If you entered them correctly but still don't see deposits, contact your bank to confirm the account is set up to receive transfers.
Using your bank account to pay for Amazon purchases
Once your account is verified, your bank account shows up as a payment option when you're checking out. Select it the same way you would select a credit card, and Amazon withdraws the money directly from your account when you complete the purchase.
The withdrawal usually happens within one to two business days, so you may see a pending charge in your bank account before the money actually leaves. This is normal — your bank is holding the amount while Amazon processes it.
You can use your bank account for one-time purchases, subscriptions (like Prime), and even third-party seller purchases on Amazon. However, some sellers or services may not accept bank account payments, in which case you'll need to use a different payment method.
Limits and restrictions on bank account payments
Your bank may set limits on how much money can be transferred out of your account in a single transaction or over a period of time. These limits vary by bank and by the type of account you have. Some banks allow larger transfers if you call ahead and request it, while others have hard limits they won't increase.
If you try to make a purchase that exceeds your bank's transfer limit, the payment will be declined at checkout. In that case, you can either use a different payment method or contact your bank to ask about increasing your transfer limit.
Amazon also has its own fraud protections, which means very large or unusual purchases might be flagged for review. If this happens, Amazon may contact you to confirm the purchase before processing it.
What to do if your bank account payment is declined
A declined payment usually means one of three things: your bank account doesn't have enough money, your bank's transfer limit was exceeded, or there's a problem with the account verification. Check your bank balance first — if you have enough money, contact your bank to ask whether they declined the transfer and why.
If your bank says they didn't decline it, the problem may be with the verification. Go back to your Amazon payment settings and check whether your bank account still shows as verified. If it doesn't, you may need to verify it again with the test deposit method.
If you can't figure out why the payment was declined, you can contact Amazon's customer service through your account. They can see what happened on their end and may be able to help you fix it.
Removing your bank account from Amazon
If you no longer want to use your bank account to pay Amazon, you can remove it from your payment methods at any time. Go to your account settings, find your payment methods, and select the option to delete or remove your bank account. This doesn't close your bank account — it just disconnects it from Amazon.
If you've already made a purchase and want to cancel it, removing your bank account won't stop the payment if it's already been processed. You'll need to contact Amazon customer service to request a refund instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to use Amazon if I link my bank account?
No. Once your bank account is verified, you can use it as your primary payment method for most Amazon purchases. However, some third-party sellers or services may only accept credit cards, so having a backup payment method is helpful.
Is it safe to give Amazon my routing and account number?
Yes. Amazon uses the same security standards as banks and other financial institutions. Your routing and account numbers are encrypted, and Amazon only uses them to verify your account and process payments you authorize.
How long does it take for money to leave my account after I buy something?
The withdrawal usually appears in your bank account within one to two business days. You may see a pending charge when ready after purchase, but the actual money doesn't leave until the transaction processes.
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. Amazon accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is the same — you provide your routing and account number, verify with the test deposits, and then use it to pay.
What happens if I move to a different bank?
Your old bank account will no longer work for Amazon purchases. You'll need to remove the old account from your payment methods and add your new bank account using the same verification process.