The basic process: three steps and a few days

To move money from Robinhood to your bank account, you go to the Account menu, select "Transfers", choose "Withdraw", enter the amount, pick your linked bank account, and confirm. Robinhood then sends the money to your bank, which usually takes 1 to 3 business days to arrive. You cannot withdraw money that is tied up in open trades or unsettled cash — you can only move cash that is fully available and settled.

The most common reason a withdrawal fails is that the cash in your Robinhood account is not yet settled. When you sell a stock or close a position, Robinhood marks the cash as pending for two business days (this is a federal rule, not a Robinhood choice). Until those two days pass, you cannot move that money out. If you try to withdraw and get an error, check whether your cash shows as "Unsettled" in your Account balance — if it does, wait until the settlement date passes.

You also cannot withdraw money if you have open trades or pending orders. Close or cancel those first, then wait for settlement, then withdraw.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only withdraw cash that is fully settled — money from recent sales sits as unsettled for two business days and cannot be moved until that period ends.
  • The withdrawal itself takes 1 to 3 business days after you request it, so plan ahead if you need the money on a specific date.
  • Your bank account must already be linked to your Robinhood account before you can withdraw; linking a new account adds an extra verification step that can take a few days.
  • If you have a margin account (borrowed money), you may have restrictions on withdrawals until your margin balance is paid off.

Linking your bank account to Robinhood

Before you can withdraw, Robinhood needs to know which bank account to send the money to. You link this in the Account menu under "Transfers" — select "Link a bank account" and enter your routing number and account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website and look for account details.

After you enter the information, Robinhood will make two small test deposits to your bank account (usually $0.01 and $0.02) within 1 to 2 business days. Your bank will show these as pending deposits. Once they arrive, you go back to Robinhood, confirm the amounts, and the account is linked. Only then can you withdraw to that account.

If you are linking a new account for the first time, this verification step adds 2 to 4 days to the total time before money reaches your bank. Plan accordingly if you need the cash by a certain date.

What happens if your withdrawal is rejected

A withdrawal can fail for a few reasons. The most common is that your cash is not yet settled — check your Account balance and look for the word "Unsettled" next to any recent sales. If you see it, wait until the settlement date (shown in your transaction history) before trying again.

Another reason is a mismatch between the bank account information you entered and what your bank has on file. If Robinhood rejects your withdrawal, double-check that your routing number and account number are correct. A single wrong digit will cause the transfer to fail. If you are unsure, log into your bank's website or call the number on the back of your debit card to confirm.

If your bank account is new or recently changed, your bank may also block the transfer as a fraud prevention step. In that case, contact your bank directly and tell them to expect a transfer from Robinhood. They can whitelist the sender and allow the transfer through.

Timing: when the money actually arrives

The withdrawal process has two separate waiting periods, and it helps to understand both. First, Robinhood processes your request and sends it to the banking system — this usually happens the same business day if you request it before 4 p.m. ET on a weekday. Second, your bank receives the transfer and deposits it into your account — this takes 1 to 3 business days depending on your bank.

Weekends and holidays add extra time. If you request a withdrawal on Friday afternoon, Robinhood may not send it until Monday, and your bank may not deposit it until Wednesday or Thursday. If you need money by a specific date, request the withdrawal at least 5 business days before you need it.

You can check the status of a withdrawal in your Account menu under "Transfers" — it will show as "Pending" until your bank deposits it, then it disappears from the list once it is complete.

Margin accounts and withdrawal limits

If you have a margin account (an account that lets you borrow money to buy stocks), you may not be able to withdraw all your cash. Robinhood requires you to keep a minimum amount in your account to cover any borrowed money. If you have borrowed $500, for example, you cannot withdraw cash that would bring your account below that $500 threshold.

To check whether you have a margin account, go to Account and look for "Account Type" — it will say either "Cash" or "Margin". If it says Margin and you want to withdraw more, you need to pay back the borrowed amount first. You can do this by depositing money into Robinhood or by selling stocks and letting the proceeds settle.

Withdrawing to a different bank account

You can link multiple bank accounts to Robinhood and withdraw to any of them. Each new account goes through the same verification process with the two test deposits. Once verified, you can choose which account to send money to each time you withdraw.

If you want to remove a linked bank account, go to Account, select "Transfers", find the account in your list, and delete it. You cannot withdraw to an account that is no longer linked, so if you accidentally delete the wrong one, you will need to link it again and wait for verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money the same day I sell a stock?

No. When you sell a stock, the cash is marked as unsettled for two business days. You cannot withdraw unsettled cash. After those two days pass, you can withdraw when ready. If you sell on a Monday, the cash settles on Wednesday, and you can withdraw on Wednesday or later.

What if I withdraw money but then change my mind?

Once Robinhood sends the withdrawal to your bank, you cannot cancel it. If the transfer has not yet arrived at your bank, contact Robinhood support and ask them to recall it — they may be able to stop it if it has not been processed yet. If it has already arrived at your bank, you will need to deposit it back into Robinhood manually.

Do I have to pay taxes on money I withdraw?

Withdrawing your own money is not a taxable event. However, if you sold stocks at a profit, you owe taxes on the gain, not on the withdrawal itself. Robinhood sends you a tax form (Form 1099) at the end of the year showing your gains and losses. Withdrawing the money does not change what you owe.

Why does my withdrawal say pending for so long?

Robinhood's part usually takes one business day. The delay is almost always your bank. Some banks process transfers more slowly than others, and some hold transfers for fraud review. If it has been more than 3 business days, contact your bank and ask them to check on the incoming transfer from Robinhood.

Can I withdraw if I have pending orders?

No. You must cancel all pending buy and sell orders before you can withdraw. Once an order is cancelled and the cash settles (if you sold), you can withdraw. Check your Orders tab to see if anything is still pending.