What a Square payment link is and why you'd use one

A payment link in Square is a URL you can send to someone — through text, email, or social media — that takes them directly to a checkout page where they can pay you. You don't need a website or a physical card reader. The person clicks the link, enters their payment information, and the money goes into your Square account.

Payment links work for one-time charges or recurring payments. You might use one to collect a deposit before a service, to invoice a client after work is done, or to sell something to someone who isn't in front of you. Square handles the payment processing and deposits the funds to your bank account, usually within one to two business days.

The link itself is permanent — you can reuse it, share it with multiple people, or create a new one for each transaction. Square tracks every payment made through each link, so you can see who paid and when.

Key Takeaways

  • Payment links are created in your Square Dashboard under the Invoices or Payment Links section, depending on your Square product.
  • You set the amount, add an optional description, and Square generates a shareable URL that you send to the customer.
  • Customers can pay with a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay — they don't need a Square account.
  • Square charges its standard processing fee (usually 2.6% plus $0.10 per transaction for online payments) when the payment link is used.
  • Payment links work on any device with internet access and don't require you to be online at the moment the customer pays.

Where to find the payment link feature in Square

Log into your Square Dashboard on a computer or mobile device. The exact location depends on which Square product you use.

If you use Square Invoices, go to the Invoices tab on the left menu. You can create an invoice and Square will generate a payment link automatically when you send it. If you use Square Online (Square's website builder), payment links are built into your product pages. If you use the basic Square Point of Sale app, look for a "Invoices" or "Requests" section in the menu.

The simplest route for a one-off payment link is the Invoices section. Click "Create Invoice" and you'll see options to add the amount, customer details, and a description. Once you save it, Square generates a link you can copy and share.

Step-by-step: creating a payment link

Open your Square Dashboard and navigate to Invoices. Click the button to create a new invoice (the label varies — it might say "New Invoice" or a plus icon).

Fill in the amount you want to charge. You can add a description of what the payment is for — this appears on the invoice the customer sees. Add the customer's name and email if you have it; Square will send them the link automatically if you provide an email address. If you don't have their email, you can copy the link and send it yourself through text, messenger, or any other method.

Set the due date if you want one (optional). Choose whether this is a one-time charge or a recurring payment. If it's recurring, Square will ask how often — weekly, monthly, yearly — and when to start.

Review the details and click "Send" or "Save." Square generates a unique payment link. If you chose to send it by email, Square handles that. If you want to share it another way, copy the link from the invoice and paste it wherever you need it.

What happens when someone uses your payment link

When a customer clicks the link, they land on a checkout page that shows your business name, the amount, and the description you added. They enter their payment information — card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address — or use a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay if they're on a phone.

Square processes the payment in real time. If it goes through, the customer sees a confirmation page and usually receives a receipt by email. You receive a notification in your Square Dashboard that the payment came in, and the funds are added to your Square account balance.

You can see every payment made through each link in your Dashboard. Square shows you the customer's name, the amount, the date, and the payment method. If a payment fails, you'll see that too, and you can follow up with the customer.

Fees and what gets deposited to your bank account

Square charges a processing fee for every payment made through a payment link. For online payments (which is what a payment link is), the standard rate is 2.6% of the transaction plus $0.10. So if someone pays you $100 through a payment link, Square takes $2.70 and you receive $97.30.

Some Square plans offer different rates — for example, Square Plus subscribers get a lower rate on online payments. Check your current plan in the Dashboard under Settings to see your exact fee.

The money, minus the fee, deposits to your connected bank account. Deposits usually arrive within one to two business days, though timing depends on your bank. You can see pending and completed deposits in the Deposits section of your Dashboard.

Customizing and reusing payment links

You can reuse the same payment link multiple times. If you create a link for a $50 service fee, you can send that same link to ten different customers and each one will pay $50. Square tracks each payment separately.

You can also edit an invoice before sending it — change the amount, description, or due date. Once you've sent it, you can still edit it in your Dashboard, though changes won't affect payments already made.

If you want to create a link for a different amount or a different service, create a new invoice. This keeps your records organized and makes it easier to track what each payment was for.

Troubleshooting common issues

If a customer says they can't access the link, first check that you sent the correct URL. Copy it directly from your Dashboard rather than typing it by hand — typos break the link. If the link is correct and they still can't open it, the issue is usually on their end: a slow internet connection, an outdated browser, or a firewall blocking the payment page. Ask them to try a different device or browser.

If a payment fails, Square shows you the reason — usually "insufficient funds," "card expired," or "incorrect CVV." You can contact the customer and ask them to try again with a different card or payment method. Some customers see a decline and don't realize they can retry; a quick message often solves it.

If you don't see a payment in your Dashboard after a customer says they paid, wait a few minutes — Square sometimes takes a moment to process. If it still doesn't show after 15 minutes, ask the customer to check their bank or card statement to confirm the charge went through. If their bank shows the charge but your Dashboard doesn't, contact Square Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the amount after I send a payment link?

You can edit the invoice in your Dashboard, but the customer will see the new amount if they haven't paid yet. If they've already paid, the original amount stands. For a different amount, create a new invoice and send a new link.

Do customers need a Square account to pay?

No. Customers only need a debit or credit card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay. They don't create an account or sign up for anything — they just enter their payment information on the checkout page.

Can I send a payment link through text message?

Yes. Copy the link from your Dashboard and paste it into a text, email, or any messaging app. The customer clicks it and pays. Square doesn't send the text for you, but you can.

What if a customer pays twice by accident?

You'll see both payments in your Dashboard. You can refund one of them by going to the transaction, clicking the menu, and selecting "Refund." The refund goes back to their original payment method within one to two business days.

Can I use a payment link for recurring charges?

Yes. When you create an invoice, you can set it to repeat weekly, monthly, or yearly. Square charges the customer on the schedule you set. You can cancel a recurring link anytime from your Dashboard.