The basic path: log in, find the recipient, enter the amount, confirm

To send money through PayPal, you log into your account, click "Send Money" or "Transfer Funds" (the exact button name depends on whether you're on desktop or mobile), enter the recipient's email address or phone number, type the amount, and confirm the transaction. The money leaves your PayPal balance or linked bank account when ready, though it may take a day or two to reach the other person depending on their account type and location.

The process takes about two minutes if you have a PayPal account already set up with a payment method attached. If you don't have an account yet, you'll need to create one first—that adds another five to ten minutes and requires an email address and a valid payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account).

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal transfers from your account balance or linked payment method when ready, but the recipient may not see the money for one to two business days.
  • You can send money to anyone with an email address or phone number registered to a PayPal account, whether they're in the US or abroad.
  • Sending money to friends and family costs nothing; sending to a business account or paying for goods and services includes a fee.
  • If the recipient doesn't have a PayPal account, PayPal can send them a notification to claim the money, but they must create an account to receive it.

Step-by-step: desktop and mobile differ slightly

On desktop: Log in to PayPal.com. At the top of the page, click "Send Money" (or look for a transfer icon). Enter the recipient's email address or phone number in the field that appears. Type the amount you want to send. Select whether this is a payment to a friend or family member (no fee) or a payment for goods or services (includes a fee). Review the details and click "Send" or "Continue" to confirm.

On mobile: Open the PayPal app. Tap the icon at the bottom that looks like a person with a plus sign (usually labeled "Send" or "Transfer"). Enter the recipient's email or phone number. Type the amount. Choose the payment type (friends and family or goods and services). Tap "Send" to complete the transaction.

The exact wording and button placement shift between the app and the website, and PayPal updates these regularly. If you can't find the "Send Money" button, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) and search for "send" or "transfer" in the options that appear.

What happens after you hit send

Once you confirm the transaction, PayPal deducts the money from your account balance or charges your linked payment method (usually a bank account or debit card) right away. You'll see a confirmation screen with a transaction ID, and PayPal will send you an email receipt.

The recipient receives a notification that money has been sent to them. If they have a PayPal account, the money typically appears in their account within one to two business days. If they don't have an account, PayPal sends them a message asking them to create one to claim the funds—they have 30 days to do so, or the money returns to you.

If you need to cancel a payment before the recipient claims it, you can do so from your transaction history. Once they've accepted it, you cannot reverse the transaction unless you contact PayPal directly and request a refund.

Fees depend on the payment type and recipient location

Sending money to a friend or family member in the US costs nothing, regardless of the amount. Sending money to a business account or paying for goods and services includes a fee—typically 2.2% of the amount plus $0.30 for US transactions, though this varies by country.

International transfers cost more. If you're sending money outside the US, PayPal charges a percentage of the amount plus a flat fee that depends on the destination country. You'll see the exact fee before you confirm the transaction, so you know the total cost before your money leaves your account.

Some PayPal accounts have a monthly sending limit—usually $20,000 for unverified accounts and higher for verified ones. If you hit your limit, you'll see a message when you try to send, and you'll need to wait until the next month or verify your account to send more.

When the recipient doesn't have a PayPal account

If you send money to someone who isn't registered with PayPal, PayPal holds the funds and sends the recipient an email or text message (depending on what you provided) asking them to create an account and claim the money. The recipient has 30 days to do so.

If they don't claim the money within 30 days, PayPal returns it to your account automatically. You don't have to do anything—the refund happens on its own. If the recipient creates an account and claims the money, it moves into their PayPal balance, and they can then transfer it to their own bank account if they want.

Sending money to a phone number instead of an email

PayPal lets you send money using a phone number instead of an email address, but only if that phone number is registered to a PayPal account. When you enter a phone number, PayPal looks it up in its system. If it finds an account, the transaction works the same way as sending to an email address.

If the phone number isn't registered to any PayPal account, the transaction will fail, and you'll see an error message. In that case, ask the recipient for their PayPal email address instead, or ask them to register their phone number with PayPal first.

What to do if a payment fails or gets stuck

A payment can fail for several reasons: insufficient funds in your account, an expired or invalid payment method, a problem with the recipient's account, or a temporary system issue on PayPal's end. If your payment fails, you'll see an error message explaining why, and your money won't leave your account.

If a payment appears to be stuck—you sent it but the recipient hasn't received it after two business days—check your transaction history to confirm the status. If it shows as "completed" or "sent," contact PayPal support with your transaction ID. If it shows as "pending," wait another business day before contacting support, as delays sometimes resolve on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to someone in another country?

Yes, but fees are higher for international transfers. PayPal charges a percentage of the amount plus a flat fee that varies by destination country. You'll see the total cost before you confirm, so you know exactly what you're paying. Some countries have restrictions, so PayPal will tell you if the recipient's location isn't supported.

What's the difference between sending to friends and family versus goods and services?

Friends and family transfers are free and have no buyer protection—you're trusting the recipient not to dispute the payment. Goods and services payments include a fee but come with buyer protection if something goes wrong with the transaction. Use friends and family only for people you trust.

How long does it take for the money to show up?

PayPal deducts the money from your account when ready, but the recipient usually sees it within one to two business days. Weekends and holidays can add time. International transfers take longer, sometimes three to five business days depending on the destination country.

Can I undo a payment after I send it?

You can cancel a payment only if the recipient hasn't claimed it yet. Once they've accepted the money, you cannot undo it through PayPal's system. Your only option is to contact PayPal support and request a refund, which they may or may not grant depending on the circumstances.

What if I enter the wrong email address?

If you send money to the wrong email address, PayPal holds it for 30 days while it tries to notify that address. If the person doesn't claim it, the money returns to your account automatically. You can then resend it to the correct address. If the wrong recipient does claim it, contact PayPal support when ready with your transaction ID.