The basic steps to send money through PayPal

To send money using PayPal, you log into your account, click "Send & Request," enter the recipient's email address or phone number, type the amount, and confirm the payment. PayPal then transfers the money from your account to theirs — either when ready or within a few business days, depending on how both accounts are set up.

The process takes about two minutes once you have your PayPal account open. You do not need the recipient's bank details or routing numbers. PayPal handles the transfer behind the scenes, and the recipient gets a notification that money has arrived.

Before you send for the first time, make sure your PayPal account has a payment method attached — either a bank account, debit card, or credit card. Without one, PayPal will not let you send money.

Key Takeaways

  • You only need the recipient's email address or phone number to send money through PayPal, not their bank details.
  • Money can arrive when ready or within a few business days depending on whether both accounts are linked to banks.
  • Your PayPal account must have a payment method attached before you can send money for the first time.
  • PayPal charges a fee for sending money to someone in a different country, but sending within the United States is free.
  • Once you send money, you can see the transaction in your PayPal activity history and read a record if you need it.

Setting up your PayPal account to send money

Before you can send your first payment, PayPal needs to know where the money is coming from. Log into your account and go to "Wallet" or "Settings" — the exact location depends on whether you are using the app or the website. Look for "Payment methods" or "Linked accounts."

Add a bank account, debit card, or credit card. If you add a bank account, PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number — you can find these on a check or by logging into your bank's website. If you add a debit or credit card, you just need the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back.

PayPal may ask you to confirm the bank account by depositing two small amounts into it and having you report the amounts back. This takes a few days but only happens once. After that, your account is ready to send money.

How to send money to someone's email or phone number

Open PayPal on the website or app and click "Send & Request" or "Send Money." A box will appear asking for the recipient's information. Type in their email address or phone number — whichever one they use with their PayPal account.

Enter the amount you want to send. PayPal will show you the total, including any fees if you are sending to another country. For payments within the United States, there is no fee when you send from a bank account or debit card.

Add a note if you want — for example, "rent for March" or "lunch money." This is optional but helpful so the recipient knows why they received the payment. Then click "Send" or "Next," review the details one more time, and confirm.

The difference between when ready and standard transfers

When you send money, PayPal offers two speeds. when ready transfer moves the money to the recipient's bank account within minutes, but it only works if both of you have bank accounts linked to PayPal and you are sending within the United States. when ready transfer costs a small fee — usually between 25 and 50 cents.

Standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. The money goes to the recipient's PayPal account first, and then they can transfer it to their own bank account if they want. If the recipient does not have a PayPal account yet, they will receive an email inviting them to create one and claim the money.

You choose which speed you want at the moment you send. If you are not sure which one to pick, standard transfer is always available and costs nothing.

What happens after you send the payment

Once you confirm the payment, PayPal shows you a confirmation screen with a reference number. Save this number or take a screenshot — you may need it later if there is a question about the payment.

The recipient gets a notification by email or text message (depending on how their account is set up) that they have received money. They can see it in their PayPal account right away. If they chose to have it go to their bank account, it will arrive there within the timeframe you selected.

You can see the transaction in your PayPal activity history at any time. Click on the transaction to see details like the date, amount, recipient, and whether it has been delivered. PayPal keeps this record for your own reference.

Sending money to someone without a PayPal account

If the person you want to pay does not have a PayPal account, you can still send them money. Enter their email address or phone number as usual. PayPal will send them an email or text inviting them to create an account and claim the money.

They have 30 days to accept the payment. If they do not create an account within that time, the money returns to your PayPal account automatically. Once they do create an account and claim the money, it is theirs to keep or transfer to their bank.

This is a common way to send money to family members or friends who are new to PayPal. They do not have to set anything up in advance — the invitation walks them through it.

Fees and limits on PayPal payments

Sending money to someone in the United States from your bank account or debit card is free. If you send from a credit card, PayPal charges a fee — usually around 2.2% of the amount plus a flat fee. Sending to someone in another country costs a fee that varies by country.

PayPal also sets limits on how much you can send. New accounts usually have lower limits — often a few hundred dollars per transaction. As your account gets older and you build a history of payments, PayPal raises these limits. You can see your current limit in your account settings under "Limits."

If you hit your limit, you can still send money, but PayPal will hold it for a few days while they verify the transaction. This is a security measure. Once verified, the payment goes through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a payment after I send it?

If the payment has not been claimed or deposited yet, you can cancel it and the money returns to your account. Once the recipient has claimed it or it has been transferred to their bank, you cannot cancel it. You would need to ask them to send the money back.

What if I send money to the wrong person by mistake?

Contact PayPal right away through the Resolution Center in your account. If the recipient has not claimed the money yet, PayPal can cancel it. If they have claimed it, PayPal can contact them and ask them to return it, but they are not required to.

Is it safe to send money through PayPal?

PayPal encrypts your information and does not share your bank details with the recipient. The main risk is sending money to someone you do not know or trust. Once the money is claimed, it is difficult to get back, so only send to people you are sure about.

Do I need a credit card to use PayPal?

No. You can link a bank account or debit card instead. A debit card works the same way as a credit card for PayPal purposes — PayPal just needs a way to pull money from your account.

How long does it take for the recipient to see the money?

With when ready transfer, they see it in their bank account within minutes. With standard transfer, it appears in their PayPal account when ready but takes one to three business days to reach their bank account if they transfer it there.