The basic process: Robinhood to your checking account
To move money from Robinhood to your checking account, you initiate a withdrawal through the Robinhood app or website, select your linked bank account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The money typically arrives in one to three business days. You cannot withdraw directly to a debit card or credit card—only to a bank account you have already linked to your Robinhood profile.
Before you can withdraw, you must link your checking account to Robinhood. This requires your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on a check or in your bank's online portal. Robinhood will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your checking account within one to two business days. You then confirm those amounts in the Robinhood app to complete the link.
The withdrawal itself is free. Robinhood does not charge a fee to move money out. Your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer, though most do not—check your bank's fee schedule if you are unsure.
Key Takeaways
- You must link your checking account to Robinhood first by providing your routing and account numbers, then confirming two small test deposits.
- Withdrawals take one to three business days and are free from Robinhood's side, though your bank may charge a fee for incoming transfers.
- You can only withdraw to a linked bank account, not to a debit card, credit card, or PayPal.
- If your withdrawal is rejected or delayed, check that your account information is correct and that your bank has not flagged the transfer as suspicious.
Linking your bank account to Robinhood
Open the Robinhood app or go to robinhood.com and log in. Tap or click the account icon (usually in the bottom right on mobile, top right on desktop), then select "Account Settings" or "Settings." Look for "Linked Banks" or "Bank Accounts" and choose "Add a Bank Account."
Enter your bank's name or routing number. Robinhood will show you a list of banks that match. Select yours. Then enter your account number (the long number on the left side of a check) and confirm the account type (checking or savings). Robinhood will ask you to log in to your bank to verify ownership, or it will send two small deposits to your account.
If Robinhood sends deposits, check your bank account one to two business days later. Log back into Robinhood, go to the linked bank section, and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. Once confirmed, the account is linked and ready for withdrawals.
Starting a withdrawal and what to expect
In the Robinhood app, tap the account icon and select "Transfers" or "Withdraw." Choose the linked bank account where you want the money to go. Enter the dollar amount you want to withdraw. Robinhood will show you the expected arrival date—usually one to three business days from the date you submit the request.
Tap "Confirm" or "Submit." The withdrawal is now in progress. You will see it listed under "Pending Transfers" or "Recent Activity" in your account. Do not close the app or log out; the transfer will continue in the background.
The money will land in your checking account on the date Robinhood specified. If it does not arrive by that date, log back into Robinhood and check the status of the transfer. If it shows "Completed," the delay is on your bank's end—contact your bank to ask where the deposit is.
Why a withdrawal might be rejected or delayed
Robinhood may reject a withdrawal if your linked bank account information is incorrect. Double-check that your routing number and account number match exactly what your bank has on file. A single digit wrong will cause the transfer to fail. If you see an error message, go back to "Linked Banks," select the account, and verify the numbers.
Your bank may delay or reject the transfer if it flags the incoming deposit as suspicious—especially if the transfer is large or if your account has not received transfers from Robinhood before. Your bank may send you an email or text asking you to confirm the transfer. Respond promptly. If your bank blocks it, you will need to contact your bank's customer service to whitelist Robinhood's transfer system or to manually approve the deposit.
Robinhood may also hold a withdrawal if your account has unsettled trades. If you sold stocks or options recently, the proceeds take two business days to settle before you can withdraw them. Robinhood will tell you the settlement date if this is the issue.
Withdrawing from a margin account or after options trading
If you have a Robinhood Margin account (which allows you to borrow money to trade), your withdrawal limit depends on your available cash balance, not your total account value. Robinhood will show you how much you can withdraw in the transfer screen. If you want to withdraw more, you must first close some positions or wait for trades to settle.
If you have traded options, your proceeds settle on a different schedule than stock sales. Stock sales settle in two business days. Options settle in one business day. Robinhood will not let you withdraw unsettled funds, so check the settlement date before you request a withdrawal.
Transferring money back to Robinhood if you need to
If you withdraw money and then want to deposit it back into Robinhood, you can do so through the same linked bank account. Go to "Transfers," select "Deposit," choose your linked bank account, and enter the amount. The deposit will take one to three business days to appear in your Robinhood account as available cash.
Deposits are also free. Robinhood does not charge to receive money from your bank, though your bank may charge a fee for outgoing transfers—again, check your bank's fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw to a different bank account than the one I linked?
No. Robinhood only allows withdrawals to bank accounts you have already linked and verified. If you want to move money to a different bank account, you must first link that account through the same process (routing number, account number, and verification deposits), then withdraw to it.
How long does it really take for money to show up?
Robinhood says one to three business days. Most withdrawals arrive within one or two business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a withdrawal requested on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. If it does not arrive by the third business day, contact Robinhood support with your transfer confirmation number.
What if I withdraw money but then the stock price drops—can I get the money back into Robinhood quickly?
Once money leaves Robinhood, you cannot reverse the withdrawal. You can deposit it back, but that takes another one to three business days. If you are worried about missing a trade, keep cash in Robinhood rather than withdrawing it. You can always move money back in later.
Does Robinhood report withdrawals to the IRS or my bank?
Robinhood reports your investment activity and any gains or losses on your tax forms (Form 1099). Withdrawals themselves are not taxable events—you are moving money you already own. Your bank does not report incoming transfers to the IRS unless the transfer is part of a pattern that triggers reporting rules, which is rare for personal transfers.
Can I set up automatic withdrawals from Robinhood?
Robinhood does not offer automatic recurring withdrawals. Each withdrawal must be initiated manually through the app or website. If you want to move money regularly, you will need to request each withdrawal separately.