Yes, you can send money from PayPal to your bank account
PayPal lets you transfer your balance to a linked bank account in the United States, and the money lands in your account within one to three business days using the standard transfer method. You can also pay for things directly from your PayPal balance without touching your bank account, but if you want the cash in your checking or savings account, the transfer process is straightforward and costs nothing.
The speed and cost depend on which transfer method you choose. Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days. Instant transfers cost between 25 cents and $2 per transfer (PayPal charges a percentage of the amount, capped at $2) and land in your account within 30 minutes. If you need the money urgently, instant transfer is worth the fee. If you can wait a few days, standard is free.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take one to three business days.
- Instant transfers cost 25 cents to $2 and arrive within 30 minutes, but only if your bank participates in the program.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal before you can transfer money, and PayPal will verify it with two small deposits.
- PayPal holds transfers for up to 21 days if it suspects fraud, but most transfers clear without delay.
- You cannot transfer money that is held, limited, or under dispute; you can only move your available balance.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money, you need to add your bank account to PayPal. Log into your PayPal account, go to Wallet, select Link a Bank Account, and enter your routing number and account number. You can find both on the bottom left of a check, or call your bank to ask.
PayPal will then send two small deposits (usually between 1 and 2 dollars each) to your bank account over one to two business days. Once they arrive, log back into PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and enter the two amounts to confirm you own the account. After verification, your account is linked and ready to use.
If you do not want to wait for the deposits, some banks let you verify instantly through your online banking login. PayPal will ask if your bank is on the list; if it is, you can connect directly and skip the deposit step.
Standard transfers: free but slower
A standard transfer takes one to three business days and costs nothing. This is the default option when you go to transfer money. PayPal processes the transfer on the same day you request it (if you request before 5 p.m. Pacific time on a weekday), but your bank controls when the money actually appears in your account—usually the next business day, sometimes two.
Weekends and bank holidays add time. If you request a transfer on Friday evening, it may not land until Tuesday. If you request it on a holiday, the clock does not start until the next business day. PayPal's one to three business days estimate accounts for this variation.
Instant transfers: fast but with a fee
Instant transfers arrive within 30 minutes and cost between 25 cents and $2 per transfer. The fee is a percentage of the amount you transfer (1% of the total), capped at $2. So transferring $50 costs 50 cents; transferring $200 costs $2. Amounts under $25 cost 25 cents flat.
Not every bank participates in instant transfer. When you go to transfer money, PayPal will tell you whether your bank is may be able to access. If it is not, you can still use standard transfer for free, or you can add a debit card to your PayPal account and transfer to that instead (debit card transfers are also instant and cost the same fee).
Instant transfers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. If you need money on a Sunday morning, instant transfer is your only option.
What happens if PayPal holds your transfer
PayPal sometimes holds transfers for up to 21 days if it thinks the activity is unusual or risky. This is not a denial—the money is yours and will go through—but the delay can be frustrating if you need it sooner. PayPal may hold a transfer if you just linked the bank account, if the amount is much larger than your usual transfers, or if your account has been flagged for other reasons.
If your transfer is held, PayPal will tell you in your transaction history. You can contact PayPal's Resolution Center to ask why, but you cannot force the release. The hold lifts automatically after 21 days at the latest, and often sooner once PayPal confirms the transfer is legitimate.
To reduce the chance of a hold, start with smaller transfers if you just linked your account, and wait a few days between transfers if you are moving large amounts. Once PayPal sees a pattern of normal activity, holds become less common.
Money you cannot transfer
You can only transfer your available balance. If PayPal has limited your account, placed a hold on funds, or you have an open dispute or chargeback, that money is locked and cannot be transferred until the issue is resolved.
Money from a refund or reversal may also be temporarily unavailable. If a buyer opened a dispute against you or a payment was reversed, PayPal holds that amount while it investigates. Once the case closes in your favor, the money becomes available again.
If you are unsure whether your balance is fully available, log into PayPal and check your balance page. It will show your total balance and any holds or limitations separately.
What to do if your transfer fails or is delayed
A transfer can fail if your bank account information is wrong, your account is closed, or your bank rejects the deposit for another reason. PayPal will notify you in your transaction history and tell you the reason. The most common reason is an incorrect routing or account number.
If the transfer fails, go back to your bank account settings in PayPal, double-check the routing and account numbers, and try again. Call your bank if you are not sure whether the numbers are correct. If the account is closed, link a different account and transfer to that instead.
If a transfer is delayed beyond the promised timeframe, check your PayPal transaction history to see if it is still pending or if PayPal has placed a hold. If it is pending and more than three business days have passed since you requested it, contact PayPal's Resolution Center. Provide your transaction ID (found in your transaction history) and ask them to investigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal transfers only go to a bank account linked to your own PayPal account. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's send money feature to transfer to their PayPal account or email address, or use a different service like Venmo or a wire transfer through your bank.
Do I have to transfer my whole balance, or can I transfer part of it?
You can transfer any amount up to your available balance. You do not have to move everything at once. Enter the amount you want to transfer when you request it.
What if my bank account is outside the United States?
PayPal transfers to U.S. bank accounts only. If your account is outside the U.S., you will need to use a different withdrawal method, such as PayPal's debit card or a wire transfer, depending on what PayPal offers in your country.
Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?
You can cancel a standard transfer before it is processed, usually within a few hours of requesting it. Once PayPal has sent it to your bank, you cannot cancel it through PayPal—you would need to contact your bank. Instant transfers cannot be canceled once they are initiated.
Why does PayPal charge a fee for instant transfer but not for standard?
Standard transfers use the regular banking system, which is free for PayPal. Instant transfers use a separate network that costs PayPal money to operate, so they pass that cost to you as a fee. If you do not need the money immediately, standard transfer saves you money.