The fastest way to move money from PayPal to your bank account
To transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and click "Transfer Money." Choose the amount you want to send and confirm. The money will arrive in your bank account in one to three business days if you use a standard transfer, or the same day if you pay a fee for an instant transfer.
Before you can transfer anything, you need to link a bank account to your PayPal account. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number — the same information you would give an employer for direct deposit. You can find both on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
Once your bank account is linked and confirmed (which takes a few days the first time), transfers are available immediately. You do not have to wait for confirmation to start moving money — PayPal confirms the account by depositing two small amounts into it, and you verify those amounts in your PayPal settings, but transfers can happen before that step is complete.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost nothing; instant transfers arrive the same day but charge a fee of 1.5% of the amount (minimum 25 cents).
- You must link a bank account to PayPal first using your routing number and account number, which takes a few days to confirm.
- Transfers are initiated from your PayPal Wallet, not from your bank's website — your bank will not see the transfer coming until the money arrives.
- If a transfer fails or is delayed, check that your bank account information is correct and that your bank has not blocked the incoming transfer.
Standard transfer versus instant transfer
PayPal offers two ways to move money to your bank account, and the choice depends on whether you need the money today or can wait a few days.
Standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank — some post transfers the next business day, others take the full three days. Weekends and bank holidays add to the wait. If you initiate a transfer on a Friday afternoon, you may not see the money until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Instant transfer moves the money to your bank account on the same day, usually within 30 minutes. PayPal charges a fee of 1.5% of the amount you transfer, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. If you transfer $100, the fee is $1.50. If you transfer $20, the fee is still 25 cents. The fee comes out of your PayPal balance before the transfer happens, so if you have $100 in PayPal and choose instant transfer, your bank receives $98.50 and PayPal keeps $1.50.
Not all bank accounts are may be able to access for instant transfer. Smaller banks, credit unions, and some online banks may not support it. PayPal will tell you at the time you initiate the transfer whether instant transfer is available for your account.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
You cannot transfer money until your bank account is linked. The process takes a few minutes but the confirmation takes a few days.
Log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Settings (the gear icon), then select Wallet. Click "Link a bank account" and enter your bank's name or routing number. PayPal will ask for your account number and confirm the account type (checking or savings). Do not use a credit card number or debit card number — PayPal needs your actual bank account number, which you can find on a check or in your bank's online portal under account details.
After you submit this information, PayPal will send two small deposits to your bank account — usually between 1 and 5 cents each. These deposits arrive within a few business days. Once they appear in your bank account, go back to PayPal and enter the two amounts in the confirmation screen. This proves you own the account and can receive transfers.
Some banks block incoming transfers from PayPal or flag them as suspicious. If the deposits do not arrive after five business days, log into your bank's website and check your transaction history or pending transactions. If you see them, your bank may have held them. Contact your bank and ask them to release the PayPal deposits. If you do not see them at all, go back to PayPal and try linking the account again with your routing number instead of your account number.
What happens if a transfer fails or gets stuck
Most transfers complete without problems, but occasionally money gets delayed or bounces back to your PayPal account. The most common reasons are incorrect account information, a closed bank account, or your bank blocking the transfer.
If a transfer fails, PayPal will send you an email explaining why. Check that your routing number and account number are correct — a single digit wrong will cause the transfer to fail. Log into your bank's website and verify both numbers match what you entered in PayPal. If they do not match, delete the bank account from PayPal and link it again with the correct information.
If your account information is correct but the transfer still fails, contact your bank directly. Tell them you are expecting a transfer from PayPal and ask whether they have blocked it or whether the account is active. Some banks require you to call and authorize incoming transfers from third parties. Once your bank confirms the account is open and accepting transfers, try again in PayPal.
If money is transferred but does not appear in your bank account after the expected time, wait one more business day — delays happen, especially near weekends or holidays. If it still has not arrived after that, contact PayPal support with the date and amount of the transfer. PayPal can see on their end whether the money was sent and can work with your bank to locate it.
Fees and limits on transfers
Standard transfers to your bank account are free. Instant transfers cost 1.5% of the amount, with a minimum of 25 cents and a maximum of $15 per transfer.
PayPal does not publish a daily or monthly limit on how much you can transfer to your bank account, but your account history and activity level affect what you can move. New accounts or accounts with little history may have lower limits. If you try to transfer more than your limit allows, PayPal will tell you the maximum amount available. Limits typically increase over time as you use your account.
Your bank may also have limits on incoming transfers. Some banks cap the number of transfers you can receive per day or per month, or limit the total dollar amount. Check your bank's account agreement or call them to ask about their transfer limits.
Transfers from PayPal Credit and PayPal Balance
You can only transfer money to your bank account if the money is in your PayPal Balance — the cash sitting in your PayPal account from sales, refunds, or money someone sent you. If you have a PayPal Credit balance (a line of credit PayPal extended to you), you cannot transfer that to your bank account. PayPal Credit is for spending only, not for withdrawals.
If you received money as a PayPal Credit offer or promotional credit, that money is also locked to PayPal Credit and cannot be transferred. You can only spend it on purchases through PayPal.
Check your PayPal Wallet to see which balance is which. Your PayPal Balance shows as a separate line from any PayPal Credit balance. Only the PayPal Balance amount can be transferred to your bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?
No. Transfers from PayPal go only to the bank account linked to your own PayPal account. 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.
What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?
Go to your PayPal Wallet, find the incorrect bank account, and click "Remove." Then link the correct account. If you already transferred money to the wrong account, contact PayPal support immediately — they may be able to reverse the transfer if it has not yet posted to the bank.
Do I need to do anything on my bank's website to receive the transfer?
No. Once your account is linked and confirmed in PayPal, transfers arrive automatically. Your bank does not need to approve them. The money will simply appear in your account on the expected date.
How long does it take to link a bank account the first time?
Entering your information takes a few minutes, but PayPal's confirmation deposits take three to five business days to arrive. Once you verify those deposits, your account is fully linked and you can transfer immediately.
Can I transfer money from PayPal to a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. When you link your bank account, PayPal asks whether it is a checking or savings account. Either type works for transfers. The timing and fees are the same.