Add your bank account through the Wallet section
Open PayPal on your phone or computer and go to Wallet at the top of the page. Select Link a bank account. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number. You can find both numbers at the bottom of a check, or log into your bank's website to locate them.
After you enter this information, PayPal deposits two small amounts—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—into your account within one to two business days. This is PayPal's way of confirming you own the account. Once the deposits arrive, return to PayPal, go back to your bank account settings, and enter the exact amounts you see. PayPal will then mark the account as confirmed.
The whole process takes three to five business days from start to finish. Until your account is confirmed, you cannot transfer money to or from it through PayPal, though you can still receive payments into your PayPal balance.
Key Takeaways
- You need your routing number and account number from your bank, both printed on the bottom of your checks or available through your bank's website.
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your account to verify ownership; you must log back in and confirm the amounts to complete the link.
- The verification process takes three to five business days, and your bank account cannot be used for transfers until it is confirmed.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, use your bank account to fund PayPal purchases, or set it as your default payment method.
- If you do not see the test deposits after five business days, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number are correct.
What information PayPal needs from you
PayPal requires your routing number and account number. The routing number identifies your bank; the account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website, go to account details or account settings, and look for "routing number" and "account number" listed there.
You will also need to confirm your bank's name and whether the account is checking or savings. PayPal uses this to route the test deposits to the correct place. If you enter the wrong routing number, the deposits will go to a different bank and you will have to start over.
Do not use a debit card number or credit card number in place of your account number. PayPal specifically needs your bank account, not a card linked to that account.
How to find your routing and account numbers
The easiest method is to look at a check. The routing number is the first nine digits on the bottom left. The account number follows immediately after. Both are printed in magnetic ink and are easy to spot.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app. Most banks display routing and account numbers in the account details or account information section. Some banks call this "account summary" or "account settings." You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number—they will provide both over the phone.
Make sure you are copying the numbers correctly. A single digit wrong will cause the test deposits to fail, and you will need to start the verification process again.
What happens after you confirm the test deposits
Once PayPal marks your bank account as confirmed, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank account. This usually takes one to three business days. You can also use your bank account to fund PayPal purchases, though PayPal may ask you to confirm the account again if you have not used it in a long time.
You can set your linked bank account as your default payment method, meaning PayPal will pull from it automatically when you make a purchase unless you choose a different payment source. You can change this setting anytime in your wallet.
If you link multiple bank accounts, you can switch between them for transfers and purchases. Each account must go through the same two-deposit verification process.
Troubleshooting when test deposits do not arrive
If you do not see the two test deposits in your bank account after five business days, the most common cause is an incorrect routing number or account number. Log back into PayPal, check the numbers you entered, and compare them to what your bank shows. If they do not match, delete the account from PayPal and start over with the correct numbers.
The second most common cause is that you entered the wrong bank name. PayPal uses the bank name to route the deposits, and if it does not match your bank's official name in the system, the deposits may go elsewhere. Try unlinking and relinking with your bank's full legal name—for example, "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A." instead of just "Wells Fargo."
If the numbers are correct and the bank name is correct, contact your bank's customer service. Ask them to confirm that the account is active and can receive ACH deposits. Some accounts are restricted and cannot receive transfers from outside services. Your bank can tell you whether that is the case and how to fix it.
Security and what PayPal can access
Linking your bank account to PayPal does not give PayPal access to your full bank account or your other accounts at that bank. PayPal can only pull money out or receive deposits into the specific account you linked. You control how much money PayPal can move at any time—PayPal cannot withdraw funds without your explicit instruction to do so.
The two test deposits are PayPal's way of confirming you own the account. If someone else had entered your account number, those deposits would go to them, not to you, and you would know the account was compromised. This is why you must confirm the amounts yourself.
If your PayPal account is hacked, the person with access cannot transfer money from your bank account unless they also have your bank login. They can only move money that is already sitting in your PayPal balance. You can unlink your bank account anytime from your wallet settings if you suspect fraud.
Removing or changing a linked bank account
To remove a bank account, go to Wallet, find the account in your list, and select Remove or the three-dot menu next to it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once removed, PayPal can no longer transfer money to or from that account, though past transactions will remain in your history.
To change which account is your default, go to Wallet, find the account you want to use, and select Make Primary or Set as Default. The wording varies slightly depending on whether you are on mobile or desktop.
If you want to link a different account at the same bank, you will need to go through the two-deposit verification process again. PayPal treats each account as a separate link.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to transfer money from PayPal to my bank account?
Standard transfers take one to three business days. PayPal also offers instant transfers to a linked debit card for a small fee, but this requires a debit card, not a bank account. If you need money faster, link a debit card instead of a bank account.
Can I link a joint bank account to PayPal?
Yes. Use the routing number and account number for the joint account. Either account holder can verify the test deposits and confirm the account. Once confirmed, both account holders can use it through the same PayPal account if they share login credentials.
What if I enter the wrong account number and the test deposits go to someone else's account?
The deposits will appear in that person's bank account, not yours. You will not be able to confirm them in PayPal, and the link will fail. You will need to unlink and start over with the correct account number. The deposits are small enough that most people will not notice them, but if you are concerned, contact PayPal support.
Do I need to link a bank account if I already have a debit card linked?
No. A debit card and a bank account serve different purposes. A debit card is faster for instant transfers but costs a fee. A bank account is slower but free. You can use either one, or link both and choose which to use for each transaction.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. When you enter your account information, select "savings" as the account type. The verification process is the same. Some banks take slightly longer to process ACH transfers to savings accounts, so transfers may take an extra day.