Connect your bank account in three steps
To add a bank account to PayPal, you log into your account, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, and enter your routing number and account number. PayPal will then send two small deposits (usually $0.01 and $0.02) to that account within one to two business days. You return to PayPal, confirm the exact amounts of those deposits, and your bank account is verified and ready to use.
The whole process takes about five minutes to start, but the verification step requires you to wait for the deposits to arrive and then check your bank statement. Once verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, use your bank account as a funding source for PayPal payments, and set it as your preferred payment method.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link an account; these appear on the bottom left of any check or in your bank's online portal.
- PayPal sends two tiny test deposits to confirm the account is yours; you must report the exact amounts back to PayPal to complete verification.
- Verification usually takes one to two business days for the deposits to arrive, but can take longer if your bank processes deposits slowly.
- Once linked, you can transfer money out of PayPal to your bank account, usually within one to three business days depending on your bank.
- If you do not see the test deposits after three business days, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number are correct.
What information you need before you start
Gather your bank account details before you open PayPal. You will need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the unique number for your specific account at that bank). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, in the order: routing number first, then account number.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, account information, or routing number. Most banks display both numbers in a section labeled "Account Details" or similar. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number; they will give them to you over the phone.
Make sure the account is in your name or a name you are authorized to use. PayPal will verify that the account holder matches the name on your PayPal account during the confirmation step.
The step-by-step process to link your account
Step 1: Log into PayPal and open your Wallet. Go to PayPal.com, sign in with your email and password, and click Wallet at the top of the page. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Wallet.
Step 2: Select the option to link a bank account. Look for a button or link that says Link a bank account, Add bank account, or Connect a bank. The exact wording varies slightly depending on whether you are on desktop or mobile, but the button is usually near the top of the Wallet page.
Step 3: Enter your bank details. PayPal will ask you to choose your bank from a list or enter it manually. Then enter your routing number and account number in the fields provided. Double-check both numbers before you proceed; a single digit wrong will cause the verification to fail.
Step 4: Confirm your information and submit. Review the account holder name, account type (checking or savings), and the numbers you entered. Click Link Bank Account or Confirm. PayPal will tell you that two small test deposits are on the way.
Waiting for and confirming the test deposits
After you submit your bank account, PayPal sends two deposits of $0.01 and $0.02 to your account. These deposits usually arrive within one to two business days, but can take up to three business days depending on your bank's processing speed. Check your bank account online or in your bank's app; the deposits will show as coming from PayPal or a PayPal-related company name.
Once you see both deposits in your bank account, return to PayPal. Go back to Wallet and look for the bank account you just linked. There should be a prompt or button to confirm the deposits. Click it and enter the exact amounts of the two deposits (for example, $0.01 and $0.02). PayPal will verify the amounts match and mark your account as confirmed.
If you do not see the deposits after three business days, the routing number or account number may be incorrect. Contact your bank to confirm both numbers are right, then try linking the account again. If the deposits do arrive but you enter the wrong amounts, PayPal will reject the confirmation; you can try again, but you have a limited number of attempts before PayPal locks you out temporarily.
What you can do once your account is verified
After PayPal confirms your bank account, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank account. Go to Wallet, find your bank account, and select Transfer to bank or Withdraw. Enter the amount you want to move and confirm. The transfer usually takes one to three business days to appear in your bank account, depending on your bank.
You can also use your linked bank account as a funding source for PayPal payments. When you send money or make a purchase through PayPal, you can choose to pay from your bank account instead of your PayPal balance. PayPal will pull the money directly from your bank on the day the transaction processes.
Setting your bank account as your preferred payment method means PayPal will use it by default for any transaction where you do not specify a different source. You can change this preference at any time in your Wallet settings.
Troubleshooting common problems
The test deposits did not arrive. Wait three full business days from the date you linked the account. If they still have not shown up, log into your bank account and search for any deposits from PayPal or a PayPal-related company. If you find them but they are a different amount than $0.01 and $0.02, your routing number or account number was entered incorrectly. Contact your bank to confirm both numbers, then try linking the account again.
You entered the wrong deposit amounts during confirmation. PayPal will reject your entry and ask you to try again. Check your bank statement once more for the exact amounts and re-enter them. If you fail multiple times, PayPal may temporarily lock you out of the verification process; wait 24 hours and try again.
PayPal says the account is already linked to another PayPal account. Each bank account can only be linked to one PayPal account. If you have multiple PayPal accounts, you will need to use a different bank account for each one, or unlink the account from the other PayPal account first. Contact PayPal support if you do not remember which account it is linked to.
Your bank rejected the deposits. Some banks flag small deposits from unfamiliar sources as suspicious. Contact your bank and tell them to expect two tiny deposits from PayPal. Ask them to allow the deposits through. Once they arrive, complete the verification process in PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?
The initial linking takes about five minutes. Verification takes one to three business days for the test deposits to arrive, plus a few minutes for you to confirm them. In total, plan for three to five business days from start to finish, though it can be faster if your bank processes deposits quickly.
Is it safe to give PayPal my routing number and account number?
Yes. PayPal is a major payment processor and uses encryption to protect your banking information. The test deposit method is actually a security feature—it proves you own the account before PayPal allows you to transfer money. Never share your routing number and account number with anyone else, but PayPal is a legitimate place to enter them.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. During the linking process, you will select the account type. The process is identical for both.
What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?
You can unlink it before or after verification. Go to Wallet, find the bank account, and look for an option to remove or unlink it. Click it and confirm. You can then link the correct account. If you already transferred money to the wrong account, contact PayPal support immediately.
Do I need to link a bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can use PayPal with just a credit or debit card, or by funding your PayPal balance another way. Linking a bank account is optional but useful if you want to transfer money out of PayPal or pay directly from your bank.