Why you need a checking account on PayPal
PayPal lets you send and receive money, but to move cash in and out of the platform, you need a bank account connected to it. A checking account is the most common choice because it's where most people keep spending money and receive paychecks. Once you link it, you can transfer PayPal balance to your bank, deposit checks through PayPal's mobile app, and set up automatic payments.
Without a linked bank account, you're stuck holding money inside PayPal. You can't withdraw it to spend at an ATM or pay bills from your actual bank. Adding a checking account takes about five minutes and requires your routing number and account number—both printed on the bottom left of your checks.
Key Takeaways
- You need your checking account's routing number and account number, both found on the bottom left of your checks or available from your bank's website.
- PayPal will deposit two small test amounts (under $1 each) to your checking account within one to two business days, and you must confirm those amounts to verify ownership.
- Once verified, transfers from PayPal to your checking account usually arrive within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
- PayPal charges no fee to link a checking account, but some banks may charge a fee for receiving external transfers.
Step-by-step: adding your checking account
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Wallet (on mobile, tap the menu icon), then select Link a bank account. PayPal will ask whether you want to link via Plaid (an automatic connection service) or manually.
If you choose Plaid, you'll enter your bank's name and log in with your online banking credentials. Plaid connects instantly and verifies your account right away—no waiting for test deposits. If your bank isn't supported by Plaid or you prefer not to use it, select Manual entry. Enter your routing number and account number, then confirm the account type (checking, savings, or money market).
After you submit, PayPal will send two small deposits to your checking account. These arrive within one to two business days. Check your bank statement or online banking portal for the exact amounts (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each). Return to PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and enter those two amounts to confirm you own the account. Once confirmed, your account is active.
Finding your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number appear on the bottom left of any check you have. The routing number is the first nine digits, the account number follows. If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app—most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read the numbers to you.
Make sure you're entering the correct routing number for your specific branch. Some large banks have multiple routing numbers depending on which region you bank in. If you enter the wrong number, the test deposits will fail and you'll need to start over.
What happens after verification
Once PayPal confirms your checking account, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank. Go to Wallet, select your bank account, and choose Transfer to your bank. Enter the amount and confirm. PayPal processes the transfer immediately, but your bank receives it within one to three business days—the exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed.
You can also set up automatic transfers if you want PayPal to move money to your checking account on a schedule. Some people use this to sweep their PayPal balance weekly or monthly. PayPal charges nothing for these transfers, though your bank may charge a fee for receiving external deposits (most don't, but check your account terms).
Troubleshooting failed verification
If the test deposits don't arrive after two business days, your routing or account number may be wrong. Log back into PayPal, remove the account, and try again with the correct numbers. If you're still having trouble, contact your bank to confirm they received the deposits—some banks flag small external transfers as suspicious and hold them.
If you entered the amounts incorrectly when confirming, PayPal will lock you out after three wrong attempts. Wait 24 hours, then try again. If the deposits still haven't arrived after three business days, contact PayPal support with your bank's name and account type. They can manually verify your account in some cases, though this takes longer.
Security and what PayPal can access
When you link a checking account through Plaid, PayPal sees your login credentials only during the connection process—Plaid handles the actual verification and doesn't store your password. If you enter your routing and account number manually, PayPal stores those numbers encrypted. PayPal cannot withdraw money from your account without your permission, and it cannot see your balance or transaction history.
You control what PayPal can do with your account. You can remove the bank account from PayPal at any time by going to your wallet settings and selecting Remove. This doesn't affect your bank account itself—it only stops PayPal from being able to transfer money to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. PayPal accepts checking, savings, and money market accounts. The process is identical—you enter the routing number, account number, and account type. Transfers take the same one to three business days regardless of account type.
What if my bank isn't listed in Plaid?
Use manual entry instead. Enter your routing number and account number by hand. You'll still receive the two test deposits for verification. Manual entry works with any U.S. bank that has a routing number.
Do I have to wait for the test deposits to use my account?
Yes. You cannot transfer money out of PayPal until you confirm the two test amounts. This is how PayPal verifies you own the account. The entire process usually takes two to four business days from start to finish.
Can I link multiple checking accounts?
Yes. You can add up to four bank accounts to a single PayPal account. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to split transfers between them. Each account goes through the same verification process.
What if I close my checking account after linking it?
PayPal will reject any transfer attempts to a closed account. Remove the account from PayPal as soon as you close it at your bank. If you try to transfer to a closed account, the money will bounce back to your PayPal balance within three to five business days.