The fastest way to fund Venmo is to link your bank account and transfer money in the app

Open Venmo, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings, then Payment Methods. Choose Add Bank Account and enter your routing number and account number—you can find both on a check or by logging into your bank's website. Venmo will make two small test deposits to your account (usually within one to two business days), and you'll confirm those amounts in the app to verify ownership. Once verified, you can transfer money from that bank account into your Venmo balance whenever you need it.

The transfer itself takes one to three business days, depending on your bank and the time you initiate it. Transfers initiated on a weekend or after 5 p.m. on a weekday typically don't process until the next business day. There is no fee to transfer money from your bank account to Venmo, though Venmo does charge a fee if you want to cash out from Venmo back to your bank (that's a separate transaction).

Key Takeaways

  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link your bank account, both of which appear on a check or in your bank's online portal.
  • Venmo sends two small test deposits to confirm you own the account; you must verify these amounts in the app before the link is active.
  • Transfers from your bank to Venmo take one to three business days and carry no fee.
  • Weekend and after-hours transfers don't begin processing until the next business day, so plan ahead if you need the money quickly.

Finding your routing and account numbers

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. Your account number is unique to your checking or savings account. Both appear at the bottom left of any check you have—the routing number comes first, then the account number. 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 provide both numbers over the phone.

Make sure you're using the correct account. If you link a savings account but intend to transfer from checking, the transfer will fail or pull from the wrong place. Double-check the account type before you confirm the link in Venmo.

How the verification process works

After you enter your routing and account numbers, Venmo sends two small deposits—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—to your bank account. These deposits appear within one to two business days. You then return to Venmo, go back to Payment Methods, and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. Once you confirm them correctly, your bank account is verified and ready to use.

If you don't see the deposits after two business days, check that you entered the routing and account numbers correctly. If they're wrong, the deposits go to the wrong account and you'll need to start over. Contact Venmo support if the deposits don't arrive after three business days; they can resend them or help troubleshoot the link.

Transferring money from your bank to Venmo

Once your bank account is verified, open Venmo and tap the $ icon at the bottom of the screen. Select Add Money, choose your linked bank account, and enter the amount you want to transfer. Confirm the transfer, and the money will leave your bank account and arrive in your Venmo balance within one to three business days.

Transfers initiated before 5 p.m. on a weekday may process the same day or the next business day, depending on your bank's processing speed. Transfers initiated after 5 p.m., on weekends, or on bank holidays will not begin processing until the next business day. There is no fee for this transfer—Venmo does not charge you to move money from your bank into your Venmo balance.

What to do if a transfer fails or gets stuck

A transfer can fail if your bank account information is incorrect, your account doesn't have enough funds, or your bank blocks the transaction for fraud protection. If a transfer fails, Venmo will notify you in the app with a reason. The most common reason is insufficient funds—make sure your bank account has at least the amount you're trying to transfer, plus any pending charges.

If your bank is blocking the transfer, contact your bank directly and ask them to allow transfers from Venmo. Some banks flag transfers to payment apps as suspicious the first time. Once you've told your bank to allow it, try the transfer again. If a transfer is stuck and hasn't arrived after four business days, contact Venmo support with the transfer date and amount; they can investigate whether the money is still in transit or was rejected by your bank.

Linking multiple bank accounts

You can link more than one bank account to Venmo. Each account must go through the same verification process with the two test deposits. This is useful if you have checking and savings accounts at the same bank, or accounts at different banks, and want to choose which one to transfer from each time.

To add a second account, go to Settings > Payment Methods > Add Bank Account and repeat the process. You can remove a linked account at any time by going to Payment Methods, selecting the account, and choosing Remove. Removing an account does not affect any transfers you've already made from it.

Alternatives if you can't link a bank account

If your bank won't allow Venmo to verify your account, or if you don't have a bank account, you can add money to Venmo using a debit card instead. Tap Settings > Payment Methods > Add Card, enter your card details, and you can transfer money immediately—though Venmo charges a 1.75% fee for debit card transfers. This is more expensive than a bank transfer but faster if you need the money right away.

You can also receive money from other Venmo users without funding your balance first; the money sits in your Venmo account until you transfer it to your bank or spend it. If you only send money occasionally, you may not need to add funds at all—you can pay directly from your linked bank account or debit card each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to verify my bank account?

The two test deposits arrive within one to two business days. Once you see them in your bank account and confirm the amounts in Venmo, your account is verified immediately. The entire process typically takes two to four business days from the time you enter your account information.

Can I transfer money from Venmo back to my bank account?

Yes. Tap the menu icon, select Settings > Payment Methods, choose your bank account, and select Transfer to Bank. Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost no fee. Instant transfers (arriving within 30 minutes) cost 1% of the amount, with a minimum fee of $0.25.

What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?

The test deposits will go to the wrong account, and your link will fail. You'll need to remove the incorrect account from Venmo and start over with the correct information. If you realize the mistake before the deposits arrive, contact Venmo support to cancel the verification and try again.

Is it safe to give Venmo my bank account information?

Venmo uses encryption and security measures to protect your information. Your bank account details are not shared with other Venmo users or merchants—they're only used to move money between your bank and your Venmo balance. Venmo is owned by PayPal and is regulated as a money transmitter.

Can I transfer money to Venmo from someone else's bank account?

No. The bank account you link must be in your own name. Venmo verifies ownership by sending test deposits to that account. If you try to link an account that isn't yours, the verification will fail when you can't confirm the test deposit amounts.