Connect your bank account in PayPal's settings, then verify it with two small deposits
To connect your bank account to PayPal, you log into your account, go to Wallet or Settings (depending on your account type), select Link a Bank Account, enter your routing number and account number, and then wait for PayPal to send two verification deposits to your bank. Once those deposits arrive—usually within three to five business days—you enter the amounts in PayPal to confirm ownership. After that, you can send money from your bank to PayPal, withdraw PayPal balance to your bank, and use your bank account as a backup payment method.
The process takes longer than linking a debit or credit card, but it costs nothing and gives you more control over where your money goes. If you skip the verification step, PayPal will limit your account until you complete it.
Key Takeaways
- You must provide your bank's routing number and your account number, both found on a check or through your bank's website or app.
- PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank account, and you must log back into PayPal and enter those amounts to finish linking.
- Verification takes three to five business days for the deposits to show up, plus one to two days for PayPal to process your confirmation.
- Once linked, you can transfer money between your bank and PayPal for free, but PayPal may charge a fee if you use your bank account to pay a merchant.
- If you do not complete verification within a set time, PayPal will restrict your account until you do.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. Your account number is unique to your specific account. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have written. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app, go to account details or statements, and look for a section labeled "Account Information" or "Routing Number." You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for both numbers.
Do not share these numbers with anyone except PayPal. They are enough for someone to set up unauthorized transfers from your account. PayPal's website will have a secure form with a lock icon in your browser's address bar—make sure you see that lock before you enter anything.
The verification deposit step and what to expect
After you enter your routing and account numbers, PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank, usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits arrive as separate transactions and may take three to five business days to show up, depending on your bank's processing speed. Your bank will list them as coming from PayPal or a PayPal subsidiary.
Once the deposits land in your account, log back into PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and select the option to verify the deposits. PayPal will ask you to enter the exact amounts of both deposits. If you enter them correctly, your bank account is now linked and verified. If you enter them wrong, you can try again, but too many failed attempts may lock you out temporarily.
Some banks show pending deposits before they fully clear. Do not enter the amounts until the deposits have actually posted to your available balance—pending deposits may disappear if PayPal cancels them.
What you can do once your bank account is linked
A linked and verified bank account lets you move money in two directions. You can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank account (called a withdrawal), and you can add money from your bank to your PayPal balance (called a transfer in). Both are free when you use a standard transfer, which takes one to three business days. PayPal also offers instant transfers for a small fee, usually $0.25 to $1.50 depending on the amount.
You can also use your linked bank account as a backup payment method when you pay a merchant through PayPal. If your PayPal balance is empty, PayPal will pull the money directly from your bank instead. Some merchants charge a fee for bank transfers—PayPal does not charge you, but the merchant may—so check before you complete the payment.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal sets daily and monthly limits on how much you can transfer between your bank and your PayPal account. These limits vary based on your account history, how long you have been a PayPal user, and whether you have had any disputes or chargebacks. A new account might be limited to $500 per day, while an established account might have a $25,000 daily limit.
You can see your current limits by going to your account settings and looking for "Transfer Limits" or "Account Limits." If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can request a limit increase through the same menu, but PayPal may take several days to review and respond. In the meantime, you can make multiple transfers on different days to work around the daily cap.
What to do if verification fails or takes too long
If the verification deposits do not arrive after seven business days, your bank may be blocking them or PayPal may have sent them to the wrong account. Log into PayPal and check whether the bank account information is correct—a single wrong digit in the routing number will send the deposits to a different bank. If the information is correct, contact your bank and ask whether they received any small deposits from PayPal in the last week. Some banks flag unfamiliar transfers as suspicious and hold them.
If your bank confirms they never received the deposits, go back to PayPal and remove the bank account, then add it again. PayPal will send new verification deposits. If you entered the deposit amounts wrong too many times, PayPal may lock you out of trying again for 24 hours. Wait that time out, then try once more with the correct amounts.
If you still cannot get verification to work after two attempts, contact PayPal's support team through the Help Center in your account. Have your bank account number and routing number ready, and be prepared to answer security questions to prove you own the account.
Fees and when your bank account costs money
Transferring money between your bank and PayPal is free when you use the standard transfer option. Instant transfers cost $0.25 to $1.50 depending on the amount you are moving. Your bank may also charge you a fee if they consider PayPal transfers to be a type of transaction they charge for—check your bank's fee schedule or call them to ask.
If you use your linked bank account to pay a merchant through PayPal (rather than transferring money to PayPal first), the merchant may charge a fee. This is different from a PayPal fee—the merchant sets it. PayPal will show you any merchant fee before you complete the payment, so you can decide whether to proceed or use a different payment method.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?
The entire process takes one to two weeks. Entering your information takes minutes, but PayPal's verification deposits take three to five business days to arrive at your bank, and then you need one to two more days for PayPal to process your confirmation after you enter the deposit amounts.
Can I use my bank account to pay someone on PayPal right away, or do I have to wait for verification?
You must complete verification first. Until PayPal confirms the deposits, your bank account is linked but not verified, and PayPal will not let you use it for payments or transfers. You can still use a debit or credit card to pay while you wait.
What if I enter the wrong routing number?
PayPal's verification deposits will go to a different bank or account. After seven business days with no deposits, remove the account from PayPal and add it again with the correct routing number. PayPal will send new deposits to the right place.
Can I link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?
Yes. You can add as many bank accounts as you want, but you can only set one as your primary account for withdrawals. To add another account, go to your wallet or settings and select "Link a Bank Account" again, then repeat the verification process for the new account.
What happens if I do not verify my bank account?
PayPal will restrict your account after a set period, usually 30 days. You will not be able to transfer money or use the bank account for payments until you complete verification. You can still receive money and use other payment methods like debit cards.