Connect your bank account in three steps

To link a bank account to PayPal, you log into your account, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, enter your routing and account numbers, and confirm two small deposits PayPal sends to that account within one to two business days. Once you confirm those amounts, the link is active and you can send money, receive payments, and withdraw funds using that bank account.

The entire process takes about five minutes to start, but the account won't be fully usable until you verify the deposits—usually three to five business days from when you initiate the link. You do not need to wait for verification to add the account; you can start the process and come back to it later.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal sends two small deposits (typically under $1 each) to verify your bank account, and you must log in and confirm the exact amounts to complete the link.
  • Verification takes three to five business days, but you can link the account and move on; you'll receive an email when the deposits arrive.
  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both found on a check or in your bank's online portal.
  • Once linked, you can use that bank account to withdraw PayPal balance, receive direct deposits, or fund transfers to other people.
  • If verification fails after two attempts, PayPal will ask you to upload a bank statement or use an alternative method like a debit card.

What you need before you start

Have your bank account number and routing number ready. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app—most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section, sometimes labeled Account Information or Routing & Account Numbers. Some banks call the routing number the ABA number.

You also need access to the email address tied to your PayPal account, because PayPal will send you a notification when the verification deposits arrive. Make sure you can check that email within a few days.

The step-by-step process

Step 1: Log in and navigate to Wallet. Open PayPal on a web browser or the mobile app, sign in, and tap or click Wallet (on mobile, this may appear as a menu icon or tab at the bottom). On the web version, Wallet is in the top navigation.

Step 2: Select Link a bank account. Look for a button or link that says Link a bank account or Add a bank account. PayPal may also show this option under a Funding sources or Payment methods section. Click it.

Step 3: Enter your bank details. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. Type both carefully—a single digit wrong will cause verification to fail. PayPal also asks which type of account it is (checking or savings). Select the correct one.

Step 4: Confirm your information and wait. Review what you entered, then submit. PayPal will tell you that verification deposits are on the way. You do not need to do anything else right now. Close the page or move on; PayPal will email you when the deposits arrive.

How to verify the deposits when they arrive

PayPal sends two deposits, each under $1, within one to two business days. The amounts are random and different from each other—for example, $0.23 and $0.17. You will receive an email from PayPal saying the deposits have been sent.

Once the deposits show up in your bank account (check your bank's app or website), log back into PayPal, go to Wallet, find the bank account you just linked, and look for a button or prompt to Confirm deposits or Verify account. PayPal will ask you to enter the two amounts. Type them exactly as they appear in your bank statement. After you submit, the account is verified and ready to use.

If you do not see the deposits after five business days, check your spam email folder for PayPal's notification. If the email is not there, log into PayPal and check whether the account shows a status like Pending verification or Verification in progress. You can also contact PayPal support to resend the deposits.

What happens if verification fails

If you enter the deposit amounts incorrectly twice, PayPal will lock you out of the deposit verification method. At that point, PayPal offers two alternatives: upload a recent bank statement (usually from the last 30 days) that shows your name and account number, or link a debit card instead and use that to verify the bank account.

To upload a statement, download a PDF from your bank's website, go back to the bank account in PayPal's Wallet, and look for an option to upload a document. The statement must clearly show your name, the bank name, and the account number. Processing usually takes one to three business days.

If you choose the debit card route, add a debit card to your PayPal account first, then use it to verify the bank account instead. This is faster than waiting for a statement to be reviewed.

What you can do once the account is linked

After verification is complete, you can withdraw your PayPal balance to that bank account. Go to Wallet, select the bank account, and choose Transfer to bank. Transfers typically take one to three business days, depending on your bank. PayPal does not charge a fee for transfers to a linked bank account.

You can also use the linked bank account to receive direct deposits if you set up PayPal as a direct deposit destination for your employer or a government benefit. Some users link a bank account so PayPal can automatically pull funds from it if their PayPal balance is too low to cover a payment or transfer.

If you send money to another person through PayPal and they do not have a PayPal account, PayPal can deposit the money directly into their bank account if you provide their routing and account number—but that is a separate process from linking your own account.

Troubleshooting common problems

The deposits did not arrive after five business days. Check your bank account carefully—sometimes deposits post under a generic description like "ACH DEBIT" or "PAYPAL VERIFICATION." If you genuinely cannot find them, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number are correct. Then contact PayPal support to request that the deposits be resent.

PayPal says the account number is invalid. Double-check that you entered your account number, not your card number. Some banks use different account numbers for different products (checking, savings, money market). Make sure you are using the number for the account you want to link. If you are still stuck, call your bank and ask them to confirm the routing and account numbers.

You linked the account but now cannot find it in your Wallet. Scroll down in the Wallet section—linked bank accounts sometimes appear below credit and debit cards. If it is not there, the link may have failed silently. Try linking again from the beginning.

You want to unlink the account. Go to Wallet, find the bank account, and look for a menu icon (three dots) or a Remove option. Click it and confirm. The account will be removed immediately, but any pending transfers will still go through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link more than one bank account to PayPal?

Yes. You can link multiple bank accounts and choose which one to use when you withdraw money or set up a direct deposit. Each account must be verified separately with the deposit method.

What if my bank does not show the routing number?

Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person. They will give you the routing number over the phone or in writing. You can also search your bank's name plus "routing number" online, but confirm it with your bank before entering it into PayPal.

Do I need a checking account, or can I link a savings account?

You can link either a checking or savings account. When you enter your account details, PayPal asks you to specify which type it is. Choose the correct one or verification will fail.

How long does it take to transfer money from PayPal to my bank account?

Standard transfers take one to three business days. PayPal does not charge a fee. Some banks process deposits faster than others, so the exact timing depends on your bank.

What if I accidentally linked the wrong bank account?

Unlink it immediately by going to Wallet, finding the account, and selecting Remove. Then link the correct account. If you already verified the wrong account and made a transfer to it, contact PayPal support to see if the transfer can be recalled.