The fastest way to transfer PayPal balance to your bank account
You can transfer money from your PayPal balance to a linked bank account in one to three business days using PayPal's standard transfer feature. Log into PayPal on a computer or phone, go to your Wallet, select your PayPal balance, and choose "Transfer to your bank." Pick the bank account you want the money to go to, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal will show you the exact arrival date before you complete the transfer.
The transfer is free if you choose the standard option, which takes one to three business days. PayPal also offers an instant transfer option that moves money in minutes, but that costs between 25 cents and $2 depending on the amount, and it requires you to have a debit card linked to your PayPal account.
If you have never linked a bank account to PayPal before, you will need to do that first. PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website. The linking process takes a few minutes, and PayPal may hold a small deposit in your account for a day or two to confirm the account is real.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take one to three business days.
- Instant transfers cost 25 cents to $2 and move money in minutes, but require a debit card linked to your PayPal account.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal before you can transfer money, which requires your routing number and account number.
- PayPal shows you the exact arrival date before you confirm the transfer, so you know when to expect the money.
- Transfers from PayPal balance only work if you have money sitting in your PayPal account; if your money is in a linked card or bank account, you cannot transfer it.
How to link your bank account to PayPal for the first time
Go to your PayPal account settings and select "Linked banks and cards." Click "Link a bank account" and enter your bank's name. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. You can find both on a check (the routing number is the first set of numbers on the bottom left, and the account number follows it), or you can log into your bank's website and look for account details.
After you enter the numbers, PayPal will confirm the account is real by depositing two small amounts into your bank account—usually between 1 and 5 cents each. This takes one to two business days. Once the deposits arrive, go back to PayPal and enter the exact amounts to verify the account. After verification, your bank account is linked and ready to receive transfers.
If you want to speed this up, some banks let you verify instantly through PayPal's connection to your bank's system. When you link the account, PayPal may offer you the option to log into your bank right there and authorize the connection. If that option appears, use it—your account will be verified immediately instead of waiting for the deposits.
Standard transfer versus instant transfer: what the difference costs
A standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank and whether you submit the transfer on a business day. If you transfer money on a Friday evening, it may not arrive until Tuesday because banks do not process transfers on weekends or holidays.
An instant transfer costs money but arrives in minutes. The fee is 25 cents for transfers under $10, and 1.75% of the transfer amount for transfers of $10 or more (capped at $2). So a $100 instant transfer costs $1.75, and a $200 instant transfer also costs $2 because the cap applies. Instant transfers require a debit card linked to your PayPal account—not just a bank account. If you have only a bank account linked, you cannot use instant transfer.
Use standard transfer if you can wait a few days and want to avoid the fee. Use instant transfer if you need the money urgently and the fee is worth it to you. There is no penalty for choosing standard; PayPal will not charge you anything extra if you wait.
What to do if your transfer is delayed or does not arrive
If your transfer does not arrive within the timeframe PayPal promised, check your PayPal transaction history first. Go to your Activity or Resolution Center and look for the transfer. If it shows "Completed," the money left PayPal on time, and the delay is on your bank's end. Contact your bank and give them the date you initiated the transfer and the amount. They can trace it and tell you where it is.
If the transfer shows "Pending" or "In Progress" in PayPal, wait until the promised arrival date has passed before contacting PayPal. If it is past that date and still pending, go to the Resolution Center, find the transaction, and select "Report a problem." Describe what happened and include the date you transferred the money. PayPal will investigate and either release the transfer or refund it to your PayPal balance.
Delays are usually caused by your bank's processing time, not PayPal. Banks sometimes hold transfers for review if the amount is large or unusual for your account, or if they detect activity that looks suspicious. If this happens repeatedly, call your bank and ask them to whitelist PayPal transfers so they process faster.
Why you might not be able to transfer your PayPal balance
You can only transfer money that is sitting in your PayPal balance—the account PayPal holds for you. If your money is in a linked debit card or credit card, or if it is in a linked bank account, you cannot transfer it to your bank. PayPal does not move money between linked accounts; it only moves money from your PayPal balance outward.
If you received money from a sale or a transfer and it went into your PayPal balance, you can transfer it. If you added money to PayPal using a card or bank account but have not spent it yet, that money is in your PayPal balance and you can transfer it. If you are unsure, go to your Wallet and look at the balance shown under "PayPal Balance." That is the amount you can transfer.
Some PayPal accounts, particularly business accounts or accounts that are new or have had disputes, may have transfer limits or holds on the balance. If you try to transfer and PayPal says you cannot, check your account settings for any notices about holds or limits. You may need to wait a certain number of days, or contact PayPal to lift the restriction.
How to transfer money if your bank account is not linked yet
You must link a bank account before you can transfer. If you do not have one linked, PayPal will not let you complete a transfer to a bank. You can transfer your PayPal balance to a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus card instead, which is faster but requires you to have that card. Most people link a bank account because it is free and works with any bank.
If you want to link a bank account now, follow the steps in the "How to link your bank account to PayPal for the first time" section above. The process takes a few minutes to start, but verification takes one to two business days unless your bank supports instant verification. Once your account is verified, you can transfer immediately.
If you do not want to wait for verification and need the money urgently, consider using an instant transfer to a debit card instead. This costs a fee but works in minutes. After that, you can link your bank account for future transfers and use the free standard option.
Transfers to joint bank accounts and accounts in someone else's name
PayPal will transfer money only to a bank account that is registered in your name. If you try to link a joint account, PayPal may accept it during the linking process, but the transfer may fail or be held if the account holder's name does not match your PayPal account name exactly.
If you have a joint account and want to transfer money into it, link the account under your name and try the transfer. If it fails, contact your bank and ask if they can update the account to show your name as a primary holder, or ask PayPal to attempt the transfer again with a note explaining the account is joint. Some banks and PayPal accounts allow this; others do not.
Do not attempt to transfer to someone else's bank account. PayPal will reject it, and if you somehow get money into an account that is not yours, the bank will reverse it and you may face fraud claims. If you need to send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send money" feature instead, which is designed for peer-to-peer transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my PayPal balance to a different bank account than the one I linked?
No. PayPal will only transfer to the bank account you have linked to your PayPal account. If you want to transfer to a different bank, you must first unlink the current account and link the new one. The new account will need to be verified, which takes one to two business days unless your bank supports instant verification.
What happens if I transfer money and then dispute the transaction?
Once a transfer completes and the money arrives in your bank account, you cannot dispute it through PayPal. The money is no longer PayPal's responsibility—it is your bank's. If you need to reverse the transfer, contact your bank and ask them to initiate a reversal. Your bank may charge a fee or require documentation of why you want it reversed.
Do I have to transfer my entire PayPal balance, or can I transfer part of it?
You can transfer any amount up to your full PayPal balance. When you initiate a transfer, PayPal lets you enter the exact amount you want to move. You do not have to empty your account.
Why does PayPal show a different arrival date than my bank shows?
PayPal's arrival date is when the transfer leaves PayPal's system, not when your bank receives and posts it. Your bank may take an extra day to process it after it arrives, especially if the transfer comes in after business hours. If the money arrives in your bank's system but is not posted to your account yet, wait until the next business day.
Can I cancel a transfer after I have submitted it?
If the transfer is still pending, you can cancel it through your PayPal activity history. Find the transfer, select it, and look for a "Cancel" option. If the transfer has already completed, it is too late to cancel through PayPal—contact your bank instead and ask them to reverse it.