The fastest way to pay someone through PayPal
Open PayPal on your phone or computer, click Send Money, enter the recipient's email address or phone number, type the amount, choose whether you're paying a friend or a business, and hit Send. The money leaves your account immediately, though it may take one to three business days to reach the other person's bank account if they haven't linked a PayPal wallet.
The whole process takes about two minutes. You need a funded PayPal account—either linked to a bank account, debit card, or credit card—and the recipient's email address or phone number registered with PayPal. If they're not on PayPal yet, you can still send them money; they'll get a notification and can claim it by signing up.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal transfers to another PayPal user happen instantly, but transfers to a bank account take one to three business days.
- You can pay from your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, debit card, or credit card—choose which one before you send.
- Paying a friend or family member costs nothing; paying a business or merchant may include a fee depending on the payment type.
- If the recipient doesn't have PayPal, they can still receive your money and will be prompted to create an account to claim it.
Step-by-step: sending money to another PayPal user
Log into your PayPal account at paypal.com or open the PayPal app. On the home screen, look for a button labeled Send Money (on mobile, it's usually at the bottom of the screen). Click or tap it.
In the field that appears, type the recipient's email address or the phone number they use with PayPal. If you've sent to them before, their name may appear as a suggestion—click it to select them. Then enter the dollar amount you want to send.
PayPal will ask you to choose a payment type: Friends and Family or Goods and Services. Choose Friends and Family if you're splitting rent, paying back a loan, or sending a gift—this option has no fee. Choose Goods and Services only if you're paying for something the other person is selling to you; this option includes a fee (usually 2.2% plus $0.30 for U.S. transactions).
Review the amount and recipient one more time, then click Send. You'll see a confirmation screen with a transaction ID. The money is now out of your account.
Where the money comes from: choosing your funding source
When you send money, PayPal pulls it from one of your linked payment methods in this order: your PayPal balance first, then a linked bank account, then a debit card, then a credit card. You can change this order or choose a specific source before you send.
To pick which account to use, look for a line that says From or Funding Source before you hit Send. Click it and select the bank account, debit card, or credit card you want to use. If you want to use your PayPal balance but don't have one, you'll need to add money first—you can do this by transferring from your bank or adding a card.
Using a debit card or bank account is free. Using a credit card may trigger a small fee (usually 2.2% plus $0.30) even for friends and family payments, depending on your card issuer and PayPal's current rules, so check before you send if you're using a credit card.
How long it takes for the money to arrive
If you're sending to someone else's PayPal account, the money shows up in their account instantly—they can see it and use it right away. If they want to move it to their bank account, that's when the wait begins.
Transfers from PayPal to a U.S. bank account take one to three business days. Transfers to a debit card are usually faster, sometimes arriving the same day or next business day. International transfers take longer, usually three to five business days or more depending on the country and the receiving bank.
PayPal will send you both a confirmation email and a notification in the app. The recipient gets the same. If the money doesn't arrive within the timeframe PayPal promised, you can contact PayPal support with your transaction ID to investigate.
What happens if the recipient doesn't have a PayPal account
You can still send money to someone's email address or phone number even if they're not on PayPal yet. PayPal will hold the money and send them a notification saying they have funds waiting. They'll need to sign up for a PayPal account and link a bank account or card to claim it.
The recipient has 30 days to claim the money. If they don't claim it within that window, the money returns to your account automatically. Once they sign up and claim it, the money moves to their PayPal balance or bank account depending on how they set it up.
Fees, limits, and what to watch for
Sending money to friends and family through PayPal is free if you use your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a debit card. If you use a credit card, PayPal may charge a fee (usually 2.2% plus $0.30 in the U.S.), though some credit cards and PayPal promotions waive this.
PayPal has sending limits based on your account age and history. New accounts can usually send $500 to $2,000 per transaction; established accounts can send more. If you hit a limit, PayPal will tell you and you can either wait for your limit to increase or contact support to request a higher one.
Watch for phishing emails that look like PayPal notifications. Real PayPal emails come from @paypal.com and include your transaction ID. If you get an email asking you to "confirm your account" or "verify your payment," go directly to paypal.com instead of clicking the email link—scammers use fake emails to steal login information.
Disputing a payment if something goes wrong
If you sent money by mistake—wrong amount, wrong person—contact the recipient first and ask them to send it back. Most people will, especially if you catch the error quickly. If they won't, you can open a dispute in PayPal within 180 days of the transaction.
Log into PayPal, go to your transaction history, find the payment, and click Report a Problem. Explain what happened. PayPal will contact the recipient and ask them to respond. If they don't respond within a set time, PayPal may return the money to you. If they do respond and dispute your claim, PayPal will review the evidence and make a decision.
For payments marked as Friends and Family, PayPal's protection is limited—they assume you know the person and trust them. For Goods and Services payments, you have more protection if the item never arrived or wasn't as described, but you'll need to provide evidence like screenshots or messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a payment after I send it?
If the recipient hasn't claimed the money yet, you can cancel it. Log into PayPal, find the transaction in your history, and look for a Cancel button. If the money has already been claimed or transferred to their bank account, you cannot cancel it—you'll have to ask the recipient to send it back or open a dispute.
What's the difference between Friends and Family and Goods and Services?
Friends and Family is free and has no buyer protection—use it for personal transfers like splitting bills or repaying loans. Goods and Services includes a fee (usually 2.2% plus $0.30) but offers protection if the seller doesn't deliver or the item is wrong—use it when you're buying something from someone.
Why is my payment pending?
Payments are pending when PayPal is reviewing them for fraud or when the recipient hasn't claimed the money yet. If it's been more than a few hours and you're sending to an established recipient, contact PayPal support. If you're sending to someone new or a large amount, PayPal may hold it for up to 21 days while they verify the transaction.
Can I send money internationally through PayPal?
Yes, but it's slower and may cost more. International transfers take three to five business days or longer depending on the country. Some countries have restrictions, and PayPal may charge a currency conversion fee if you're sending in a different currency than your account. Check PayPal's country list before you send to make sure the destination is supported.
What if I don't recognize a payment I received?
Contact PayPal support right away with the transaction ID. If you believe it's fraud, you can open a dispute. PayPal will investigate and may reverse the payment. Do not send the money back to the sender without confirming with PayPal first—if it was fraudulent, you could end up liable for the amount.