Create and send a PayPal payment link in three steps
A PayPal payment link is a URL you generate and share with someone so they can pay you without needing your email address or account details. You create the link in your PayPal account, copy it, and send it however you want—text, email, social media, or a website. When the person clicks the link, they land on a PayPal page where they enter the amount (if you didn't lock it in) and their payment information, then send the money to you.
The fastest way is through PayPal's "Request Money" tool if you know the exact amount, or through "Create a Payment Link" if you want the payer to choose the amount. Both take about two minutes and work whether you have a Personal or Business account.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal payment links work for any payer—they do not need a PayPal account, just a debit or credit card.
- You can lock in a specific amount or let the payer enter what they owe you.
- The link expires after 30 days if unpaid, and you can cancel it anytime before payment arrives.
- Payment links are safer than sharing your email address because they do not expose your account details to strangers.
- You receive the money in your PayPal balance, and fees depend on whether you have a Personal or Business account.
How to create a payment link with a set amount
Open PayPal on a computer or the mobile app and go to the "Request Money" section. This is usually in the main menu or under "Tools." Enter the payer's email address (optional—you can leave it blank), type the exact amount, add a description of what the payment is for, and click "Request" or "Create Link." PayPal generates a URL that you can copy and share immediately.
If you leave the email field blank, the link works for anyone. If you enter an email, PayPal will also send the request to that person's inbox, but the link itself still works if you share it with someone else. You can customize the description—"Rent for March," "Dinner split," "Freelance invoice"—so the payer knows what they are paying for when they land on the page.
How to create a payment link where the payer enters the amount
If you do not know the exact amount or want flexibility, use "Create a Payment Link" instead. This option is usually in the same menu as "Request Money." You enter a description, leave the amount blank, and generate the link. When someone clicks it, they see a field where they type in how much they want to send.
This method works well for split bills, tips, or donations where the amount varies. The payer still cannot change the description you wrote, so make it clear what the payment is for. Once they enter the amount and complete the transaction, the money lands in your PayPal account the same way it would with a fixed-amount link.
Where to send the payment link and what happens next
Copy the link from PayPal and paste it anywhere: text message, email, WhatsApp, Slack, a website, or social media. There is no restriction on how you share it. When the payer clicks the link, they land on a PayPal payment page that does not require them to log in or have a PayPal account. They enter their name, email, and card or bank details, review the amount, and click to pay.
The transaction processes immediately, and you see the payment in your PayPal balance within minutes. The payer receives a receipt by email. If the payer closes the page without paying, the link stays active for 30 days. After 30 days, the link expires and you will need to create a new one if they still owe you money.
Fees and what you actually receive
PayPal charges different fees depending on your account type. Personal accounts are charged a flat fee plus a percentage for each payment received through a payment link—the exact rate varies by country and payment method. Business accounts typically pay a higher percentage fee but may have different structures if you are invoicing regularly.
You can see the fee before you create the link. When someone pays you, the fee is deducted from what you receive, so if they send $100 and the fee is $3.49, you get $96.51 in your PayPal balance. You can then transfer that balance to your bank account, use it to pay others, or leave it in PayPal for future transactions.
Canceling a payment link or checking its status
If you need to cancel a link before someone pays, go back to your PayPal account and find the request or link in your transaction history or requests section. Most versions of PayPal let you click "Cancel" next to the unpaid request. Once canceled, the link no longer works and anyone who tries to use it will see an error message.
You can also see whether a link has been paid or is still waiting. PayPal shows you the status of each request—pending, paid, or expired. If a link expires after 30 days and you still need payment, create a new one and share it again. There is no limit to how many links you can create.
Security and what information the payer sees
When you share a payment link, the payer does not see your PayPal email address, full name, or account details. They only see what you put in the description and the amount (if you set one). This is safer than texting your email address to someone you do not know well, because it limits what information they have about your account.
PayPal handles the payment processing, so the payer's card or bank information goes directly to PayPal, not to you. You never see their full card number or bank account details. The transaction is encrypted and protected by PayPal's fraud detection, the same way any online payment is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the person paying need a PayPal account?
No. They can pay with any debit or credit card without logging into PayPal or creating an account. They land on a guest checkout page where they enter their card details and complete the payment in seconds.
Can I change the amount after I create the link?
If you created a link with a set amount, you cannot change it—you have to cancel that link and create a new one with the correct amount. If you created a link where the payer enters the amount, there is nothing to change; they will type in whatever they owe.
What happens if the payment link expires?
Links expire after 30 days of being unpaid. Once expired, anyone who clicks it will see an error. You can create a new link and share it again. There is no penalty for expired links; you just need to generate a fresh one.
Can I use a payment link on my website or social media?
Yes. Paste the link into your website, Instagram bio, TikTok, or any platform that allows URLs. When someone clicks it, they go straight to the PayPal payment page. This is a common way to collect donations, tips, or payments for services.
Is there a limit to how many payment links I can create?
No. You can create as many links as you need. Each one is separate, so you can track which payments have arrived and which are still pending by looking at your PayPal history.