Yes, you can send money from PayPal to your bank account
PayPal lets you move money out of your PayPal balance and into a linked bank account. This is called a transfer, and it's one of the main ways people use PayPal — not just to send money to other people, but to get money back into the bank where they keep their everyday funds.
The process is straightforward: you link your bank account to PayPal once, then you can transfer money whenever you need it. The money doesn't arrive when ready — it usually takes one to three business days — but it's reliable and costs nothing if you choose the standard transfer speed.
This guide explains how the transfer works, what you need to set up, how long it takes, and what happens if something goes wrong.
Key Takeaways
- You must link your bank account to PayPal before you can transfer money out, which requires your routing number and account number.
- Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost nothing; when ready transfers are available but charge a small fee.
- PayPal verifies new bank accounts by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm the numbers, a process that takes a few days.
- You can only transfer money that is actually in your PayPal balance — money held for disputes or pending sales cannot be transferred.
- If a transfer fails, PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance within one business day.
What you need before you can transfer
To transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, you need three things: a PayPal account with money in it, a bank account in your own name, and your bank's routing number plus your account number.
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. Your account number is the unique number for your checking or savings account at that bank. You can find both on the bottom left of any check you have, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the customer service number on the back of your debit card.
The bank account must be in your own name — you cannot transfer to someone else's account. PayPal will verify this when you link the account by depositing two small test amounts (usually less than a dollar each) and asking you to confirm the numbers.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Open PayPal on a computer or in the app and go to your account settings. Look for a section called "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" — the exact name varies depending on whether you're on the website or app. Click the option to add a bank account.
Enter your bank's name, your routing number, and your account number. PayPal will ask whether the account is a checking or savings account. Choose the correct one — this matters because PayPal uses it to route the transfer correctly.
After you submit this information, PayPal will send two small deposits to your bank account. This usually takes two to three business days. Once the deposits arrive, you'll see them in your bank account online. PayPal will ask you to enter the exact amounts of these two deposits to confirm you own the account. Once you confirm, the account is linked and ready to use.
The two ways to transfer: standard and when ready
Standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. Your money goes into a queue with other transfers and moves through PayPal's system at their pace. This is the option most people use because it costs nothing and the wait is short enough for most situations.
when ready transfer puts the money in your bank account within 30 minutes, but PayPal charges a fee — usually between 1% and 2% of the amount you're transferring, with a minimum fee of around 25 cents. So if you transfer $100 when ready, you might pay $1 to $2. This option makes sense if you need the money urgently, but for everyday use, standard transfer is cheaper.
When you start a transfer, PayPal will show you which option is available and what the fee would be. You choose which speed you want before the money leaves your account.
What happens during the transfer
Once you start a standard transfer, the money leaves your PayPal balance right away. You'll see it listed as "pending" in your PayPal transaction history. The money is on its way to your bank, but it's not in your bank account yet.
One to three business days later, the money appears in your bank account. The exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed — some banks are faster than others, and transfers that happen on weekends or holidays take longer because banks don't process on those days.
You can check the status of a transfer by going to your PayPal activity or transaction history. PayPal will show you the date it was sent and usually an estimated arrival date. Once the money reaches your bank account, it's yours to use like any other deposit.
Money you cannot transfer
Not all money in your PayPal account can be transferred. If you're in the middle of a dispute with a buyer or seller, PayPal will hold that money until the dispute is resolved. You cannot transfer held funds.
Similarly, if you've just received a payment from someone and PayPal is still confirming it went through, that money may be marked as "pending" and unavailable to transfer for a short time — usually a few hours to a day.
If you try to transfer money that isn't available, PayPal will tell you why and how long you need to wait. The solution is usually just to wait a day or two.
What to do if a transfer fails
Transfers usually go through without problems, but occasionally one will fail — most often because the routing number or account number was entered incorrectly, or because your bank rejected it for a reason on their end.
When a transfer fails, PayPal returns the money to your PayPal balance within one business day. You'll see a notification explaining why it failed. The most common reason is a typo in the routing or account number. If that's the case, you can delete the linked bank account, add it again with the correct information, and try the transfer once more.
If the same account keeps rejecting transfers, contact your bank's customer service to ask whether they have any restrictions on incoming transfers from PayPal. Some banks have security settings that block transfers from certain sources, and your bank can adjust those settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to transfer money from PayPal to my bank account?
Standard transfers are free. when ready transfers charge a fee of 1% to 2% of the amount, with a minimum fee of around 25 cents. You choose which speed you want when you start the transfer, and PayPal shows you the exact fee before the money leaves your account.
Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account using PayPal?
No. You can only transfer to a bank account in your own name. If you want to send money to another person, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature instead, which lets you send to their email address or phone number — they receive it in their PayPal account or bank account depending on their settings.
What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number?
PayPal will reject the transfer and return the money to your PayPal balance within one business day. You'll get a notification explaining the problem. Delete the incorrect bank account from your PayPal settings, add it again with the correct information, and try the transfer once more.
Do I have to wait for PayPal to verify my bank account before I can transfer money?
Yes. After you link a new bank account, PayPal deposits two small amounts and asks you to confirm them. This takes two to three business days. Once you confirm the amounts, the account is verified and you can transfer when ready. After that, you never have to verify it again.
What's the difference between transferring to my bank and using a debit card?
A bank transfer moves money from your PayPal balance to your bank account — it's moving money you already have. A debit card is a way to spend money directly from your bank account while using PayPal. They serve different purposes depending on whether you want to move money or make a purchase.