How to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account
You can move money from PayPal to your bank account in a few minutes using PayPal's transfer tool. The money does not arrive when ready — it takes one to three business days for most transfers, depending on your bank. PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers to a linked bank account, though some banks may charge you on their end.
The process requires that you have already linked a bank account to your PayPal account. If you have not done this yet, you will need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks. Once your account is linked and verified, you can transfer money whenever you need to.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to a linked bank account take one to three business days and cost nothing.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first, which requires your routing number and account number from a check or your bank's website.
- PayPal offers an when ready transfer option that arrives within 30 minutes, but charges a small fee (usually around 1% of the amount).
- Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer money directly from the PayPal app or website without contacting PayPal.
Linking your bank account to PayPal for the first time
Before you can transfer money out, PayPal needs to know which bank account to send it to. Go to your PayPal account settings, find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section (the exact name varies slightly), and select "Link a Bank Account." PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
Your routing number and account number both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or app, or by calling your bank's customer service line. PayPal will verify the account by making two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank account within a few days. Once those deposits arrive, you will need to confirm the amounts in PayPal to prove you own the account.
This verification step protects you — it ensures that only you can move money out of your PayPal account to a bank account you control. After verification is complete, you can transfer money whenever you want.
Standard transfer: one to three business days, no fee
Once your bank account is linked and verified, open PayPal on your phone or computer and look for a "Transfer Money" or "Withdraw" button. This is usually in the main menu or under your account balance. Select "Transfer to Your Bank," then choose the bank account you want the money to go to (if you have linked more than one), enter the amount, and confirm.
PayPal will show you the expected arrival date before you confirm — this is usually one to three business days depending on your bank. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you make on Friday evening may not arrive until Tuesday. The money goes to your bank account, not to a card or PayPal balance, so you will see it in your checking or savings account once it arrives.
There is no fee from PayPal for this transfer. Some banks charge a small fee for incoming transfers, though most do not — if you are unsure, check your bank's fee schedule or call them before you transfer.
when ready transfer: 30 minutes or less, with a fee
If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an when ready transfer option. Instead of waiting one to three days, the money arrives within 30 minutes. PayPal charges a fee for this speed — usually around 1% of the amount you are transferring, though the exact percentage varies. You will see the fee amount before you confirm the transfer, so you know exactly what it will cost.
To use when ready transfer, follow the same steps as a standard transfer, but look for an "when ready Transfer" or "Transfer Now" option instead of the standard transfer button. Not all bank accounts may have access to for when ready transfer — PayPal's system checks this automatically and will tell you if your bank is not may be able to access. If when ready transfer is not available for your account, you can only use the standard one to three day option.
What to do if your transfer does not arrive on time
If your transfer does not show up in your bank account by the date PayPal promised, first check that you transferred to the correct account. Log into PayPal and look at your transaction history to confirm the bank account name and last four digits match your actual bank account. If they match and the money still has not arrived, contact your bank's customer service line — sometimes transfers are delayed on the bank's end, not PayPal's.
If your bank confirms they have not received the transfer, contact PayPal's support team through the PayPal app or website. Go to your transaction history, find the transfer, and select "Help" or "Report a Problem." PayPal can investigate where the money went and may be able to resend it or refund it back to your PayPal balance. Keep the transaction ID (a number PayPal assigns to every transfer) handy when you contact them — it helps them find your transfer faster.
Transferring from PayPal to a debit card instead of a bank account
If you have linked a debit card to PayPal instead of a bank account, you can also transfer money to that card. The process is the same — go to "Transfer Money," select your debit card, enter the amount, and confirm. Transfers to debit cards usually take one to three business days, the same as bank account transfers, and PayPal does not charge a fee.
However, your debit card issuer (the bank or company that issued the card) may charge you a fee for receiving transfers. Check with them before you transfer, or look at your card's terms and conditions. Some debit cards, especially prepaid cards, charge a fee for incoming transfers, while others do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal on weekends?
Yes, you can start a transfer on a weekend, but it will not arrive until the next business day. If you transfer on Saturday, the money will not leave PayPal until Monday, and will not arrive at your bank until Tuesday or Wednesday. when ready transfers may be available on weekends depending on your bank.
What if I linked the wrong bank account?
If you transferred money to the wrong account, contact PayPal support right away through the app or website. They can sometimes reverse the transfer if it has not been processed yet. If the money has already arrived at the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank to ask them to return it.
Do I need to have a certain amount of money in PayPal to transfer?
No, you can transfer any amount from $0.01 up to your PayPal balance. However, some banks have their own minimum transfer amounts, so check with your bank if you are transferring a very small amount.
Why does PayPal need to verify my bank account with those small deposits?
The verification deposits prove you own the bank account. Without this step, someone could link another person's bank account to PayPal and steal their money. Once you confirm the deposit amounts, PayPal knows the account is yours.
Can I cancel a transfer after I have started it?
If you cancel before the money leaves PayPal, it will stay in your PayPal balance. Once the transfer has been processed and sent to your bank, you cannot cancel it through PayPal — you would need to contact your bank instead.