What a PayPal payment request does and when to use it
A payment request is a message you send through PayPal asking someone to pay you money. Instead of you asking for their PayPal details and sending them an invoice separately, you create the request inside PayPal and it goes straight to their inbox. They see the amount, what it's for, and a button to pay you right there.
Use a payment request when you're owed money by someone you know — a roommate's share of utilities, a friend who borrowed cash, a client for work you've done. The request creates a record in both your accounts and gives the other person a clear way to settle up without back-and-forth messages about payment details.
A payment request is different from a PayPal invoice. An invoice is more formal and typically used for business transactions; a payment request is simpler and faster for personal or informal situations. Both create a record, but a payment request skips some of the business details.
Key Takeaways
- You send a payment request through your PayPal account to someone's email address, and they receive it as a message asking them to pay you a specific amount.
- The person you're requesting from can pay using their PayPal balance, linked bank account, or card — they don't need to have a PayPal account to receive the request, though they will need one to pay.
- Payment requests work best for amounts under a few hundred dollars and situations where you know the person; for larger or more formal transactions, use a PayPal invoice instead.
- Once someone pays your request, the money lands in your PayPal account and you can transfer it to your bank account or leave it there to spend.
- If the person doesn't pay within a reasonable time, you can send a reminder or cancel the request; PayPal does not automatically follow up for you.
Step-by-step: sending a payment request on the PayPal website
Log into your PayPal account on the website. Click Tools in the top menu, then select Request money from the dropdown. (If you don't see Tools, look for the menu icon — three horizontal lines — in the top right corner.)
A form will open. Enter the email address of the person you're requesting money from. This should be the email address they use for their PayPal account, or the email where they check messages if they don't have a PayPal account yet. Type the amount you're requesting in the "Amount" field. Add a description of what the money is for — "Rent split," "Borrowed cash," "Freelance work" — so the person knows at a glance why you're asking.
You can leave the description blank, but including one reduces confusion and disputes later. Click Request or Send Request (the button label varies slightly by region). PayPal will send the request to that email address when ready. You'll see a confirmation on your screen, and the request will appear in your PayPal activity.
Sending a payment request through the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Select Request money. Tap the field that says "Who are you requesting from?" and enter the person's email address. You can also tap the contacts icon to select someone from your phone's address book if PayPal has already linked it.
Enter the amount in the "Amount" field and add a description if you want one. Tap Request or Send. The request goes out when ready, and you'll see it listed in your activity. The process is nearly identical to the website version, just adapted for a phone screen.
What happens after you send the request
The person receives an email or notification in their PayPal account (if they have one) with your request. They see your name, the amount, the description you wrote, and a button to pay. They don't have to do anything else — no copying account numbers, no typing in details. They click the button and choose how to pay: PayPal balance, linked bank account, or debit or credit card.
Once they pay, the money appears in your PayPal account within minutes. You can leave it there to use for other PayPal transactions, or transfer it to your bank account. Transfers to a linked bank account usually take one to three business days, depending on your bank.
If the person doesn't pay, the request stays open in your account. You can send a reminder by clicking the request in your activity and selecting "Send reminder," or you can cancel it if you no longer need the money. PayPal does not send automatic reminders or follow-ups on your behalf.
Fees and limits on payment requests
PayPal does not charge you a fee to send a payment request. The person paying you may see a fee if they choose to pay with a credit or debit card instead of their PayPal balance or a linked bank account — that fee goes to PayPal, not to you. If they pay from their balance or bank account, there's no fee on either end.
There is no official maximum amount for a payment request, but PayPal may flag unusually large requests for review, especially if your account is new or has limited history. For amounts over a few thousand dollars, a formal PayPal invoice is often a safer choice because it includes more documentation and is designed for larger transactions.
When a payment request doesn't work
If the person you're requesting from doesn't have a PayPal account, they can still see your request and create an account to pay you. However, if they don't want to use PayPal or don't respond to your request, you have no way to force payment through PayPal. The request is a tool for asking, not for collecting.
If someone claims they paid you but the money didn't arrive, check your PayPal activity to see if the payment shows there. If it does, the money is in your account and you may have missed the notification. If it doesn't show, the payment was never sent. Ask them to try again or use a different payment method.
If you're requesting money from someone in another country, check whether PayPal operates in both countries and whether there are currency conversion fees. Some countries have restrictions on PayPal transfers, and the person may not be able to pay you even if they want to.
Alternatives to payment requests
If the person you're requesting from doesn't use PayPal or refuses to set up an account, you can send them a PayPal invoice instead. An invoice can be paid by someone without a PayPal account, though they'll still need to create one to complete the payment. Invoices are more formal and include fields for itemized charges, due dates, and tax information — overkill for splitting rent with a roommate, but useful for small business transactions.
For very informal situations — a friend who owes you five dollars — a payment request may feel too formal. In that case, you could ask them to send you money directly through PayPal's "Send money" feature if they have an account, or use a different payment app like Venmo or Cash App. Those apps are designed for peer-to-peer transfers and don't require invoices or requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a payment request to someone who doesn't have a PayPal account?
Yes. They'll receive an email with your request and a link to pay. To complete the payment, they'll need to create a PayPal account or log in if they already have one. They can then pay using their PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a card.
What if someone pays my request but I don't see the money?
Check your PayPal activity and transaction history to confirm the payment arrived. If it shows there, the money is in your account. If it doesn't show, the payment was never sent and you should ask the person to try again. PayPal sometimes delays notifications, so the money may be there even if you didn't get an email right away.
Can I edit a payment request after I send it?
No. Once you send a request, you cannot change the amount or description. If you made a mistake, cancel the request and send a new one with the correct information. The person will see both requests in their inbox.
How long does someone have to pay a payment request?
There is no time limit. The request stays open until they pay it or you cancel it. If you want to set a important date, mention it in the description when you send the request, but PayPal won't enforce it automatically.
Do I pay a fee if someone pays my request with a credit card?
No. You don't pay any fee. The person paying may see a fee from PayPal if they choose to pay with a credit or debit card, but that fee doesn't come out of the money you receive — it's added on top of what they pay.