The basic steps to send a PayPal payment

To send money through PayPal, you log into your account, click "Send & Request," enter the recipient's email address or phone number, type the amount, choose whether you're paying for goods or sending money to friends and family, and then confirm. PayPal will show you any fees before you complete the transaction — this is important because fees vary depending on which option you choose and where the recipient lives.

The whole process takes about two minutes once you're logged in. You don't need the recipient to have a PayPal account yet — they can receive the money and create an account afterward, or they can claim it through a link PayPal sends them.

Key Takeaways

  • Sending money to friends and family costs nothing if you use your bank account or PayPal balance, but sending for goods or services includes a fee.
  • You can send to someone's email address or phone number, and they don't need a PayPal account to receive the money.
  • PayPal shows you the exact fee before you confirm the payment, so you know the total cost upfront.
  • Money sent to friends and family usually arrives within minutes, but international transfers can take one to three business days.
  • You can cancel a payment only if the recipient hasn't claimed it yet — after that, you'll need to ask them to send it back.

Friends and family payments versus goods and services payments

PayPal offers two different payment types, and the difference matters because of fees and buyer protection. A friends and family payment is free when you send from your bank account or PayPal balance. Use this when you're splitting rent, paying back a loan, or sending money to someone you know. The tradeoff is that friends and family payments have no buyer protection — if something goes wrong, PayPal won't investigate or refund you.

A goods and services payment includes a fee (usually around 2.2% plus a fixed amount that varies by country). Use this when you're paying for something you're buying — a used item from someone online, a service like tutoring, or anything where you might need proof of the transaction. Goods and services payments come with buyer protection, meaning PayPal will investigate if the item doesn't arrive or isn't what was described.

If you're unsure which to use, ask yourself: would I want PayPal's help if this went wrong? If yes, use goods and services. If you're sending money to someone you trust completely, friends and family is cheaper.

What information you need before you start

You need one piece of information about the person you're sending to: either their email address or their phone number. That's it. You don't need their full name, address, or bank details — PayPal handles all of that on the back end.

You also need to know how much you're sending and have a funded payment method ready. PayPal lets you send from your PayPal balance (money already in your account), your linked bank account, or a linked debit or credit card. Sending from your bank account or balance is free for friends and family payments; sending from a credit card adds an extra fee on top of the standard payment fee.

How to send a payment step by step

Step 1: Log in and find the send option. Go to PayPal.com or open the PayPal app. Log in with your email and password. On the website, look for a button that says "Send & Request" near the top of the page. On the app, tap the icon that looks like a paper airplane or the "Send Money" button.

Step 2: Enter the recipient's information. Type in the email address or phone number of the person you're sending to. PayPal will search for their account. If they have a PayPal account, their name will appear. If they don't, PayPal will still let you send — they'll receive a notification and can claim the money.

Step 3: Enter the amount. Type the dollar amount (or your local currency) that you want to send. PayPal will show you the exchange rate if you're sending internationally.

Step 4: Choose the payment type. PayPal will ask you what this payment is for. Select "Send money to friends and family" or "Pay for goods or services." This choice determines whether fees explore and what protection you have.

Step 5: Review the fee and confirm. PayPal displays the exact fee (if any) and the total amount that will be deducted from your account. Read this carefully — it's your final note to change your mind. Click "Send" or "Pay Now" to complete the transaction.

How long it takes for the money to arrive

Money sent within the United States usually arrives within minutes to a few hours. The recipient will see a notification that they've received money, and if they have a PayPal account, the funds go directly into their balance.

International transfers take longer — usually one to three business days, depending on the destination country and the recipient's bank. Some countries have slower processing times than others. PayPal will tell you the expected delivery time before you confirm the payment.

If the recipient doesn't have a PayPal account, they'll receive an email or text with a link to claim the money. They have 30 days to claim it. After 30 days, unclaimed money goes back to your account automatically.

What to do if you need to cancel or reverse a payment

You can cancel a payment only if the recipient hasn't claimed it yet. If you sent to someone with a PayPal account, the money is usually claimed when ready, so cancellation isn't possible. If you sent to an email address or phone number and the person hasn't claimed it, you can cancel through your transaction history — go to "Activity," find the payment, and look for a "Cancel" option.

If the money has already been claimed and you need it back, you'll have to contact the recipient and ask them to send it back to you. If they refuse and you sent it as a goods or services payment, you can open a dispute with PayPal within 180 days. If you sent it as friends and family, PayPal won't investigate — you'll need to resolve it directly with the person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I send money to the wrong email address?

If the email address doesn't match anyone's PayPal account, the person at that address will receive a notification with a link to claim the money. If they don't claim it within 30 days, it comes back to you. If you realize the mistake when ready, you can cancel the payment before they claim it.

Can I send money internationally?

Yes, but fees and delivery times vary by country. PayPal shows you the fee and expected arrival time before you confirm. Some countries have restrictions on which payment methods you can use, so check the fee screen carefully.

Is it safe to send money through PayPal?

PayPal encrypts your information and doesn't share your bank details with the recipient. The main risk is sending to someone you don't know — that's why goods and services payments include buyer protection. For friends and family, only send to people you trust.

Can I send money if I don't have a bank account linked?

You can send from your PayPal balance if you have money in it. To add money to your balance, you'll need to link a bank account, debit card, or credit card at some point. If you have none of these, you won't be able to send through PayPal.

What's the maximum amount I can send?

PayPal limits vary based on your account age, history, and verification status. New accounts have lower limits than established ones. Check your account settings under "Limits" to see your current sending limit, or contact PayPal support if you need to send more.