You can link your checking account to Etsy through their payment settings, then use it as your payment method at checkout
Etsy does not take checking account numbers directly. Instead, you link your checking account to a payment processor — either PayPal or Etsy Payments — and then select that linked account when you buy. The processor handles the actual transfer from your bank. This takes a few minutes to set up the first time, then works the same way every purchase after that.
You will need your checking account number, routing number, and online banking login to complete the link. Etsy's payment system is encrypted, meaning your account details are scrambled in transit and stored securely. Once linked, you can remove the connection anytime from your account settings.
Key Takeaways
- Link your checking account through either PayPal or Etsy Payments in your account settings before you make your first purchase.
- You will need your bank's routing number and your checking account number, both found on the bottom left of your checks or in your online banking portal.
- Etsy Payments processes the transfer directly from your bank, while PayPal acts as a middleman between your bank and Etsy.
- Transfers from your checking account typically post to the seller within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
- You can unlink your account at any time, and Etsy will not store your account number after you remove the payment method.
How to link your checking account through Etsy Payments
Open Etsy.com and sign into your account. Click the account icon in the top right corner, then select Account settings. From the left menu, click Billing, then Payment methods. Click Add a payment method and choose Bank account.
Etsy will ask for your full name, checking account number, routing number, and the name of your bank. Your routing number is a nine-digit code on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it by logging into your bank's website and looking under account details. Your account number is the longer number next to the routing number on your checks. Enter both carefully — a single digit wrong will cause the link to fail.
After you submit, Etsy Payments will send two small test deposits to your checking account, usually within one to two business days. These deposits are typically between $0.01 and $0.99 each. Log back into your Etsy account, return to Payment methods, and enter the exact amounts of both deposits. This confirms you own the account. Once verified, your checking account is linked and ready to use.
How to link your checking account through PayPal instead
If you already have a PayPal account, you can link your checking account there and then use PayPal as your Etsy payment method. Log into PayPal.com, click Wallet, then Link a bank account. Enter your routing number, account number, and account type (checking). PayPal will send two test deposits the same way Etsy does — you confirm the amounts to verify ownership.
Once your checking account is linked to PayPal, go back to Etsy, open Account settings > Billing > Payment methods, and click Add a payment method. Choose PayPal and follow the prompts to connect your PayPal account to Etsy. After that, PayPal will appear as an option at checkout.
The main difference is that PayPal acts as a middleman — your money goes from your checking account to PayPal first, then to Etsy. This adds one extra step, but some people prefer it because PayPal offers buyer protection and dispute resolution if something goes wrong with an order.
What happens when you pay with your checking account at checkout
When you are ready to buy on Etsy, add items to your cart and click Proceed to checkout. On the payment screen, you will see all your linked payment methods. Select your checking account (or PayPal, if that is how you linked it) and review the total. Click Complete purchase.
Etsy will show you an order confirmation immediately. The money does not leave your checking account right away — it typically posts within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. You can track the status of your order in your Etsy account under Purchases and reviews. The seller will see the payment as confirmed and can begin preparing your order.
How long transfers take and when money leaves your account
The time between purchase and the money actually leaving your checking account varies. Etsy or PayPal initiates the transfer immediately after you complete the purchase, but your bank controls when it posts. Most banks post ACH transfers (the standard method for checking account payments) within one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays add extra time — a purchase made on Friday may not post until Tuesday.
Check your bank's website or app to see pending transactions. Most banks show ACH transfers as "pending" for 24 to 48 hours before they become final. Until the transfer posts, the money is still in your account, but it is reserved and you cannot spend it. Once it posts, it is gone from your account and belongs to Etsy or PayPal.
Removing or changing your linked checking account
If you want to stop using a checking account on Etsy, go to Account settings > Billing > Payment methods, find the account you want to remove, and click the trash icon next to it. Confirm the removal. Etsy will stop accepting that account for future purchases immediately, and it will not store your account number after deletion.
If you change banks or get a new checking account, you do not need to remove the old one first — just add the new account the same way you added the first one. You can have multiple checking accounts linked at once and choose which one to use at checkout. If your old bank account is closed, Etsy will reject it the next time you try to use it, and you will need to select a different payment method.
What to do if the link fails or the transfer does not go through
If Etsy rejects your account number during setup, double-check that you entered your routing number and account number correctly. A single digit wrong will cause the link to fail. Log back in and try again, copying the numbers directly from your checks or your bank's website rather than typing from memory.
If the two test deposits do not arrive within two business days, contact your bank to confirm they received the deposits. Some banks flag small test deposits as suspicious and hold them. Your bank can release them, and then you can verify the amounts in Etsy and complete the link.
If a purchase goes through but the money never leaves your account, check your Etsy order status. If it shows as confirmed, contact Etsy support through your account — go to Help > Contact support and describe the problem. If the order is still pending and you want to cancel it, you can do that from your order page, and the hold on your account will release within a few business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to give Etsy my checking account number?
Etsy encrypts your account information during transmission and stores it securely. Your account number is not visible to sellers, and Etsy does not share it with third parties. You can remove the payment method anytime, and Etsy deletes your account number from their system. The risk is the same as linking your account to any other online service — low, but real if Etsy's security is breached. Using PayPal as a middleman adds an extra layer if you prefer not to link directly.
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Etsy and PayPal both accept savings accounts. During setup, you will see a dropdown menu asking for account type — select Savings instead of Checking. The process is identical otherwise. Transfers take the same one to three business days.
What if I do not have online banking or cannot find my routing number?
Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell them you need your routing number and account number. They will provide both over the phone. You can also find your routing number on your bank's website under account details, or use a routing number lookup tool by searching your bank's name plus "routing number."
Do I have to use the same checking account every time I buy on Etsy?
No. You can link multiple checking accounts and choose which one to use at checkout each time. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to use one account for certain purchases and another for others.
What happens if my bank account is closed after I link it to Etsy?
Etsy will not know the account is closed until you try to make a purchase. When you do, the payment will fail and Etsy will ask you to choose a different payment method. You can then remove the closed account from your payment methods. Any pending transfers to the closed account will bounce back to Etsy within a few business days.