PayPal does not show you a traditional checking account number
PayPal is not a bank, so it does not issue you a checking account with a routing number and account number the way a traditional bank does. However, PayPal does provide bank transfer details you can use to receive money directly into your PayPal balance or link to external accounts. If you need to send money to someone using bank details, or if you are trying to set up a direct deposit into PayPal, you will need to know what information PayPal actually provides and where to find it.
The confusion usually comes from the fact that PayPal lets you link a real bank account to your PayPal wallet, and it also lets you receive transfers using what looks like bank information. These are two different things, and knowing which one you need will save you time.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal provides a bank transfer reference code and routing information you can share to receive money, but this is not a traditional checking account number.
- To see your PayPal bank details for receiving transfers, go to Wallet, then Bank Transfers, then Add Bank Account or View Bank Transfer Details.
- If you linked a real bank account to PayPal, you can see those details in your linked accounts section, but PayPal does not store or display your actual bank password.
- Direct deposit into PayPal (where your employer sends your paycheck) requires you to provide PayPal's routing number and your reference code, not a traditional account number.
- PayPal does not share your linked bank account information with third parties without your permission.
Where to find your PayPal bank transfer details
Open your PayPal account on a computer or in the mobile app. On the computer, click Wallet at the top, then select Bank Transfers. You will see an option to add a bank account or view existing bank transfer details. If you have already set up bank transfers, click View Bank Transfer Details or View Your Bank Information.
PayPal will display a routing number and a reference code (sometimes called a customer reference number or account reference). These are the details you give to someone who wants to send you money via bank transfer, or to your employer if you are setting up direct deposit. Write these down or take a screenshot, because you will need them if you want to receive money this way.
On the mobile app, the path is similar: tap the menu icon, select Wallet, then Bank Transfers, and look for the option to view your bank details. The screen layout differs slightly between iOS and Android, but the information is in the same place.
The difference between PayPal bank details and your linked bank account
When you link a real bank account to PayPal—the account you use to fund transfers or receive PayPal payouts—PayPal stores your bank's routing number and your actual account number. You can see which bank is linked in your Linked Accounts or Wallet section, but PayPal will not display your full account number on screen for security reasons. It will show the last four digits only.
This is different from the bank transfer details PayPal gives you for receiving money. Those details (the routing number and reference code) are PayPal's own routing information, not your bank's. They exist so that people outside PayPal can send you money using a standard bank transfer, and PayPal will deposit it into your PayPal balance.
If you need your actual bank account number for something outside PayPal—like setting up a bill payment or verifying your account with another service—you will need to log into your real bank's website or app, not PayPal.
How to use PayPal bank details for direct deposit
Some employers and government agencies allow you to set up direct deposit to PayPal. To do this, you will need to provide your employer with PayPal's routing number and your reference code. Do not give them your Social Security number or any other personal information beyond what PayPal's bank transfer details page shows.
Your employer will enter these details into their payroll system the same way they would for any other bank account. The money will arrive in your PayPal balance within one to two business days, depending on your employer's processing schedule. Once the deposit lands, you can transfer it to a linked bank account, spend it using a PayPal debit card if you have one, or leave it in your PayPal balance.
If your employer asks for an account number and PayPal's system does not provide one, use the reference code. Some payroll systems have a field for "account number" and others for "reference code"—they serve the same purpose in this context.
What PayPal does not show you
PayPal will not display your password, your Social Security number, or the full details of any linked bank account. If a website or person asks you to provide your PayPal password to verify bank details, that is a scam. PayPal will never ask for your password through email or text message.
You also cannot request a traditional checking account number from PayPal because PayPal does not issue one. If someone tells you that PayPal provides a full checking account with a debit card and routing number, they are describing a different service or a third-party product built on top of PayPal, not PayPal itself.
PayPal also does not share your linked bank account details with third parties. If you authorize a company to charge your PayPal account, they see only that the payment came from PayPal—they do not see your bank information.
Removing or changing your bank transfer details
Your PayPal bank transfer details (routing number and reference code) are permanent and tied to your account. You cannot change them. If you want to stop receiving direct deposits to PayPal, you will need to update your employer's payroll system to send your paycheck to a different account instead.
If you want to remove a linked bank account, go to Wallet, find the account in your linked accounts list, and select Remove or Unlink. This does not affect your bank transfer details—it only stops PayPal from being able to pull money from or send money to that bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give someone my PayPal bank transfer details instead of my real bank account?
Yes. If someone wants to send you money via bank transfer and you prefer not to share your real bank account, you can give them your PayPal routing number and reference code. The money will land in your PayPal balance instead of your bank account. This works for direct deposit, wire transfers, and ACH transfers.
What if I forgot my PayPal bank transfer details?
Log into PayPal, go to Wallet, select Bank Transfers, and view your bank transfer details again. They do not change, so you can write them down or take a screenshot and save it somewhere safe for future reference.
Is it safe to share my PayPal bank transfer details?
Yes. Your routing number and reference code are designed to be shared. They are not sensitive the way a password is. Anyone with these details can only send you money—they cannot withdraw from your account or access your personal information.
Can I use PayPal bank details to pay bills?
No. Your PayPal bank transfer details are for receiving money only. To pay bills from PayPal, you transfer money to a linked bank account first, then use that account to pay the bill. Or you can use PayPal's bill pay feature if your biller accepts it.
Why does PayPal ask for a reference code instead of an account number?
PayPal is not a traditional bank, so it uses a reference code to identify your account within its system. This reference code works the same way a bank account number does for receiving transfers—it tells the sending bank where to route the money.