Yes, you can link your bank account to PayPal, and it takes about five minutes
PayPal lets you connect a checking or savings account directly to your PayPal wallet. Once linked, you can send money to other people, pay bills, or move cash between your bank and PayPal without using a debit card. The connection is encrypted, and PayPal verifies your account ownership by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account within one to two business days—you then confirm those amounts in PayPal to prove you own the account.
You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of any check you have. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details; most banks display this information there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for both numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Linking a bank account to PayPal requires your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or in your bank's online portal.
- PayPal verifies the connection by depositing two small amounts into your account; you confirm the amounts in PayPal to complete the link.
- Once linked, you can send money to other PayPal users, receive payments, or transfer cash between your bank and PayPal at no cost.
- If verification fails or you enter the wrong numbers, PayPal will flag the account and you can try again after correcting the information.
- Removing a linked bank account takes seconds and can be done anytime from your PayPal wallet settings.
The step-by-step process to connect your bank account
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Wallet (on mobile, tap the wallet icon at the bottom), then select Link a bank account. PayPal will ask whether you want to link a U.S. bank account or an international one; choose U.S. if your bank is in the United States.
Enter your bank's name. PayPal will search its database and show you a match; if your bank does not appear, type the full name and PayPal will search again. Once you select your bank, you will be asked to log in to your bank's website or app directly from PayPal's screen. This is a secure connection—PayPal does not store your bank login credentials. After you log in, PayPal will show you a list of accounts held at that bank; select the checking or savings account you want to link.
PayPal will then tell you that it has initiated the verification process. Within one to two business days, two deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) will appear in your bank account. Log back into PayPal, go to Wallet > Bank accounts, find the account you just linked, and click Confirm. Enter the two amounts PayPal deposited, and the account will be verified and ready to use.
What you can do once your bank account is linked
A linked bank account gives you several options. You can send money to other PayPal users at no cost by entering their email address or phone number. You can also receive payments from other PayPal users directly into your linked bank account instead of holding the money in your PayPal balance. If someone pays you, you can choose to keep the money in PayPal or transfer it to your bank account with a single click.
You can also use your linked bank account to fund PayPal purchases. When you buy something through PayPal, you can choose to pay from your bank account instead of a credit or debit card. Transfers from your bank account to PayPal take one to three business days, depending on your bank. Transfers from PayPal back to your bank account also take one to three business days and are free.
When verification fails or takes longer than expected
If you enter your routing number or account number incorrectly, PayPal will reject the link and show you an error message. You can try again immediately by going back to Wallet and selecting the failed account; correct the numbers and resubmit. PayPal will initiate a new verification with fresh deposits.
If the two verification deposits do not appear in your bank account after three business days, check that you selected the correct account during setup. Some banks take longer to process small deposits, especially if your account is new or if you bank with a credit union. Contact your bank's customer service and confirm that the deposits arrived; if they did, log into PayPal and enter the amounts. If your bank says the deposits never arrived, go back to PayPal and delete the failed account, then start the linking process over with the correct account number.
Security and what happens if your bank account information changes
PayPal encrypts your bank account information and does not store your login credentials. When you link an account, PayPal connects to your bank through a secure channel and retrieves only the account number and routing number. Your bank login is never saved on PayPal's servers, so even if PayPal were breached, your bank password would not be exposed.
If you change banks or close the account you linked, you should remove it from PayPal. Go to Wallet > Bank accounts, find the account, and click Remove. If you forget to remove it and someone tries to send you money or you try to transfer funds, PayPal will flag the transaction as failed and notify you. You can then link a new account and retry the transaction.
Removing a linked bank account or switching to a different one
Removing a bank account from PayPal is instant and does not affect any completed transactions. Go to Wallet > Bank accounts, click the account you want to remove, and select Remove this bank account. PayPal will ask you to confirm; once you do, the account is disconnected immediately.
If you want to switch to a different bank account, you do not have to remove the old one first—you can simply link a new account following the same steps. You can have multiple bank accounts linked to one PayPal account, which is useful if you have accounts at different banks or if you want to keep a backup account active. When you send or receive money, PayPal will let you choose which linked account to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PayPal charge a fee to link my bank account?
No. Linking a bank account is free, and transfers between your bank and PayPal are also free. PayPal does charge fees for certain transactions, such as sending money as a purchase or receiving payments as a business, but the link itself and standard transfers cost nothing.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical—you provide your routing number and account number, and PayPal verifies with two small deposits. Some banks process these deposits slightly slower for savings accounts, but verification usually completes within two business days either way.
What if I do not have checks and cannot find my routing number?
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display your routing number and account number there. You can also call your bank's customer service number (usually on the back of your debit card) and ask for both numbers—they will provide them over the phone.
Can someone else link my bank account to their PayPal account?
No. PayPal requires you to log into your bank's website during the linking process, so only you can authorize the connection. Even if someone has your routing and account numbers, they cannot complete the link without your bank login credentials. The verification deposits also confirm that you own the account.
What happens if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?
If you realize the mistake before verification completes, go to Wallet > Bank accounts and remove the incorrect account. Then start the linking process over with the correct account number. If you have already confirmed the verification deposits, simply remove the account and link the correct one—there is no penalty for removing an account.