Yes, you can send money from PayPal to your bank account
PayPal lets you move money from your PayPal balance to a linked bank account in the United States, and the process takes one to three business days. You initiate the transfer through the PayPal app or website, choose the bank account you want to send to, enter the amount, and confirm. The money lands in your account as a standard bank deposit—the receiving bank sees it as an ACH transfer, the same method used for direct deposit paychecks.
The catch is that you can only transfer money that is already sitting in your PayPal balance. If you received a payment, sold something, or added funds yourself, that money is available to transfer. If you want to move money directly from a linked debit or credit card without it sitting in PayPal first, that is not possible—PayPal does not work that way.
There is no fee to transfer from PayPal to your bank account, though some banks may charge you a fee on their end (most do not). The transfer speed and any holds depend on your bank, not PayPal.
Key Takeaways
- Transfers from PayPal to a bank account take one to three business days and cost nothing from PayPal's side.
- You can only transfer money that is already in your PayPal balance, not directly from a linked card.
- Your bank receives the transfer as a standard ACH deposit and may place a temporary hold if the amount is large or your account is new.
- You must have a bank account linked to your PayPal account before you can set up a transfer.
- If your transfer does not arrive within three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID.
How to link a bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, you need to add a bank account to your PayPal profile. Log into PayPal, go to Wallet (or Settings on the app), and select "Link a bank account." You will enter your routing number and account number—both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them in your online banking portal.
PayPal will then make two small test deposits to that account, usually within one to two business days. You then log back into PayPal and confirm the amounts of those deposits. This verification step proves you own the account and prevents someone from linking an account that is not theirs. Once verified, that bank account is ready to receive transfers.
If you do not have a check or cannot find your routing number, most banks list both numbers in their online banking system under account details or account information. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number.
The step-by-step process for transferring money
Open PayPal on the app or website and tap or click "Wallet" (or "Balance" depending on your version). You will see your current PayPal balance at the top. Below that, look for an option that says "Transfer money" or "Move money." Select it.
Choose "Transfer to your bank" from the menu. PayPal will show you a list of any bank accounts you have already linked. Select the account where you want the money to land. Enter the dollar amount you want to send—you can transfer any amount up to your full balance. Review the details and tap "Transfer now" or "Confirm."
PayPal will show you a confirmation screen with a transaction ID. Write down or screenshot this ID; you will need it if the transfer does not arrive or if you need to contact PayPal support. The money is now in motion and will reach your bank account within one to three business days.
Why your transfer might take longer than expected
Most transfers land within one business day, but three business days is the maximum PayPal guarantees. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you send on Friday evening may not arrive until Tuesday.
Your bank may also place a temporary hold on the deposit if the amount is unusually large for your account, if your account is brand new, or if your bank has fraud detection rules that flag ACH transfers. This hold is your bank's decision, not PayPal's. The money is yours and will be released automatically once the hold lifts—usually within one to five business days, though some banks hold longer.
If more than three business days have passed and the money has not arrived, log into PayPal, find the transfer in your transaction history, and note the transaction ID. Contact PayPal support through the Resolution Center or the Help section and provide that ID. PayPal can see on their end whether the transfer was sent successfully and can investigate if your bank rejected it.
What happens if you cancel a transfer
You can cancel a transfer only if it has not yet been processed by your bank. Once PayPal sends it, the money is out of your PayPal account. If you cancel before processing, the money returns to your PayPal balance immediately.
To cancel, go to your PayPal transaction history, find the pending transfer, and look for a "Cancel" button. If the transfer has already been sent (the status changes from "pending" to "completed"), you cannot cancel it through PayPal. At that point, you would need to contact your bank to see if they can reverse an incoming ACH deposit, though most banks cannot reverse deposits that have already posted to your account.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal does not publish a single transfer limit that applies to everyone. Your limit depends on your account history, how long you have been a PayPal user, and whether you have had disputes or chargebacks in the past. New accounts typically have lower limits than established ones.
To find your transfer limit, log into PayPal, go to Settings, and look for "Limits" or "Account limits." PayPal will show you how much you can transfer in a single transaction and how much you can transfer per day or per month. If you hit your limit, you can request an increase, but PayPal will review your account first.
Your bank may also have limits on incoming ACH transfers, though most do not. If you are transferring a very large amount, call your bank ahead of time to let them know it is coming and to ask whether they will place a hold.
Transfers to accounts outside the United States
PayPal does not allow transfers to bank accounts in other countries directly from your PayPal balance. If you need to send money internationally, you have two options: use PayPal's international money transfer service (which charges a fee and has its own limits), or withdraw your money to a U.S. bank account first and then use your bank's international wire transfer service.
If you have a U.S. bank account and want to move money to an account in another country, your bank can do this through a wire transfer or SWIFT transfer, though fees vary widely by bank and destination country. Contact your bank for pricing and processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal transfers from your balance only go to a bank account that is linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to someone else's bank account, you would need to send them the money through PayPal's peer-to-peer transfer feature (if they have a PayPal account), or use a different service like Venmo, wire transfer, or ACH transfer through your own bank.
What if my bank rejects the PayPal transfer?
If your bank rejects an incoming ACH transfer from PayPal, the money returns to your PayPal balance automatically, usually within three to five business days. PayPal will notify you of the rejection. Common reasons include a closed account, incorrect account number, or a bank's fraud filter. Check that your linked account is still active and that the account number is correct, then try again.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank?
Transferring your own money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event. However, the money itself may be taxable depending on where it came from. If you received it as payment for work or sold goods, that income is taxable whether it sits in PayPal or your bank. Keep records of what the money was for.
Can I set up automatic transfers from PayPal to my bank?
PayPal does not offer automatic recurring transfers. You must initiate each transfer manually through the app or website. However, you can set up a transfer as often as you want—daily, weekly, or whenever your balance reaches a certain amount.
What if I transfer money and then realize I made a mistake with the amount?
If the transfer is still pending, you can cancel it and the money returns to PayPal. If it has already been sent and posted to your bank account, you cannot reverse it through PayPal. You would need to contact your bank to ask if they can reverse an ACH deposit, though most cannot once it has posted. In the future, double-check the amount before confirming the transfer.