Yes, you can link your bank account to PayPal and use it to send money, receive payments, and fund your balance
PayPal lets you connect a checking or savings account from any U.S. bank and use it as your funding source. When you send money or make a purchase through PayPal, you can choose to pull funds directly from your linked bank account instead of using a PayPal balance or credit card. The bank account connection also works in reverse: PayPal can deposit money into that same account when you receive payments or withdraw your balance.
The process takes a few minutes to set up, but PayPal needs to verify the account is actually yours before you can use it. That verification happens through two small deposits PayPal sends to your bank, which you then confirm in the PayPal app or website. Once verified, transfers between PayPal and your bank account are free and typically complete within one to three business days.
Key Takeaways
- You can link any U.S. checking or savings account to PayPal by providing your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or your bank's website.
- PayPal verifies the account by sending two small deposits (usually under $1 each) that you must confirm in your PayPal account within 30 days.
- Once verified, transfers from your bank account to PayPal are free and take one to three business days, and you can use the bank account as your default funding source for payments.
- PayPal holds your bank account information securely and does not share it with merchants or other PayPal users when you make payments.
- If you remove a bank account from PayPal, any pending transfers stop, and you cannot use that account again until you re-link and re-verify it.
How to add your bank account to PayPal
Start by logging into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to Settings (or the gear icon), then select Wallet or Payment Methods. Look for the option to add a bank account or debit card. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
You can find your routing number and account number on the bottom left of any check you have, or by logging into your bank's website or app. Some banks display this information in the account settings or details section. Enter these details into PayPal and select Link Bank Account. PayPal will then tell you to wait for two small deposits to appear in your bank account, usually within one to two business days.
When the deposits arrive, return to PayPal and go back to your bank account settings. PayPal will ask you to enter the exact amounts of those two deposits (for example, $0.23 and $0.17). Once you confirm the amounts correctly, your bank account is verified and ready to use.
What happens when you use your bank account to send money
When you send money through PayPal to another person or business, PayPal shows you a list of funding sources: your PayPal balance, any linked credit or debit cards, and your linked bank account. Select your bank account as the source, and PayPal will pull the funds from that account instead of charging a card or using your balance.
The money does not leave your bank account immediately. PayPal initiates the transfer, and your bank processes it over the next one to three business days. During that time, the funds are in transit, and you may see a pending charge in your bank account. Once the transfer completes, PayPal shows the payment as sent, and the recipient receives the money (or a notification to claim it, depending on their PayPal setup).
If you send money to another PayPal user in the U.S. using your bank account, there is no fee. If you send money internationally or to a business account, PayPal may charge a fee, which it will show you before you confirm the payment. You can cancel a payment before it completes if you change your mind, but once it is sent and the transfer has started, you cannot undo it through PayPal—you would need to contact the recipient to ask for a refund.
Receiving money into your linked bank account
When someone sends you money through PayPal, the payment lands in your PayPal balance first. From there, you can leave it in PayPal to spend later, or you can transfer it to your linked bank account. Go to Wallet, select Transfer Money, choose Transfer to Your Bank, enter the amount, and confirm.
PayPal processes the transfer within one to three business days. Your bank account will show the deposit as coming from PayPal, usually labeled as "PayPal Transfer" or similar. There is no fee for standard transfers to your bank account. If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an instant transfer option (usually labeled Instant Transfer or Express Transfer) that deposits the money within 30 minutes, but this service charges a small fee, typically $0.25 to $1.50 depending on the amount.
Security and privacy when using your bank account
PayPal encrypts your bank account information and stores it on secure servers. When you use your bank account to send money, the recipient never sees your account number or routing number—they only see that the payment came from PayPal. PayPal acts as the intermediary, so your bank details stay private.
If your PayPal account is hacked or compromised, the person with access could potentially use your linked bank account to send money. To protect yourself, use a strong, unique password for PayPal, enable two-factor authentication (PayPal calls this Two-Step Verification), and review your linked payment methods regularly. If you notice unauthorized activity, remove the bank account from PayPal immediately and contact your bank to report fraud.
PayPal also offers Buyer Protection for purchases made through PayPal, which means if you buy something and it does not arrive or is not as described, you can file a claim and PayPal may refund you. This protection applies whether you funded the purchase with your bank account, a card, or your PayPal balance.
Removing or changing your linked bank account
If you want to stop using a bank account with PayPal, go to Settings, select Wallet or Payment Methods, find the bank account, and choose Remove or Delete. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once removed, any pending transfers to or from that account are canceled, and you cannot use it again unless you re-link and re-verify it with the two-deposit method.
If you change banks or close an account, remove the old account from PayPal and link your new one. If you forget to remove an old account and it is closed at your bank, PayPal will eventually notice the account is no longer valid and disable it on your PayPal profile. You will see a message that the account is invalid, and you can remove it from there.
You can link multiple bank accounts to PayPal if you have accounts at different banks. When you send money or transfer funds, you choose which account to use each time. However, PayPal only allows one account per bank, so you cannot link two checking accounts from the same bank to the same PayPal account.
Troubleshooting common problems with bank account transfers
If your bank account is not verifying after 30 days, the two deposits may have been rejected or returned by your bank. This sometimes happens if your account is flagged for fraud or if the bank does not recognize PayPal's deposits. Contact your bank to confirm the deposits arrived, then return to PayPal and try the verification again. If the deposits still do not appear, you may need to link a different account or use a credit or debit card instead.
If a transfer to your bank account is taking longer than three business days, check that your bank account information is correct in PayPal. Transfers can be delayed if your routing number or account number is wrong, or if your bank is processing a high volume of transfers. Contact PayPal support with your transaction ID (found in your transaction history) and they can investigate the delay. If the transfer is truly lost, PayPal can issue a refund to your PayPal balance.
If PayPal says your bank account is invalid or has been removed, your bank may have closed the account, or PayPal may have detected suspicious activity. Log into your bank's website to confirm the account is still open and active. If it is, re-link the account to PayPal. If your bank closed it, link a different account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. When you link your account, PayPal asks you to specify which type it is. Transfers work the same way regardless of account type, and there are no additional fees for using a savings account.
Do I have to keep a minimum balance in my bank account for PayPal transfers?
No. PayPal does not require a minimum balance. However, your bank may charge overdraft fees if you send money through PayPal and your account does not have enough funds to cover the transfer. Check your bank's overdraft policy before sending large amounts.
What if I send money and my bank account does not have enough funds?
PayPal will attempt to pull the funds from your bank account. If there are not enough funds, your bank may decline the transaction, and PayPal will show an error. The payment will not go through. Some banks charge a fee for declined transactions, so check with your bank. You can try again once you have added funds to your account.
Can I use my bank account to pay for things on websites other than PayPal?
No. Your bank account is only linked to PayPal, not to other websites. If another website offers PayPal as a payment option, you can use your linked bank account through PayPal to complete that purchase, but the website itself cannot access your bank account directly.
How long does it take to verify my bank account?
The two verification deposits usually arrive within one to two business days. Once they arrive, you have 30 days to confirm the amounts in PayPal. The entire process typically takes two to five business days from start to finish, depending on your bank's processing speed.