Add your bank account through PayPal's wallet settings
To add a bank account to PayPal, log into your account, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, and enter your routing number and account number. PayPal will then send two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to that account within one to two business days. You confirm the amounts of those deposits back in PayPal to verify you own the account. The whole process takes three to five business days from start to finish.
You need your bank's routing number and your full account number before you start. Both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can call your bank to ask. Have them ready before you open PayPal.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account and asks you to confirm the amounts to prove ownership.
- The verification process takes three to five business days total, depending on how fast your bank processes deposits.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both found on a check or available from your bank by phone.
- Once verified, your bank account can be used to fund PayPal transfers, pay bills through PayPal, or receive money from other PayPal users.
- PayPal stores your account information encrypted and does not share it with merchants or other PayPal users without your permission.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. Your account number is unique to your checking or savings account at that bank. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, in this order: routing number, then account number, then check number on the far right.
If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line (the number is on your debit card or bank statement) and ask for your routing number and account number. Have your account number or debit card ready when you call. The bank will give you both numbers over the phone in under a minute.
Do not use a credit card number or a savings account at a different bank. PayPal needs the routing and account numbers for the specific bank account you want to link.
How the verification deposits work
After you enter your routing and account numbers, PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank account. These are real money—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—and they will show up in your bank account within one to two business days. The deposits come from PayPal, Inc. and may appear with a description like "PayPal Verification" or similar.
Once you see both deposits in your bank account, log back into PayPal, go to Wallet, find the bank account you just added, and select Confirm deposits. Enter the exact amounts of the two deposits. PayPal will verify the amounts match what they sent, and your account will be fully linked.
If you do not see the deposits after two business days, check that you entered the routing and account numbers correctly. If they are wrong, PayPal will not be able to send the deposits. You can delete the account and try again with the correct numbers.
What happens if verification fails
Verification fails most often because the routing or account number was entered incorrectly. If the deposits do not arrive after two business days, go back to your bank account details in PayPal and check that both numbers match what your bank gave you. If you find an error, delete the account and add it again with the correct information.
If the numbers are correct but the deposits still do not arrive, your bank may be blocking them. Some banks flag small deposits from outside sources as suspicious. Call your bank and tell them PayPal is sending verification deposits to your account. Ask them to allow the deposits through. Once they do, the deposits should arrive within one business day.
If more than five business days pass and you still have not received the deposits, contact PayPal's customer service through your account. They can resend the deposits or help you troubleshoot the connection.
Using your bank account after it is linked
Once your bank account is verified, you can use it to fund several types of PayPal transactions. You can transfer money from your bank account to your PayPal balance, pay bills through PayPal's bill pay feature, or use it as the funding source when you send money to another PayPal user. Your bank account will appear as an option whenever PayPal asks you to choose a payment method.
You can also set your bank account as your default funding source, which means PayPal will pull from it automatically if your PayPal balance is too low to cover a transaction. This is useful if you use PayPal regularly and do not want to manually transfer money each time.
Removing a linked bank account is just as simple: go to Wallet, find the account, and select Remove. PayPal will stop using it immediately, though any pending transactions will still go through.
Security and privacy of your bank information
PayPal encrypts your routing and account numbers and stores them on secure servers. Your bank details are not shared with merchants, other PayPal users, or third parties without your explicit permission. When you make a purchase through PayPal using your linked bank account, the merchant sees only that the payment came from PayPal—they do not see your bank account number.
PayPal is required by federal law to protect your financial information under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and similar regulations. If your account is ever compromised, PayPal's buyer protection policy covers unauthorized transactions, though the coverage and process differ depending on whether you used your bank account, credit card, or PayPal balance.
You can view all linked bank accounts in your Wallet settings at any time. If you see an account you did not add, remove it immediately and change your PayPal password.
Troubleshooting common problems
If PayPal says your routing number is invalid, double-check it against your check or your bank's website. Routing numbers are specific to each bank and branch, so even a single wrong digit will cause the system to reject it. If you are unsure, call your bank and confirm the number before trying again.
If your bank account is already linked to another PayPal account, you cannot link it to a second one. PayPal allows each bank account to be connected to only one PayPal account. If you need to move the account to a different PayPal profile, remove it from the first account first, wait 24 hours, then add it to the second account.
If you are trying to link a business bank account, the process is the same, but PayPal may ask for additional information to verify that you are authorized to use that account. Have your business tax ID or EIN ready if PayPal requests it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?
The full process takes three to five business days. You enter your information immediately, PayPal sends verification deposits within one to two business days, and you confirm the amounts. Once confirmed, your account is linked and ready to use.
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts as long as you provide the correct routing and account numbers for that specific account. The verification process is identical.
What if I enter the wrong routing number and the deposits go to the wrong bank?
The deposits will not reach your account, and verification will fail. You can delete the account from PayPal and add it again with the correct routing number. The deposits sent to the wrong bank will be returned to PayPal automatically.
Do I have to keep my bank account linked to PayPal?
No. You can remove it at any time from your Wallet settings. Removing it does not affect past transactions, but PayPal will no longer be able to pull money from that account for future payments.
Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?
Yes. PayPal encrypts your information and is required by federal law to protect it. Your bank details are not shared with merchants or other users. If you are concerned, you can remove the account at any time and use a credit card or PayPal balance instead.