Connect your bank account in three steps
To link your checking account to PayPal, you log into your PayPal account, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, enter your routing number and account number, and confirm two small deposits PayPal sends to your bank within one to two business days. Once you confirm those amounts, your account is live and you can send money, receive payments, and transfer funds between PayPal and your bank.
The whole process takes about five minutes to start, but you cannot actually move money until you verify the deposits—which means waiting for them to land and then entering the amounts back into PayPal. Most people complete the full link within a week.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your checking account to verify you own it; you must log into your bank and report those amounts back to PayPal to finish linking.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of any check or in your bank's online portal.
- Linking takes about five to seven business days from start to finish because you have to wait for the verification deposits to arrive.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account for free, though the transfer itself takes one to three business days to show up.
What you need before you start
Have your checking account number and your bank's routing number ready. Both appear on the bottom of any check you have—the routing number is the first set of nine digits on the left, and your account number follows it. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information; most banks display both numbers there.
You also need to be able to access your bank account online during the verification step. PayPal will send two deposits within one to two business days, and you will need to see those amounts in your bank account and report them back to PayPal. If your bank is slow to post deposits or if you do not check your account regularly, this step can take longer.
The step-by-step linking process
Log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. Tap or click Wallet at the top of the page. Select Link a bank account (or Add a bank account depending on your version). PayPal will ask whether you want to link by routing and account number or by logging into your bank directly. Choose routing and account number if you want to avoid giving PayPal your full bank login credentials.
Enter your bank's routing number and your checking account number in the fields provided. Double-check both numbers—a mistake here means the deposits will go to the wrong account and you will have to start over. Select your bank from the list if PayPal shows it, or enter it manually. Then click Link Bank Account.
PayPal will confirm that you have requested the link and tell you to watch for two small deposits. This usually happens within one to two business days, though some banks take longer. You do not need to do anything else at this stage—just wait.
Verifying the deposits and completing the link
Check your checking account online or through your bank's app one to two business days after you request the link. You should see two deposits from PayPal, each under $1, with random amounts like $0.23 and $0.17. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear.
Go back to PayPal and navigate to Wallet > Bank Accounts. Find the account you just linked and look for a prompt to confirm the deposits. Enter the two amounts you saw in your bank account. PayPal will verify them immediately, and your bank account will be fully linked.
Once verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account at any time. The transfer itself takes one to three business days to show up in your checking account, depending on your bank.
What happens if verification fails
If you enter the wrong amounts, PayPal will tell you immediately and let you try again. You get multiple attempts, so do not worry if you misread the numbers the first time.
If the deposits never arrive in your bank account after three business days, the routing or account number you entered was likely wrong. Go back to PayPal, delete the bank account, and start over with the correct numbers. If you are unsure whether you have the right numbers, call your bank or log into your online banking portal to confirm before trying again.
If you linked your account by logging into your bank directly (instead of entering routing and account numbers), and the link fails, it usually means PayPal could not authenticate with your bank's system. Try unlinking and relinking using the routing number method instead.
Transferring money once your account is linked
After your bank account is verified, you can move money between PayPal and your checking account. To transfer money from PayPal to your bank, go to Wallet, select your bank account, and click Transfer Money. Enter the amount and confirm. The money will leave your PayPal balance immediately, but it will not show up in your checking account for one to three business days.
Transfers from your bank account into PayPal work the same way in reverse: go to Wallet, select Add Money, choose your bank account, and enter the amount. This also takes one to three business days.
Both types of transfers are free. PayPal does not charge you to move money between your PayPal balance and your linked checking account.
Security and what to watch for
Linking your bank account to PayPal is safe as long as you use the official PayPal website or app. Never enter your bank details on a link sent to you by email or text, even if it looks like it came from PayPal. Scammers often impersonate PayPal to steal bank information.
Once your account is linked, PayPal stores your routing and account number encrypted. You can unlink your bank account at any time by going to Wallet > Bank Accounts and selecting Remove. Unlinking does not affect any transfers already in progress.
If you see deposits or transfers you did not authorize, report them to PayPal immediately through the Resolution Center. PayPal's fraud protection covers unauthorized transfers, though you may also want to contact your bank directly to report the activity on your checking account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?
The initial link takes about five minutes, but you cannot use it until you verify the two deposits PayPal sends, which usually arrive within one to two business days. After you confirm the amounts, the link is active immediately. Total time is typically five to seven business days.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes, PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical—you enter the routing number and account number, wait for the verification deposits, and confirm the amounts. Transfers between PayPal and a savings account take the same one to three business days.
What if I do not have my routing number?
Call your bank's customer service line or log into your online banking portal and look for account details. Most banks display the routing number prominently. You can also find it on any check you have written. If you do not have checks and cannot access online banking, visit a branch in person with your ID and ask for your routing number.
Do I have to link a bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can use PayPal to send and receive money without linking a bank account, but you will not be able to transfer money out to your checking account. Linking is only necessary if you want to move your PayPal balance into your bank.
Can I link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?
Yes. You can link as many bank accounts as you want to a single PayPal account. Each one goes through the same verification process with the two small deposits. When you transfer money, you choose which linked account to use.