Add your bank account through the Venmo app settings
Open Venmo on your phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right, then select Settings. Go to Payment Methods and choose Add a Bank Account. Venmo will ask for your routing number and account number — both appear on a check or through your bank's website. Enter them, confirm the account holder name matches your bank records exactly, and tap Add.
Venmo then sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to that account within one to two business days. Once they arrive, go back to Payment Methods, find the pending account, and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. This verification step proves you own the account and takes a few minutes once the deposits clear.
After verification, your bank account is active and ready to use. You can now transfer money from Venmo to your bank (called a transfer out) or link the account as a funding source for payments to other Venmo users.
Key Takeaways
- You need your routing number and account number from your bank, both of which appear on a check or in your online banking portal.
- Venmo sends two small test deposits to verify you own the account; you must enter their amounts to complete the link.
- Verification typically takes one to two business days after you provide your account details.
- Once linked, you can transfer money out of Venmo to your bank account or use the account as a funding source for peer payments.
- Venmo charges no fee to add a bank account, but transfers out to your bank may carry a fee depending on the speed you choose.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom left of any check you have from that bank. The routing number comes first (nine digits), followed by your account number (typically ten to twelve digits). If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details, account information, or settings — most banks display both numbers there.
Some banks label these differently: your bank may call the routing number a "transit number" or "ABA number," and the account number might appear as "checking account" or "savings account" depending on which account you are linking. Make sure you are copying the numbers for the correct account type — Venmo will reject a mismatch.
Do not use a debit card number or credit card number in place of these. Venmo specifically needs the bank account routing and account numbers to connect directly to your bank.
What happens if verification fails or takes longer
If you enter the deposit amounts incorrectly, Venmo shows an error and lets you try again. You get three attempts before the deposits expire (usually after ten business days). If all three attempts fail, you will need to remove that account and start over with a new verification.
Occasionally a bank delays the test deposits, especially if your account is new or if your bank processes transfers slowly. If more than two business days pass with no deposits, check your bank account directly — they may have arrived but not yet posted to your balance. Once they show, return to Venmo and enter the amounts.
If your bank blocks the deposits or you cannot locate them after three business days, contact Venmo support through the app. They can see the status of the deposits on their end and may be able to resend them or troubleshoot the connection.
Transfers out versus using your bank account as a funding source
Once your bank account is verified, you can use it in two ways. A transfer out moves money from your Venmo balance to your bank account — this is how you get cash out of Venmo. A funding source means Venmo pulls money directly from your bank account when you send money to another Venmo user, without using your Venmo balance first.
Transfers out to your bank usually take one to three business days, depending on whether you pay for faster processing. Standard transfers (no fee) take three business days. Instant transfers (available to most users) cost 1% of the amount and land in your account within 30 minutes. Venmo also offers next-business-day transfers for a flat fee, though availability varies by bank.
Using your bank account as a funding source is free and instant — the money leaves your bank immediately when you send it through Venmo. This is useful if you do not want to keep a Venmo balance or if you prefer to pay directly from checking.
Security and what information Venmo stores
Venmo does not store your full routing or account number after verification. Instead, it stores a tokenized version — a secure code that represents your account without exposing the actual numbers. This means even if Venmo's systems were compromised, a hacker could not extract your real account details from the token.
Your bank account link is tied to your Venmo account, which is protected by your password and, if you enable it, two-factor authentication. Enable two-factor authentication in Settings > Security to add a second layer of protection. This requires a code from your phone or email every time you log in from a new device.
If you suspect fraud or unauthorized transfers, you can remove your bank account immediately from Payment Methods and report the issue to Venmo support. Your bank also has fraud protections for unauthorized transfers, though the process and timeline depend on your bank's policies.
Removing or changing your linked bank account
To remove a bank account, go to Settings > Payment Methods, find the account, and tap Remove. Venmo asks you to confirm; once you do, the account is unlinked immediately. Any pending transfers to that account will fail, so remove it only if you are certain you do not need it.
You can link multiple bank accounts to the same Venmo profile. This is useful if you have both checking and savings accounts, or if you switch banks and want to keep the old account active temporarily. When you transfer money out or select a funding source, Venmo lets you choose which account to use.
If you want to change which account is your default for transfers, go to Payment Methods and look for a default or primary option next to each account. Tap to change it. Venmo will use the default account for transfers unless you manually select a different one at the time of the transfer.
Troubleshooting common problems
If Venmo rejects your routing or account number, double-check that you copied them correctly — even one wrong digit will cause a rejection. Confirm the numbers against your check or your bank's website, not from memory. Also verify that the account holder name you entered matches exactly what your bank has on file; if your bank lists you as "Robert" but you entered "Bob," the verification will fail.
If your bank account is very new (less than a few days old), some banks do not allow external transfers immediately. Wait a few days and try again. Similarly, if you recently changed your account or switched banks, your old account may still be active in Venmo's system — remove it first before adding the new one.
If transfers to your bank account keep failing, your bank may have blocked Venmo transfers. Contact your bank directly and ask if they have restrictions on ACH transfers from payment apps. Some banks require you to whitelist Venmo or enable external transfers in their security settings before they will accept money from Venmo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone else's bank account to my Venmo?
No. Venmo requires that the account holder name match the name on your Venmo profile. The account must be in your name only. If you want to transfer money to someone else's bank account, they need to add their own account to their own Venmo profile, and you send them money through Venmo — they then transfer it to their bank.
What if the test deposits never show up in my bank account?
Wait at least three business days from when you entered your account details, since deposits can take that long. Check your bank account directly, not just your balance — deposits sometimes post as pending. If they do not appear after three business days, contact Venmo support and provide your bank name and account type. They can resend the deposits or investigate whether your bank is blocking them.
Do I have to use my bank account for every Venmo payment?
No. Once your bank account is linked, you choose how to use it each time. You can send money from your Venmo balance, use your bank account as a funding source, or use a debit card if you have one linked. Venmo shows you the available options at checkout.
Can I transfer money from my bank account into Venmo?
Venmo does not allow direct transfers from your bank into your Venmo balance. You can only transfer money out of Venmo to your bank. To add money to Venmo, you must use a debit card or credit card. Some users link a debit card and use it to load their Venmo balance, then transfer out to their bank account when needed.
How long does it take to transfer money from Venmo to my bank?
Standard transfers take three business days and cost nothing. Instant transfers take about 30 minutes and cost 1% of the amount. Some banks also offer next-business-day transfers for a flat fee (usually $0.25 to $1). The speed you choose appears at checkout when you initiate the transfer.