The fastest way to add money to PayPal from your bank account
Link your bank account to PayPal, then use the "Transfer Money" option in your Wallet to move funds over. The transfer takes one to two business days to complete, and PayPal does not charge a fee for bank transfers into your account. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
PayPal offers two ways to move money from your bank: an instant transfer (which costs a small fee and arrives within minutes) or a standard transfer (which is free but takes longer). Most people use the standard transfer unless they need the money right away.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from your bank account to PayPal are free and take one to two business days.
- You must link your bank account first by providing your routing number and account number, which PayPal verifies with two small deposits.
- Instant transfers cost between 1.5% and 2% of the amount you send and arrive within minutes, but are optional.
- Once your bank account is linked, you can transfer money anytime through your PayPal Wallet without re-entering your banking details.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Go to your PayPal account settings and select "Wallet" or "Bank Accounts." Click "Link a Bank Account" and enter your bank's name. PayPal will ask for your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number. You can find both on the bottom left of any check you have, or log into your bank's website and look for account details.
After you enter this information, PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank account—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits arrive within a few business days. Once they land, you log back into PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of those two deposits. This verification step proves you own the account. After confirmation, your bank account is fully linked and ready to use.
If you do not have checks or cannot find your routing number, call your bank's customer service line. They can give you both numbers in under a minute. Some banks also display this information in their mobile app under account details or settings.
Transferring money using the standard (free) method
Once your bank account is linked, open PayPal and go to your Wallet. Look for "Transfer Money" or "Move Money" (the exact wording varies by device and app version). Select "Transfer to Your Bank" or similar, then choose the bank account you linked. Enter the dollar amount you want to move and confirm the transfer.
PayPal will show you the expected arrival date, which is usually one to two business days. The money lands in your bank account, not your PayPal balance—so if you want to keep money in PayPal to spend later, use a different method. Standard transfers are free, so there are no hidden costs or fees.
Transfers initiated on a weekend or holiday will process on the next business day. If you initiate a transfer on Friday afternoon, expect it to land on Monday or Tuesday, depending on your bank's processing schedule.
When to use instant transfer instead
PayPal also offers instant transfers, which move money to your bank account within minutes instead of days. The cost is between 1.5% and 2% of the amount you transfer—so moving $100 costs $1.50 to $2.00. You choose this option at the same screen where you would select a standard transfer; PayPal shows you the fee before you confirm.
Use instant transfer only if you need the money urgently. For everyday transfers, the free standard method is the better choice. Instant transfers work the same way as standard transfers otherwise: the money goes to your linked bank account, not your PayPal balance.
What to do if your transfer is delayed
Standard transfers usually arrive within one to two business days. If more than two business days have passed and the money has not landed, log into PayPal and check your transaction history. Look for the transfer you initiated and note its status—it should say "completed," "pending," or "failed."
If the status says "pending," wait one more business day. If it says "failed," PayPal will show you a reason—often a mismatch between the account number you entered and the one on file at your bank, or a temporary block from your bank's fraud detection system. Contact your bank to ask if they blocked the transfer. If they did, ask them to allow PayPal transfers and try again.
If the status says "completed" but the money has not appeared in your bank account after three business days, contact your bank's customer service. Provide them with the transfer date and amount from PayPal. Your bank can trace the transfer on their end and tell you where it is.
Avoiding common mistakes when linking and transferring
The most common error is entering the wrong routing number or account number during the linking step. Double-check both numbers before you confirm. If you enter them wrong, PayPal's verification deposits will bounce, and you will have to start over with the correct numbers.
Another mistake is transferring money out of PayPal when you meant to transfer it in. The "Transfer Money" menu has options for both directions—moving money from your bank to PayPal, and moving money from PayPal to your bank. Read the screen carefully before you confirm, because reversing a transfer takes time.
Do not link a savings account if your bank charges a fee for transfers out of that account. Some banks charge $1 to $3 per transfer from savings. Link a checking account instead, which rarely has this restriction. If you are unsure, ask your bank whether they charge for outgoing transfers from the account you plan to link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to my bank account instead of the other way around?
Yes. The same linked bank account works both directions. Go to your Wallet, select "Transfer Money," and choose "Transfer to Your Bank" to move money out of PayPal. Standard transfers are free and take one to two business days. Instant transfers cost 1.5% to 2% and arrive within minutes.
What if PayPal's verification deposits do not show up in my bank account?
Wait five to seven business days after you enter your account information. Verification deposits sometimes take longer than regular transfers. If they still have not arrived, your routing number or account number may be wrong. Go back to PayPal's linking screen, double-check both numbers against your check or bank website, and try again with the correct information.
Do I have to pay a fee to add money from my bank to PayPal?
No. Standard transfers from your bank to PayPal are always free. Instant transfers cost 1.5% to 2% of the amount, but they are optional—you only pay if you choose the instant option. Your bank may charge its own fee for outgoing transfers, so check with them before you link.
How many bank accounts can I link to PayPal?
You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account. Each one must go through the verification process with the two small deposits. When you transfer money, you choose which linked account to use. This is useful if you have both checking and savings accounts and want to transfer from different ones at different times.
What happens if I close my bank account after linking it to PayPal?
PayPal will not know immediately, but the next time you try to transfer money, the transfer will fail because the account no longer exists. Go to your PayPal settings, remove the closed account from your linked accounts, and link your new bank account instead. You will need to go through the verification process again with the new account.