Connect your bank account to PayPal in four steps
To link your bank 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, the link is active and you can transfer money between PayPal and your bank.
The entire process takes about five minutes to start, but the link won't be usable until you verify the deposits—usually three to five business days after you enter your account details. During that waiting period, PayPal holds your bank account in a pending state.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account; you must log into your bank and report back the exact amounts to complete the link.
- The verification deposits arrive within one to two business days, but you cannot transfer money until you confirm them.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number—both appear on the bottom left of a check or in your bank's online portal.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account for free, though the transfer itself takes one to three business days.
- If you see a failed link attempt, check that your routing and account numbers are correct, and that your bank hasn't blocked PayPal.
What information you need before you start
Gather your bank account details before opening PayPal. You need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the unique number for your specific account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, separated by a colon: routing number comes first, then account number.
If you don't have a check, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, account information, or routing information. Most banks display both numbers in one place. You also need to know which type of account it is—checking or savings—though PayPal accepts both.
The step-by-step process to add your bank account
Open PayPal and log in with your email and password. Click the Wallet icon (usually at the top of the page), then look for a link that says Link a bank account or Add a bank account. PayPal will ask you to choose between linking manually or using Plaid, a service that connects to your bank automatically.
If you choose manual entry, enter your routing number and account number in the fields provided. Double-check both numbers before you submit—a single digit wrong will cause the link to fail. PayPal will also ask you to confirm the account type (checking or savings) and may ask for your bank's name.
After you submit, PayPal tells you that verification deposits are on the way. You'll see your bank account listed as "pending" in your Wallet. Do not close this page or log out yet—write down the reference number PayPal shows, in case you need it later.
Waiting for and confirming the verification deposits
PayPal sends two small deposits—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—to your bank account within one to two business days. Check your bank account online or through your bank's app. When you see the deposits, note the exact amounts (for example, $0.23 and $0.17).
Go back to PayPal, navigate to your Wallet, and find the pending bank account. Click on it and select Confirm deposits or Verify account. Enter the two amounts in the order PayPal asks for them. If you enter them correctly, PayPal confirms the link immediately and removes the "pending" status.
If you enter the amounts wrong, PayPal gives you a limited number of attempts (usually three). After that, you'll need to start over by unlinking the account and repeating the process. If the deposits don't arrive within five business days, contact PayPal support—your bank may have blocked them, or PayPal may need to resend them.
What happens after your bank account is linked
Once verified, your bank account appears in your Wallet as "confirmed" and you can transfer money between PayPal and your bank. To move money from PayPal to your bank, click Transfer money, select your bank account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The transfer is free and usually takes one to three business days, depending on your bank.
Your linked bank account also becomes an option when you're paying for something through PayPal—you can choose to fund the payment directly from your bank instead of using a PayPal balance. This is useful if you don't keep money in PayPal regularly.
The link stays active until you remove it. You can unlink your bank account anytime by going to Wallet, clicking on the account, and selecting Remove. Unlinking doesn't affect any transfers already in progress.
Troubleshooting a failed link or missing deposits
If PayPal tells you the link failed immediately after you entered your details, the most common cause is a typo in your routing or account number. Go back and re-enter both numbers carefully, checking them against your check or your bank's website. Some banks also block PayPal's verification deposits as a security measure—contact your bank and ask them to allow small deposits from PayPal.
If you entered your details correctly but the verification deposits never arrive after five business days, log into PayPal and look for an option to resend the deposits or contact PayPal support with your reference number. Your bank may have flagged the deposits as suspicious and rejected them without notifying you; calling your bank's customer service can confirm this.
If you see an error message like "Bank account could not be verified" or "Invalid routing number," verify the routing number one more time—some banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions or account types. Your bank's customer service line can confirm which routing number applies to your specific account.
Security and what PayPal can see
PayPal does not store your full bank account number after verification. Instead, it stores a tokenized version—a secure reference that lets PayPal initiate transfers without holding your actual account details. This means if PayPal's systems are breached, your bank account number is not exposed in the way it would be if you'd given it to a less secure service.
When you link your bank account, you're giving PayPal permission to initiate transfers and deposits to that account. You can revoke this permission anytime by unlinking the account. Your bank also has fraud protections; if you see a transfer you didn't authorize, report it to your bank and they can reverse it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?
Yes. You can link as many bank accounts as you want. Each one goes through the same verification process with the two test deposits. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep business and personal accounts separate.
What if I enter the verification deposit amounts wrong?
PayPal usually allows three attempts. If you fail all three, you'll need to unlink the account and start over. The new verification deposits arrive within one to two business days. To avoid this, write down the exact amounts as soon as you see them in your bank account.
How long does a transfer from PayPal to my bank account take?
One to three business days, depending on your bank. Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days. Some banks process transfers faster than others; if you consistently see transfers take three days, that's normal for your bank.
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. When you link, you'll select the account type. The process is identical for both.
What if my bank rejected PayPal's verification deposits?
Call your bank's customer service and ask if they blocked deposits from PayPal. Some banks flag small deposits from unfamiliar sources as suspicious. Ask your bank to allow PayPal's deposits, then request that PayPal resend them through your PayPal account settings.