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 bank's routing number and your account number, and confirm two small deposits PayPal sends to your account within one to two business days. Once you confirm those deposits, 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've confirmed the deposits — usually three to five business days after you enter your account details. Until then, you can still receive money in PayPal and spend it there, but you cannot move it to your bank.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small deposits (typically under $1 each) to your bank account to verify you own it; you must log into your bank and confirm the amounts in PayPal to complete the link.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number — both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them in your bank's app or by calling customer service.
- The verification deposits arrive within one to two business days, but PayPal may take up to five business days total to activate the link after you confirm them.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account for free, though the transfer itself takes one to three business days depending on your bank.
- If you enter your account details wrong, PayPal will reject the link; you can try again immediately with the correct information.
Gather your bank account information before you start
You will need two pieces of information from your bank: your routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have — the routing number is the first set of nine digits, and the account number follows it. If you don't have a check, log into your bank's mobile app or website and look for account details, or call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read both numbers to you.
Make sure you have the account number for the specific account you want to link. If you have a checking account and a savings account, they have different account numbers. PayPal will only transfer to the account number you enter, so if you link your savings account by mistake, transfers will go there until you change it.
Enter your account details into PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or in the PayPal app. On a computer, click Wallet at the top, then click Link a bank account. In the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then Wallet, then Link a bank account. PayPal will ask you to select your bank from a list or enter it manually.
Type your bank's name and select it from the dropdown. Then enter your routing number and account number in the fields PayPal provides. Double-check both numbers before you click Link Bank Account — if either one is wrong, PayPal will reject the link and you'll have to start over. Once you submit, PayPal will tell you that verification deposits are on the way.
Wait for the verification deposits and confirm them
PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank account, usually within one to two business days. The amounts are random and typically less than $1 each — for example, $0.23 and $0.17. Check your bank account online or in your bank's app for these deposits. Write down both amounts.
Go back to PayPal and look for a prompt to confirm the deposit amounts. On a computer, this is usually in your Wallet under the bank account you just linked. In the app, tap Wallet and find the bank account. Enter the two amounts PayPal asks for. If the amounts match what you saw in your bank account, PayPal will confirm the link is active. If they don't match, you may have selected the wrong account at your bank — go back and check.
What happens if the deposits don't arrive
If you don't see the deposits after five business days, log into PayPal and check the status of your bank link. PayPal will show you whether the link is pending, rejected, or active. If it's rejected, PayPal usually tells you why — most often because the routing number or account number was incorrect, or because the account is not in your name.
If the link was rejected, you can delete it and try again with the correct information. If the link is still pending after five business days, contact your bank and ask whether the deposits arrived under a different name or description — sometimes PayPal's name appears differently on bank statements. If your bank says the deposits never arrived, contact PayPal's support team with your bank account number and routing number, and they can investigate whether the deposits were sent to the wrong account.
Transfer money from PayPal to your bank once the link is active
Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank account at any time. In PayPal, go to Wallet, click or tap your bank account, and select Transfer to your bank. Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. PayPal will show you the transfer fee (usually zero for standard transfers) and the date the money will arrive.
Standard transfers take one to three business days, depending on your bank. Instant transfers are available in some cases and cost a small fee (usually 1% of the amount, with a minimum fee). The money goes directly to the account number you linked, so make sure you linked the right account before you transfer. Once the transfer is submitted, you cannot cancel it, so if you transferred to the wrong account, you'll need to contact PayPal support to recover the money.
Unlink or change your bank account
If you need to remove your bank account from PayPal, go to Wallet, find the bank account, and select Remove or Unlink. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you unlink it, you can no longer transfer money to that account through PayPal, but any transfers already in progress will still go through.
To link a different bank account, follow the same steps as before — go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, and enter the new account details. You can have multiple bank accounts linked to PayPal at the same time, and you can choose which one to transfer to each time you make a transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to confirm the deposits PayPal sends?
Yes. PayPal will not activate your bank link until you confirm the two deposit amounts. This is how PayPal verifies that you own the account. If you don't confirm within a certain time frame (usually 30 days), the link will expire and you'll have to start over.
What if I entered the wrong account number?
If you realize you made a mistake before confirming the deposits, delete the link and start over with the correct account number. If you already confirmed the deposits to the wrong account, contact PayPal support — they can help you recover the money or move the link to the correct account.
Can I link a joint bank account?
Yes, but the account must be in your name (or your name must be on the account). PayPal checks the name on the account against the name on your PayPal account. If they don't match, the link will be rejected.
Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?
Yes. PayPal is encrypted and regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Giving PayPal your routing number and account number is the same as giving it to any other service that moves money, like your employer's payroll system or a bill payment service.
How long does it take to transfer money from PayPal to my bank?
Standard transfers take one to three business days. Instant transfers are faster but cost a fee. Weekends and bank holidays add extra time — a transfer submitted on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday.