Link your bank account in the Venmo app by entering your routing and account numbers
Open Venmo on your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select "Settings." Go to "Payment Methods" and choose "Add Bank Account." Venmo will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number. You can find both numbers on a check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.
After you enter this information, Venmo sends two small deposits to your bank account—usually within one to two business days. These deposits are typically between $0.01 and $0.99. You then return to Venmo, go back to "Payment Methods," and confirm the exact amounts of those two deposits. This verification step proves you own the account and prevents someone else from linking a bank account that isn't theirs.
Once verified, your bank account appears in your Venmo payment methods. You can now send money from your bank account to other Venmo users, or receive money from them and transfer it to your bank.
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 confirm you own the account; you must verify the amounts in the app to complete the link.
- The verification process takes one to two business days for the deposits to arrive, plus a few minutes to confirm them in Venmo.
- Once linked, your bank account becomes a payment method you can use to send money or receive transfers from other Venmo users.
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. The routing number comes first (nine digits), followed by your account number (usually ten to twelve digits). If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number. Have your account number or card ready when you call. Some banks also print this information on bank statements or inside your online banking portal under account settings.
What happens during the verification step
After you enter your account information, Venmo initiates two small deposits—usually $0.01, $0.02, $0.03, or similar amounts. These deposits appear in your bank account within one to two business days. The amounts are random and intentionally small so that only someone with access to your actual bank account can see them.
Once the deposits land, return to Venmo, navigate back to "Payment Methods," and select the bank account you just added. Venmo will prompt you to enter the exact amounts of both deposits. Type in the two numbers, and Venmo confirms the account is yours. Your bank account is now fully linked and ready to use.
If you do not see the deposits after two business days, check that you entered the correct routing and account numbers. If the numbers were wrong, Venmo will not be able to send the deposits, and you will need to delete that bank account from Venmo and add it again with the correct information.
Sending money from your linked bank account
Once your bank account is verified, tap the payment icon in Venmo (usually a circle with a dollar sign or arrow), select the person you want to send money to, and enter the amount. Before you confirm, Venmo shows you which payment method is selected. Tap on it to change it if you want to use your bank account instead of a debit card or other method.
Transfers from your bank account to another Venmo user take one to three business days to process. The money leaves your bank account right away, but the recipient does not see it in their Venmo account until the transfer clears. If you need the money to arrive faster, use a debit card linked to Venmo instead—those transfers are usually instant.
Receiving money and transferring it to your bank
When someone sends you money through Venmo, it lands in your Venmo balance immediately. That balance lives inside the Venmo app—it is not automatically in your bank account. To move money from Venmo to your bank account, tap the menu icon, go to "Settings," select "Payment Methods," and choose "Transfer to Bank."
Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. Standard transfers take one to three business days and are free. Venmo also offers an instant transfer option for a small fee (usually $0.25 to $1.25 depending on the amount), which moves the money to your bank account within minutes. Choose the speed that fits your timeline.
Security and what to watch for
Linking your bank account to Venmo means Venmo has access to your routing and account numbers. Venmo encrypts this information and stores it securely, but you should still monitor your bank account for any unauthorized activity. Check your bank statements regularly, especially in the first week after linking.
Do not share your Venmo login credentials with anyone, and do not click links in text messages or emails claiming to be from Venmo—these are often phishing attempts. If you see a transfer you did not make, contact Venmo support immediately through the app and also notify your bank. Venmo has a dispute process for unauthorized transfers, though your bank's fraud protection may also cover you.
If you no longer want your bank account linked to Venmo, go to "Settings," select "Payment Methods," find your bank account, and tap "Remove." The account is deleted from Venmo immediately, though any pending transfers will still process.
Troubleshooting a failed link
If Venmo rejects your routing or account number, double-check both numbers against your check or bank portal. A single digit wrong will cause the link to fail. Some banks use different routing numbers for different branches or transaction types—if you are unsure which one to use, call your bank and ask for the routing number to use with Venmo.
If the verification deposits do not arrive after two business days, delete the bank account from Venmo and try adding it again. Make sure you are using the correct account type (checking versus savings) when you re-enter the information. If the problem persists, contact Venmo support through the app or your bank's customer service to confirm the account is active and can receive transfers.
Some banks flag Venmo's test deposits as suspicious and block them. If this happens, contact your bank and let them know you are expecting small deposits from Venmo for verification purposes. Ask them to allow the deposits through, then wait another one to two business days for them to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link multiple bank accounts to Venmo?
Yes. You can add more than one bank account to Venmo by repeating the process for each account. Each account must be verified with the two test deposits. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep personal and business money separate.
Do I need a Venmo debit card to link my bank account?
No. Linking a bank account and getting a Venmo debit card are separate steps. You can link your bank account and send or receive money without ever ordering a card. The card is optional and only needed if you want to make purchases or withdraw cash at ATMs using your Venmo balance.
What if I enter the wrong verification amounts?
Venmo will tell you the amounts are incorrect and ask you to try again. You have multiple attempts to enter the correct amounts. If you cannot remember them, check your bank statement for the two small deposits Venmo sent, or contact Venmo support for help.
How long does it take to link a bank account?
The entire process usually takes two to four business days. You enter your information immediately, the test deposits arrive within one to two business days, you verify the amounts (which takes a few minutes), and your account is then active. Transfers from your linked account to other Venmo users take an additional one to three business days.
Is it safe to give Venmo my bank account number?
Venmo uses encryption and security measures to protect your account information. However, you should monitor your bank account for unauthorized activity after linking. If you see suspicious transfers, contact your bank and Venmo immediately. Your bank's fraud protection may also cover unauthorized transfers even if Venmo's does not.