The basic steps to transfer PayPal funds to your bank
To move money from PayPal to your bank account, log into PayPal on a computer or use the mobile app, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and choose how much to transfer. PayPal will then send that money to the bank account you have linked. The transfer itself takes one to three business days, depending on your bank and the time you initiate it.
You need three things before you start: a PayPal account with a verified email address, a U.S. bank account (checking or savings), and that bank account linked to your PayPal profile. If you have not linked a bank account yet, PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number—both appear on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank to get them.
The transfer is free. PayPal does not charge you to move money to your own bank account. Your bank may have its own rules about incoming transfers, but most do not charge for receiving ACH transfers from PayPal.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal transfers to your bank take one to three business days and cost nothing.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first, using your routing number and account number from your checks or your bank.
- Transfers initiated on weekends or after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays will not start until the next business day.
- If your transfer does not arrive after three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID, which appears in your transfer history.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Open PayPal and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Select Wallet, then Link a Bank Account. Enter your bank's name or routing number, then your account number and account type (checking or savings). PayPal will send two small deposits to your bank account—usually within two business days—and you will need to confirm the amounts to verify ownership.
Once verified, that bank account stays linked to your PayPal profile. You do not have to re-enter it each time you transfer. If you have multiple bank accounts, you can link more than one, and PayPal will let you choose which one receives each transfer.
When the transfer actually arrives
PayPal uses the ACH network, which is the same system banks use to move money between accounts. ACH transfers take one to three business days. If you start a transfer on a Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, it will likely arrive in your bank account on Monday or Tuesday. If you start it on a Friday at 6 p.m., it will not begin processing until Monday, so arrival will be Tuesday or Wednesday.
Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days. Your bank may also hold the deposit for an extra day if it is your first transfer from PayPal or if the amount is unusually large for your account history.
What to do if your transfer is delayed
Check your PayPal transaction history first. Go to Activity, find the transfer, and note the transaction ID. If the status says "Pending," the transfer is still in progress and you should wait until the third business day has passed. If it says "Completed" but the money has not appeared in your bank account, contact your bank—the delay is usually on their end, not PayPal's.
If the status shows "Failed" or "Cancelled," PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance within one to two business days. Common reasons for failure include a closed bank account, incorrect account number, or a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account. Fix the problem and try again.
To contact PayPal support, log in and go to Help & Contact, then select your issue. PayPal's phone line is available, but chat and email are often faster for transfer questions. Have your transaction ID ready.
Instant transfers and when they are available
PayPal offers Instant Transfer to a debit card for a fee of 1.5% of the amount (minimum 25 cents). This moves money in minutes rather than days, but it only works to a debit card, not a savings account. If you need the money in your checking account urgently, instant transfer to a debit card is the only PayPal option that is faster than one to three days.
Instant Transfer is not available to all users. PayPal enables it based on account age, transaction history, and your bank. If you do not see the option in your Wallet, you may not be may be able to access yet, or your bank may not participate in the program.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal does not publish a single transfer limit that applies to all users. Your limit depends on your account history, how long you have had the account, and how much you have transferred before. New accounts often have lower limits—sometimes as low as $500 per transfer—while established accounts may transfer thousands.
To find your limit, start a transfer and PayPal will show you the maximum amount available. If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can split it into multiple transfers on different days. Each transfer counts separately toward your daily and monthly totals.
Transfers from a PayPal balance versus a linked card or bank account
If you have money sitting in your PayPal balance (from sales, refunds, or transfers in), you can move that to your bank account. If you only have a linked debit card or credit card, you cannot transfer from the card itself—you can only spend from it. PayPal does not pull money from your bank account to send to your bank account.
To check your PayPal balance, open your Wallet. The balance shown is the money available to transfer. If it is zero, you have no funds to move, and you would need to receive money into PayPal first (through a sale, a peer transfer, or a refund) before you can transfer out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer PayPal money to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal transfers only go to the bank account linked to your own PayPal profile. To send money to another person, use PayPal's peer-to-peer transfer feature (send to their email or phone number), or withdraw to your own bank and then send via your bank's bill pay or wire transfer service.
What if my bank account information changes?
Update it in PayPal Settings under Wallet. Remove the old account and link the new one. You will need to verify the new account with the two small deposits PayPal sends. Do not attempt a transfer until verification is complete, or it will fail.
Do I pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank?
Transferring your own money is not a taxable event. However, if the money in your PayPal account came from sales or business income, that income is taxable. The transfer itself does not create a tax liability—the income does, regardless of whether it sits in PayPal or moves to your bank.
Can I cancel a transfer after I have started it?
If the status is still "Pending," you may be able to cancel it within a few hours of initiating it. Once it shows "Completed" or "In Progress," cancellation is not possible. Contact PayPal support immediately if you need to stop a transfer.
Why does PayPal ask me to verify my bank account with two deposits?
The two small deposits (usually under $1 each) prove you own the bank account. You confirm the exact amounts PayPal sent, and that confirms you have access to that account. This prevents fraud and ensures transfers go only to accounts you control.