The fastest way to transfer PayPal to your bank account
You can move money from PayPal to a linked bank account in one of two ways: a standard transfer that takes one to two business days, or an instant transfer that arrives within 30 minutes. Standard transfers are free. Instant transfers cost a flat fee (currently $0.25 per transfer in the US, though this varies by country). Both require you to have already linked a valid bank account to your PayPal account.
The standard transfer is the default option and works for most situations where you are not in a hurry. The instant transfer exists if you need the money the same day — for example, to cover an unexpected bill or move funds before a weekend when your bank is closed.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take one to two business days; instant transfers cost $0.25 and arrive within 30 minutes.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal before you can transfer money, which requires your routing number, account number, and account holder name.
- The amount you can transfer depends on your PayPal account history and whether you have completed identity verification; new accounts may have lower limits.
- If a transfer fails, PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance within three to five business days, and you can then try again or contact PayPal support.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, you need to connect a bank account. Log into PayPal, go to Settings (the gear icon), then select Wallet. Click Link a Bank Account. PayPal will ask for your routing number, account number, and the name on the account. You can find your routing number on the bottom left of any check, or by calling your bank.
After you enter this information, PayPal will make two small test deposits to your account — usually $0.01 and $0.02 — within one to two business days. Once those deposits arrive, you will need to confirm the amounts in PayPal to verify you own the account. This verification step protects both you and PayPal from fraud. Only after you confirm the test deposits can you transfer money out.
If you already have a bank account linked, you can skip this step and move straight to the transfer itself.
How to do a standard transfer
Log into PayPal and go to Wallet. Click Transfer Money. Select Transfer to Your Bank. Choose the bank account you want to send money to (if you have more than one linked). Enter the amount you want to transfer. Review the details and click Transfer Now.
PayPal will show you a confirmation screen with the transfer ID and the expected arrival date. Save this confirmation or take a screenshot — you will need the transfer ID if something goes wrong. The money will leave your PayPal balance immediately, but it will not show up in your bank account until one to two business days have passed. Weekends and bank holidays add extra time, so a Friday transfer might not arrive until Tuesday.
How to do an instant transfer
The process is almost identical to a standard transfer, except you choose Instant Transfer instead of Transfer to Your Bank. PayPal will show you the $0.25 fee before you confirm. The money leaves your PayPal balance right away and should appear in your bank account within 30 minutes, though it can take up to two hours during peak times.
Instant transfers work only with certain bank accounts. If your bank is not supported, the option will not appear, and you will have to use the standard transfer instead. PayPal maintains a list of supported banks on their website, but the easiest way to find out is to try — if instant transfer is available for your account, you will see the option when you go to transfer.
Transfer limits and how they change
PayPal sets a limit on how much you can transfer in a single transaction and how much you can transfer in a rolling 24-hour period. These limits vary based on your account age, verification status, and transaction history. A brand-new account might have a limit of $500 per transfer and $2,000 per day. An older, verified account might have limits of $25,000 per transfer and $100,000 per day.
If you try to transfer more than your limit, PayPal will reject the transfer and tell you the maximum amount you can send. You can either split the transfer into multiple transactions or wait 24 hours and try again. If you consistently transfer large amounts, your limits will gradually increase over time as PayPal gains confidence in your account.
What to do if a transfer fails or gets stuck
A transfer can fail for several reasons: the bank account information is incorrect, the account has been closed, PayPal suspects fraud, or your bank rejected the transfer. When this happens, PayPal will send you an email explaining the reason. The money will return to your PayPal balance within three to five business days.
If the transfer is stuck and you have not received an email after two business days, log into PayPal, go to Activity, and look for the transfer. Click on it to see the status. If it shows as pending, wait another business day. If it shows as failed, read the reason PayPal gives and fix the problem — usually this means updating your bank account information or contacting your bank to ask why they rejected the transfer.
If you cannot figure out why the transfer failed, contact PayPal Support through the Resolution Center. Have your transfer ID ready. PayPal support can sometimes push a transfer through manually or provide more detail about what went wrong.
Fees and when you pay them
Standard transfers are always free. Instant transfers cost $0.25 per transfer in the United States. Some countries charge different fees or do not offer instant transfers at all — check PayPal's fee schedule for your country.
The fee is deducted from your PayPal balance at the time you request the transfer, not from the amount that arrives in your bank account. So if you transfer $100 instantly, $0.25 comes out of your PayPal balance, and $100 arrives in your bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal to a bank account that is not in my name?
No. The bank account must be registered to the same person whose name is on the PayPal account. PayPal verifies this during the linking process and will reject transfers to accounts that do not match. If you need to send money to someone else, use PayPal's send money feature instead, which lets you transfer to another PayPal user or to their bank account directly.
Why is my transfer taking longer than expected?
Standard transfers usually take one to two business days, but delays happen if you transfer on a weekend or holiday, if your bank is processing slowly, or if PayPal flags the transfer for review. Check your email for messages from PayPal. If more than three business days have passed, contact your bank to confirm they received the transfer, then contact PayPal support with your transfer ID.
Can I cancel a transfer after I have started it?
If the transfer is still pending, you may be able to cancel it through the Activity section of your PayPal account. Click the transfer, then look for a Cancel option. Once the transfer has been processed and sent to your bank, you cannot cancel it through PayPal — you will need to contact your bank to reverse it, which they may or may not do.
What happens if I transfer money but my bank account gets closed?
If your bank account closes before the transfer arrives, your bank will reject it and send it back to PayPal. The money will return to your PayPal balance within three to five business days. You will need to link a different bank account and transfer again.
Is there a limit to how many transfers I can make in one day?
PayPal does not limit the number of transfers, only the total amount you can transfer in a 24-hour period. You can make as many transfers as you want as long as the total does not exceed your daily limit. Once 24 hours have passed, your limit resets.