How to Transfer Money From Your Bank Account to PayPal

The basic path: link your bank account, then transfer

To move money from your bank to PayPal, you first connect your bank account to your PayPal account by providing your routing number and account number. Once PayPal confirms those details — which takes one to two business days — you can transfer money whenever you need it. The transfer itself takes one to three business days to land in your PayPal balance.

PayPal does not charge a fee for bank transfers in either direction. Your bank might charge a fee for the transfer itself, though most do not — check your bank's fee schedule or call to confirm.

You will need your bank's routing number and your own account number. Both appear on the bottom left of a paper check, or you can log into your bank's website or app and find them in the account details section.

Key Takeaways

• Link your bank account to PayPal by entering your routing number and account number, then wait one to two business days for PayPal to confirm the connection.
• Once confirmed, you can transfer money from your bank to PayPal in the Wallet section, and the money arrives in one to three business days.
• PayPal charges no fee for the transfer, but your bank may charge a fee depending on your account type — check before you transfer.
• You can also transfer money the other direction, from PayPal back to your bank account, using the same linked connection.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Start by logging into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to Wallet (on the website, this is in the top menu; on the app, it is at the bottom). Look for a button that says Link a bank account or Add a bank.

PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number. Enter all four pieces of information exactly as they appear. Do not add spaces or dashes unless they are actually printed on your check or in your bank's system.

After you submit, PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank account — usually $0.01 and $0.02, or similar tiny amounts. These deposits arrive within one to two business days. You then return to PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of those deposits. This confirms that you own the account. Once you confirm, the account is linked and ready to use.

How to transfer money from your bank to PayPal

Open PayPal and go to Wallet. Look for Transfer money or a similar button. Select Transfer to PayPal balance (not "transfer from PayPal" — that direction is different).

Choose the bank account you linked, enter the amount you want to transfer, and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date, which is usually one to three business days out. The money will appear in your PayPal balance once it arrives.

You can transfer as much as you want, but PayPal may limit first-time transfers to smaller amounts — often $500 to $2,000 — until your account has a history. If you hit a limit, wait a few days and try again, or contact PayPal Support to ask about raising it.

What happens if you enter the wrong bank details

If you mistype your routing number or account number when linking, PayPal's confirmation step will catch it. The test deposits will go to the wrong account, and you will not be able to confirm them in PayPal. When that happens, delete the incorrect bank account from your PayPal wallet and start over with the correct details.

If you have already transferred money and realize the account details were wrong, contact PayPal Support right away. They can sometimes recover the transfer, but the longer you wait, the harder it becomes. Your bank can also help trace a misdirected transfer, though the process takes time.

Using a debit card instead of a bank account

If you do not want to link your full bank account, you can add a debit card to PayPal instead. The process is faster — you just enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV, and the card is usually ready to use within minutes. However, you cannot transfer money from a debit card to your PayPal balance the way you can with a bank account. A debit card in PayPal is mainly for spending, not for loading money in.

If you want to move money into PayPal without linking your bank account, a bank transfer is your only option. Debit cards work the other way: you can spend from PayPal using the card, but you cannot use the card to add money to PayPal.

Transferring money back from PayPal to your bank

The reverse transfer — from your PayPal balance back to your bank account — uses the same linked bank account. Go to Wallet, select Transfer money, and choose Transfer to your bank. Enter the amount and confirm. The money takes one to three business days to arrive in your bank account.

This is useful if you receive money in PayPal (from a sale, a refund, or a payment from someone else) and want to move it to your checking account. PayPal charges no fee for this transfer either.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for money to show up in PayPal after I transfer it?

One to three business days is the standard timeframe. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. PayPal shows you the expected arrival date when you confirm the transfer.

Can I transfer money to PayPal from someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal only allows you to link and transfer from a bank account in your own name. If someone else wants to send you money, they can do so through PayPal's send money feature, or you can ask them to transfer to your bank account directly.

What if my bank does not show up when I try to link it?

Most U.S. banks are in PayPal's system, but some smaller or regional banks are not. If your bank does not appear, you can still link it manually by entering your routing and account number by hand instead of searching for the bank by name. The process is the same from that point forward.

Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?

Yes. PayPal is a major payment company that handles millions of bank connections. Your routing and account numbers are the same information you would give to set up direct deposit at work or automatic bill pay. PayPal uses encryption to protect this data.

Can I transfer money from PayPal to a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. When you link your bank account, you choose whether it is checking or savings. You can link both if you want, and then choose which one to transfer to each time. The process and timing are the same for both account types.