How to Transfer Money From Cash App to PayPal

You cannot transfer money directly from Cash App to PayPal

Cash App and PayPal do not connect to each other, so you cannot move money straight from one account to the other. However, you can move money between them in two steps: withdraw cash from Cash App to your bank account, then deposit that money into PayPal. This takes one to three business days total, depending on your bank.

The alternative is to transfer the money to a debit card linked to Cash App, then use that card to fund your PayPal account. This method is faster but costs more in fees if you choose expedited card delivery.

Key Takeaways

• Cash App and PayPal do not have a direct transfer feature between them, so you must route money through your bank account.
• The standard method is to cash out from Cash App to your linked bank account, then transfer that money into PayPal using the same account.
• Cash App charges no fee to withdraw to your bank account, but standard transfers take one to three business days.
• You can also use a Cash App debit card to fund PayPal directly, though this requires ordering a physical card first.

Withdraw from Cash App to your bank account

Open Cash App and tap the balance at the top of the screen. Select "Cash Out" and choose the amount you want to withdraw. Cash App will ask which bank account to send it to — select the account you have linked to PayPal, or link a new one if you have not already.

Standard withdrawals take one to three business days and have no fee. Cash App also offers when ready transfers to a debit card for a small fee (usually 1.5% of the amount), but this is only useful if you need the money when ready and do not want to wait for the bank transfer.

Once the money lands in your bank account, you will see it there before you can move it to PayPal. Check your bank's app or website to confirm the deposit has posted.

Transfer the money into PayPal

Log into PayPal on a web browser or the PayPal app. Go to your Wallet (on the app, tap the wallet icon at the bottom). Select "Link a bank account" if you have not already connected the account that received your Cash App withdrawal, or select that account if it is already linked.

Tap "Transfer Money" and choose "Transfer from your bank." Enter the amount you want to move from your bank account into PayPal. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date — usually one to two business days for standard transfers.

PayPal charges no fee to transfer money from your bank account into your PayPal balance. The money will sit in your PayPal account and you can use it to send to other PayPal users, pay on PayPal-accepting websites, or withdraw it back to your bank later.

Using a Cash App debit card instead

If you have a Cash App debit card, you can use it to fund your PayPal account directly without going through your bank. This skips the middle step and can be faster, though it requires you to have ordered and received a physical card first.

In PayPal, go to Wallet and select "Link a card." Enter your Cash App debit card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). PayPal will verify the card by making a small temporary charge, which it will reverse within a few days.

Once the card is linked, you can use it to fund your PayPal account the same way you would with a bank account. The money comes out of your Cash App balance when you make the transfer. This method is useful if you want to avoid linking your actual bank account to PayPal, though it does not save time compared to a standard bank transfer.

Why Cash App and PayPal do not connect directly

Cash App is owned by Block (formerly Square), and PayPal is a separate company. The two services do not have a partnership that would allow direct transfers between them. This is common in the payments industry — most money transfer apps only connect directly to bank accounts, not to each other.

Both services connect to your bank account, which is why routing money through your bank is the standard method. Your bank acts as the middleman and handles the actual movement of funds between the two services.

Timing and fees at each step

A standard transfer from Cash App to PayPal takes two to four business days total. The Cash App withdrawal takes one to three days, and the PayPal deposit takes one to two days. If you use Cash App's when ready transfer option (to a debit card), you can speed up the first step, but you will pay a fee of around 1.5% of the amount.

PayPal charges no fee to receive money from your bank account. Cash App charges no fee for standard withdrawals. If you use the when ready transfer option on Cash App, expect to pay between 50 cents and a few dollars depending on the amount.

Weekend and holiday delays can add time to both services. If you initiate a transfer on Friday evening, it may not arrive until the following Tuesday or Wednesday.

What to do if your bank account is not linked to Cash App

If you have not linked a bank account to Cash App yet, you will need to do that before you can withdraw money. Open Cash App, tap your profile icon, select "Cash App Card," and then "Add Bank Account." Enter your bank's routing number and your account number (both found on a check or in your bank's app), and verify the account with two small deposits your bank will make.

This verification process takes one to two business days. Once it is complete, you can withdraw to that account. If you want to move money to PayPal and do not have a bank account linked to either service, you will need to link one to both before you can proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from Cash App to PayPal when ready?

No direct when ready transfer exists between Cash App and PayPal. The fastest route is to use Cash App's when ready transfer to a debit card (1.5% fee, arrives within minutes), then use that card to fund PayPal. A standard bank transfer takes two to four business days total but has no fees.

What if I do not have a bank account linked to Cash App?

You will need to link one before you can withdraw money. Open Cash App, go to your profile, select "Cash App Card," and choose "Add Bank Account." Enter your routing and account numbers, and verify with two small deposits from your bank. This takes one to two business days.

Does PayPal charge a fee to receive money from my bank account?

No. PayPal charges no fee to transfer money from your linked bank account into your PayPal balance. Cash App also charges no fee for standard withdrawals. Fees only explore if you use Cash App's when ready transfer option.

Can I send money directly from Cash App to someone's PayPal account?

No. You cannot send directly from Cash App to PayPal. You would need to withdraw from Cash App to your bank, then send from PayPal to the other person's PayPal account or email address.

What happens if the transfer fails or gets stuck?

Contact your bank first if money leaves Cash App but does not arrive in your bank account. If money leaves your bank but does not arrive in PayPal, contact PayPal support. Both services can trace the transfer and recover the money if it was sent to the wrong account.