How to Send Money Through PayPal to Friends, Family, or Businesses

PayPal transfers work in three main ways: sending money to another PayPal account, paying someone without an account using their email or phone number, or requesting money from someone else

The fastest route is sending to someone who already has a PayPal account. You log in, click "Send & Request," enter their email address or phone number, type the amount, choose whether it's a personal transfer or a payment for goods or services, and confirm. The money lands in their account within minutes if both of you are in the same country.

If the person does not have a PayPal account, you can still send them money using their email address or phone number. PayPal will notify them that money is waiting, and they can claim it by creating an account or linking it to an existing one. This takes longer — usually a few business days — because PayPal holds the funds until the recipient claims them.

You can also request money from someone through PayPal. This is useful when you are splitting a bill or collecting payment for something you sold. The person you request from will see the request in their PayPal account and can approve or decline it.

Key Takeaways

• Sending money to an existing PayPal account is the fastest method and takes only minutes if you are both in the same country.
• You can send money to someone without a PayPal account by using their email address or phone number, though they must claim the funds within a set time frame.
• PayPal charges no fee for personal transfers between friends and family in the United States, but charges a percentage for business payments or international transfers.
• You need a verified PayPal account with a linked bank account, debit card, or credit card to send money.
• Requesting money through PayPal creates a record of the transaction and works well for splitting expenses or collecting payment for items you sold.

What you need before you can send money

You must have a PayPal account that is verified. Verification means PayPal has confirmed your identity and linked a payment method to your account — either a bank account, debit card, or credit card. If you just created your account, you may not be able to send money until you add and verify a payment method.

To verify a bank account, PayPal deposits two small amounts into your account (usually within one to two business days) and asks you to enter those amounts back into PayPal. To verify a debit or credit card, PayPal charges a small amount and asks you to confirm it. Once verified, you can send money when ready.

The person receiving the money does not need to be verified if they have a PayPal account. If they do not have an account, they will need to create one or link PayPal to an existing account to claim the money you send.

Sending money to someone with a PayPal account

Log into your PayPal account on the website or mobile app. On the website, click the "Send & Request" button near the top of the page. On the mobile app, tap the send icon (usually a paper airplane or arrow).

Enter the recipient's email address or phone number. PayPal will show you if that person has an account. Type the amount you want to send. Then choose the transfer type: select "Send money to friends and family" if this is a personal transfer with no goods or services involved, or "Pay for goods or services" if you are paying for something someone sold you.

This choice matters because PayPal charges different fees. Personal transfers between friends and family in the United States have no fee. Payments for goods or services are charged a percentage (the rate varies but is typically around 2.9% plus a fixed amount). Review the total amount including any fees, add a note if you want, and click "Send."

The money will arrive in the recipient's PayPal account within minutes in most cases. They will see a notification that money has been received. If they want to withdraw it to their bank account, that usually takes one to three business days depending on their bank.

Sending money to someone without a PayPal account

Start the same way: log in, click "Send & Request," and enter the person's email address or phone number. PayPal will tell you if no account is linked to that contact information.

Type the amount and select "Send money to friends and family." PayPal will send the recipient a notification at their email address or phone number letting them know money is waiting for them. They have a set time frame (usually 30 days, though this varies) to claim the money by creating a PayPal account or linking it to an existing one.

If they do not claim the money within that time frame, it returns to your PayPal account. There is no fee for sending money this way if you are in the United States, but the recipient must take action to receive it, so this method is slower than sending to an existing account.

Requesting money from someone through PayPal

Click "Send & Request" and select "Request money" instead of "Send money." Enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to request money from, type the amount, and add a note explaining why (for example, "dinner on Friday" or "half of the electric bill").

PayPal will send them a notification with your request. They can see the amount and your note, and they can approve the request (which sends you the money) or decline it. If they approve, the money goes into your PayPal account within minutes.

Requesting money is useful for splitting shared expenses because it creates a record that both of you can see. It also removes the awkwardness of asking directly — the request sits in their account until they decide what to do.

Understanding PayPal fees for transfers

PayPal charges no fee when you send money to friends and family in the United States using a bank account, debit card, or PayPal balance. If you send money using a credit card, PayPal charges a small fee (usually around 2.9% plus a fixed amount), so avoid using a credit card for personal transfers.

Payments for goods or services are always charged a percentage fee, regardless of how you fund the transfer. This fee is typically around 2.9% plus a fixed amount, though the exact rate depends on your account type and transaction size.

International transfers cost more. PayPal charges a percentage of the amount you send plus a fixed fee that varies by country. The recipient may also be charged a fee by their bank when the money arrives. Before you send money internationally, PayPal will show you the total cost and the amount the recipient will receive.

What to do if a transfer fails or takes too long

If you send money and it does not arrive within the expected time frame, log into your PayPal account and check the transaction history. Look for the transfer in your "Activity" or "Transactions" section. PayPal will show you the status — whether it is pending, completed, or failed.

If the status shows "pending," the money is on its way and should arrive soon. If it shows "failed," PayPal will tell you why — usually because the recipient's account information was incorrect or their account was closed. PayPal will return the money to your account, and you can try sending it again with the correct information.

If the money was sent to an email address or phone number and the recipient has not claimed it, you can cancel the transfer from your transaction history. The money will return to your account when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money through PayPal if I only have a credit card?

Yes, but PayPal will charge you a fee for personal transfers if you fund them with a credit card. For friends and family transfers, use a bank account or debit card instead to avoid the fee. Credit card funding is only free for goods and services payments.

What happens if I send money to the wrong email address?

If you sent it to someone with a PayPal account, contact PayPal right away and explain the mistake. They may be able to reverse the transaction if the recipient has not claimed it yet. If you sent it to an email without an account, you can cancel the transfer from your transaction history before the recipient claims it.

How long does it take to send money internationally through PayPal?

International transfers typically take one to three business days to arrive, depending on the recipient's country and bank. PayPal will show you an estimated delivery date when you send the money. Fees for international transfers are higher than domestic ones.

Can I send money through PayPal on my phone?

Yes, the PayPal mobile app lets you send, request, and receive money the same way as the website. read the app, log in with your account, and use the send icon to transfer money. The process is the same and takes the same amount of time.

What is the maximum amount I can send through PayPal?

PayPal limits vary based on your account age, verification status, and transaction history. New accounts have lower limits, which increase as you use PayPal. Log into your account to see your sending limit, or contact PayPal support to ask about increasing it.