How to Transfer Money From PayPal to Your Bank Account

The Basic Steps to Move Money Out of PayPal

To transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, you log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and choose how much to send. PayPal then moves the money to the account you've linked — usually within one to three business days, though the exact timing depends on your bank. The money lands as a regular deposit, just like a paycheck or any other transfer would.

You need two things before you start: a PayPal account with a balance, and a U.S. bank account (checking or savings) that you've already connected to PayPal. If you haven't linked a bank account yet, PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number — the same information you'd give an employer for direct deposit.

Key Takeaways

• PayPal transfers to your bank account take one to three business days and arrive as a regular deposit with no fee.
• You must link your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number.
• The transfer happens through PayPal's Wallet section, where you choose the amount and confirm the receiving bank account.
• PayPal holds some transfers for review, which can add a few days — this is more common on your first transfer or for large amounts.
• If you need the money faster, PayPal offers an when ready transfer option to a debit card for a small fee.

Linking Your Bank Account to PayPal

Before you can transfer money out, PayPal needs to know which bank account to send it to. Go to your PayPal account settings, find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section (the exact name varies slightly depending on whether you're on desktop or mobile), and select "Link a Bank Account." PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number — both appear on the bottom left of any check you have, or you can call your bank's customer service line to ask.

PayPal may verify the account by sending two small deposits (usually under a dollar each) to your bank. Your bank will show these deposits in your account within a few days. Once you see them, PayPal will ask you to confirm the amounts. This verification step protects both you and PayPal by proving you actually own the account. After you confirm, the account is linked and ready to use.

If you have multiple bank accounts, you can link more than one to the same PayPal account. You'll choose which one to send money to each time you make a transfer.

How to Send Money From PayPal to Your Bank

Once your bank account is linked, transferring money is straightforward. Log into PayPal on a computer or the PayPal app, and look for "Wallet" or "Money" in the main menu. Tap or click it, then find the option to transfer money to your bank (PayPal labels this as "Transfer to Your Bank" or sometimes "Move Money"). Select the bank account you want the money to go to — if you've only linked one, it will be pre-selected.

Enter the amount you want to transfer. You can send any amount up to your PayPal balance. Review the details: the amount, the receiving bank account, and the expected arrival date. PayPal will show you when the money should land — usually one to three business days. Confirm the transfer, and it's done. You'll see the money leave your PayPal balance right away, but it won't show up in your bank account until the transfer completes.

PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers to your bank account. The money you see in PayPal is the money that will arrive in your bank.

Why PayPal Might Hold Your Transfer

Sometimes PayPal puts a transfer on hold for a few extra days before sending it to your bank. This usually happens on your first transfer, on unusually large amounts, or if PayPal's fraud detection system flags something as unusual. When this happens, PayPal will tell you in the app or by email — you'll see a message saying the transfer is under review.

A hold does not mean the transfer won't go through. It means PayPal is taking extra time to confirm everything is legitimate. The hold typically lasts a few days, and then the transfer proceeds normally. You can contact PayPal's customer service if you want to ask why a specific transfer is on hold, but you cannot speed it up — you have to wait for the review to finish.

To reduce the chance of a hold on future transfers, keep your PayPal account active, verify your identity with PayPal (by confirming your email and phone number), and make transfers regularly rather than in one large lump sum.

when ready Transfers to a Debit Card (Faster Option)

If you need the money faster than one to three business days, PayPal offers when ready transfers to a debit card. Instead of sending money to your bank account, you send it to a debit card linked to your PayPal account. The money shows up within 30 minutes, but PayPal charges a fee — usually between 1 and 2 percent of the amount you're transferring, with a minimum fee of around 25 cents.

To use this option, you must have a debit card linked to PayPal. Go to the transfer screen, select "when ready Transfer to Debit Card" instead of "Transfer to Your Bank," choose your debit card, enter the amount, and confirm. The fee will be shown before you confirm, so you'll know exactly what it costs. The money lands on your debit card almost when ready, and you can use it right away.

This option makes sense if you need cash urgently and the fee is worth it to you. For regular transfers where you can wait a few days, the standard bank transfer is free and costs nothing.

What Happens if Your Bank Account Information Changes

If you close the bank account you've linked to PayPal, or if you switch banks, you need to update PayPal before you try to transfer money again. If you attempt a transfer to a closed account, PayPal will reject it and the money will go back to your PayPal balance. You'll see a notification that the transfer failed.

To update your bank account, go back to the Wallet or Banks and Cards section in your PayPal settings. You can remove the old account and link a new one. If you're switching banks but keeping the same account number with a new routing number (which sometimes happens), you may need to re-verify the new account with those small test deposits again.

If a transfer fails and the money returns to PayPal, you can try again with the correct account information. There's no penalty for a failed transfer — PayPal straightforward sends the money back to your balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it really take for money to show up in my bank account?

Standard transfers take one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday might not arrive until Tuesday. If PayPal puts the transfer on hold for review, add a few extra days. when ready transfers to a debit card arrive within 30 minutes.

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

No, PayPal transfers to a bank account only work with accounts linked to your own PayPal profile. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature, which lets you transfer to their PayPal account or email address. That person can then transfer the money to their own bank account if they want.

What if I don't have a bank account yet?

You need a bank account to transfer money out of PayPal to a traditional bank. If you don't have one, you can use the when ready transfer to a debit card option instead, which requires a debit card but not a full bank account. Alternatively, you can open a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union — most have no minimum balance requirement.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?

PayPal does not publish a single transfer limit that applies to everyone. Your limit depends on your account history, how long you've had the account, and how much you've transferred before. You can see your specific limit in the transfer screen — if you try to transfer more than your limit allows, PayPal will tell you. Limits usually increase over time as you use your account.

Do I pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank?

Transferring money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event by itself — you're just moving money you already have. However, the money you received in PayPal in the first place may be taxable depending on where it came from. If it was income from selling items or providing services, you may owe taxes on it. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.