The Basic Steps to Withdraw Cash

To withdraw money from Robinhood, you go to the Account menu, select "Transfers", choose "Withdraw", and enter the amount you want to move to your linked bank account. Robinhood then sends the money to whichever bank account you registered when you set up your account. The transfer typically takes one to three business days, though it can take longer depending on your bank.

You can only withdraw cash that is fully settled in your account. If you just sold a stock or received a deposit, that money may not be available to withdraw right away — Robinhood holds it for the standard settlement period, which is two business days after the sale or deposit. Trying to withdraw unsettled cash will either be rejected or will trigger a margin call if you have a margin account.

The withdrawal itself is free. Robinhood does not charge you to move money out. Your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer, but that is rare for standard transfers.

Key Takeaways

  • Withdrawals go through the Account menu under Transfers, and the money reaches your bank account in one to three business days.
  • You can only withdraw cash that has fully settled, which takes two business days after you sell a stock or deposit funds.
  • Robinhood does not charge a withdrawal fee, but you should confirm your linked bank account is correct before you submit.
  • If you have a margin account and try to withdraw more than your available cash, Robinhood will reject the request or trigger a margin call.

Checking Your Available Cash Before You Withdraw

Your Robinhood account shows two different cash amounts: your total cash and your available cash. Available cash is what you can actually withdraw right now. Total cash includes money that is still settling or that is tied up in margin requirements.

To see your available cash, open the Account tab and look at the "Cash" section. This number is what Robinhood will let you withdraw. If you have pending deposits or recent sales, your available cash will be lower than your total cash until those transactions settle.

If you try to withdraw more than your available cash shows, the withdrawal will fail. Some brokers let you override this, but Robinhood enforces the limit strictly to protect against overdrafts and margin violations.

How Long Withdrawals Actually Take

Robinhood processes your withdrawal request when ready when you submit it, but the money does not land in your bank account the same day. The standard timeline is one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a withdrawal submitted on Friday afternoon may not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday.

Some banks are faster than others. Large national banks like Chase or Bank of America often receive transfers within one business day. Smaller regional banks or credit unions may take the full three days. If your bank uses a slower processing system, you may see delays even after Robinhood sends the money.

If your withdrawal has not arrived after five business days, contact Robinhood support with your withdrawal confirmation number. They can check whether the transfer was sent and, if it was, help you contact your bank to track it down.

Linking a Different Bank Account for Withdrawals

Robinhood only lets you withdraw to a bank account that you have already linked and verified. You cannot add a new bank account and withdraw to it on the same day. When you link a new account, Robinhood sends two small test deposits to verify that the account is yours and that you have access to it. You then have to confirm the amounts of those deposits in the Robinhood app.

This verification process takes one to two business days. After you confirm the test deposits, the new account is active and you can withdraw to it. If you need to withdraw urgently and your current linked account is not available, you may have to wait for the new account to verify.

To link a new account, go to Account, select "Transfers", and choose "Link a Bank Account". You will enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Have your blank check or bank statement handy — both show these numbers clearly.

What Happens If Your Withdrawal Fails

A withdrawal can fail for several reasons: your bank account information is incorrect, your bank rejected the transfer, you tried to withdraw unsettled cash, or you do not have enough available cash. Robinhood will show you an error message that usually explains which one happened.

If the error says your account information is wrong, double-check the routing number and account number you entered. A single digit off will cause the transfer to bounce. If the error says you do not have enough available cash, wait for your pending transactions to settle and try again.

If your bank rejected the transfer, contact your bank directly. They may have flagged the transfer as suspicious, or your account may have restrictions on incoming transfers. Your bank can tell you why and help you fix it. Once you resolve the issue with your bank, you can resubmit the withdrawal in Robinhood.

Withdrawals From a Margin Account

If you have a Robinhood Gold margin account, your available cash is reduced by the amount of margin you are using. Margin is borrowed money that Robinhood lends you to buy stocks. If you have $5,000 in your account but you are using $2,000 in margin to buy stocks, your available cash to withdraw is only $3,000.

If you try to withdraw more than your available cash, Robinhood will reject the withdrawal and may issue a margin call, which means you have to deposit more cash or sell stocks to bring your account back into compliance. To avoid this, always check your available cash before you submit a withdrawal, and remember that available cash on a margin account is lower than your total cash.

If you want to withdraw a large amount and you have an active margin position, consider closing some of your positions first. Selling stocks frees up cash and reduces your margin requirement at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money on weekends or holidays?

You can submit a withdrawal request any time, but Robinhood and your bank only process transfers on business days. A withdrawal submitted on Saturday will be processed on Monday, and a withdrawal submitted on a holiday will be processed the next business day. The one to three day timeline starts from the first business day after you submit.

What if I withdraw money and then want to buy stocks with it?

Once you submit a withdrawal, the money is on its way to your bank and you cannot cancel it or use it to buy stocks. If you change your mind, wait for the money to arrive in your bank account, then transfer it back to Robinhood. This takes additional time, so plan ahead if you think you might need the cash for trading.

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

Robinhood does not set a maximum withdrawal amount. You can withdraw as much as you have in available cash. Your bank may have its own daily or monthly limits on incoming transfers, so check with them if you are moving a very large amount.

Do I pay taxes on money I withdraw?

Withdrawing cash itself does not trigger a tax event. You only owe taxes on gains when you sell stocks or receive dividends. Withdrawing your own money or your gains after you have already paid taxes on them is not taxable again. Keep records of your sales and dividends for tax reporting.