How to move money out of Robinhood
To withdraw money from Robinhood, you link a bank account, request the transfer through the app or website, and wait for the funds to arrive — usually one to three business days. Robinhood does not charge a fee for withdrawals. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are moving cash you have not invested, selling investments first and then withdrawing the proceeds, or both.
You can only withdraw to a bank account you have already added to your Robinhood profile. Robinhood does not send checks, wire transfers, or transfers to other brokerage accounts. If you want to move your investments themselves (not just the cash) to another brokerage, that is a different process called an ACATS transfer or brokerage transfer, which Robinhood supports but which takes longer.
Key Takeaways
- Withdrawals go only to a bank account you have already linked in your Robinhood profile, and take one to three business days to arrive.
- You must sell any stocks, options, or crypto you want to convert to cash before you can withdraw — Robinhood does not transfer investments themselves to other accounts.
- Robinhood charges no withdrawal fee, but your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer.
- If you have unsettled trades (buys or sells still settling), you cannot withdraw that cash until the settlement period ends, usually two business days after the trade.
- To move your investments to another brokerage without selling, you initiate an ACATS transfer, which takes five to seven business days and may have fees at the receiving brokerage.
Linking a bank account before you withdraw
Robinhood requires you to add and verify a bank account before any withdrawal can leave your account. You do this once, and the account stays linked unless you remove it.
Open the Robinhood app or website, go to Account settings, select "Transfers", and choose "Link a bank account". Enter your bank's routing number and your account number (found on a check or in your bank's app). Robinhood will send two small deposits to that account, usually within one business day. You then return to Robinhood, confirm the amounts of those deposits, and the account is verified.
You can link multiple bank accounts. Withdrawals go to whichever account you select at the time you request the transfer. If you remove a linked bank account, you cannot withdraw to it, but you can link a different one.
Withdrawing unsettled cash versus settled cash
When you sell a stock or option on Robinhood, the sale settles two business days later. Until it settles, that cash is unsettled and you cannot withdraw it. Once the two business days pass, the cash becomes settled and you can move it out.
If you have a Robinhood Gold subscription (which gives you margin), you can use unsettled cash to buy new investments, but you still cannot withdraw it. Robinhood will show you how much cash is settled and how much is unsettled in your Account Balance section.
Crypto sales settle when ready, so you can withdraw crypto proceeds right away. Cash from dividend payments also settles when ready.
Steps to withdraw cash from Robinhood
Once you have a verified bank account linked and settled cash in your account, the withdrawal itself takes a few steps:
- Open Robinhood and go to Account.
- Tap or click "Transfers".
- Select "Withdraw" (not "Deposit").
- Choose the bank account you want the money to go to.
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw. You can withdraw any amount up to your settled cash balance.
- Review the details and confirm.
Robinhood will show you an estimated arrival date, usually one to three business days. The money lands in your bank account on that date or earlier. You do not need to do anything else — Robinhood processes the transfer automatically.
Selling investments before you can withdraw them
If your Robinhood account holds stocks, options, ETFs, or crypto that you want to convert to cash, you must sell them first. Robinhood does not let you withdraw the investments themselves — only cash.
To sell, open the position in the app, tap "Sell", enter the number of shares or contracts you want to sell, and confirm. The sale executes at market price (during market hours) or at the next market open (if you sell after hours). Two business days later, the proceeds settle and you can withdraw them.
If you sell at a loss, you may owe taxes on the loss depending on your situation. If you sell at a gain, you will owe capital gains tax. Robinhood sends you a tax document (Form 1099-B) at the end of the year showing all your sales.
Transferring investments to another brokerage instead of selling
If you want to move your stocks or crypto to another brokerage without selling them, you use an ACATS transfer (also called a brokerage transfer or account transfer). This preserves your cost basis and avoids triggering a taxable sale.
Contact the brokerage you want to move your investments to and ask them to initiate an ACATS transfer from Robinhood. They will handle most of the paperwork. Robinhood will ask you to confirm the transfer, and it usually takes five to seven business days. Some brokerages charge a fee (often $50 to $100) to receive the transfer; Robinhood does not charge to send it.
Not all investments can be transferred. Robinhood fractional shares, for example, may need to be sold because many brokerages do not accept them. Check with your receiving brokerage about what they accept before you start the transfer.
Why a withdrawal might be delayed or rejected
Robinhood may hold a withdrawal if your account has unsettled trades, if you recently linked a new bank account (which takes time to verify), or if Robinhood's system flags the transfer for review. Most holds last a few hours to a day.
A bank may reject an incoming transfer if the account number or routing number you provided is wrong, if the account is closed, or if the account is not in your name. If this happens, Robinhood will return the money to your Robinhood account, usually within five business days. You can then try again with the correct bank details.
If you have a negative balance in your Robinhood account (you owe money), you cannot withdraw until the balance is positive again. This can happen if you use margin and your investments drop in value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for money to arrive after I request a withdrawal?
Robinhood says one to three business days. Most withdrawals arrive within one business day. The timeline depends partly on your bank — some banks process incoming transfers faster than others. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days.
Can I withdraw money if I have pending trades?
You can withdraw settled cash even if you have pending trades. You cannot withdraw cash from trades that have not yet settled (usually two business days after you sell). Robinhood shows you settled and unsettled amounts separately in your account balance.
Does Robinhood charge a fee to withdraw?
Robinhood charges no withdrawal fee. Your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer, but that is between you and your bank, not Robinhood. Check your bank's fee schedule if you are unsure.
What if I want to move my stocks to another brokerage without selling them?
You initiate an ACATS transfer through the brokerage you want to move to. They contact Robinhood on your behalf, and the transfer usually takes five to seven business days. Your receiving brokerage may charge a fee. Fractional shares and some other investments may not transfer and may need to be sold instead.
Can I withdraw to a bank account that is not in my name?
No. Robinhood requires the bank account to be in your name. Withdrawing to an account in someone else's name violates both Robinhood's terms and most banks' rules. You can only withdraw to accounts you have already verified in your own name.