How to withdraw cash from Robinhood

To withdraw cash from Robinhood, you go to the Account menu, select "Transfers," then "Withdraw," and choose your linked bank account. Robinhood moves the money to that account within one to three business days. You can only withdraw cash that is fully settled — money from stock sales or deposits that have cleared — not money that is still pending or tied up in open positions.

The process is straightforward once you have a bank account linked to your Robinhood account. If you have not linked one yet, you will need to add it before you can move money out. Robinhood does not charge a fee for withdrawals, but your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer, depending on your account type.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only withdraw cash that has fully settled, which typically takes one to three business days after a stock sale or deposit clears.
  • Withdrawals go to a bank account you have already linked to your Robinhood account through the Transfers menu.
  • Robinhood does not charge withdrawal fees, but your bank may charge a fee for receiving the transfer.
  • Money in open stock or options positions cannot be withdrawn until you sell those positions and the sale settles.
  • Withdrawals initiated on weekends or holidays are processed on the next business day.

Check that your cash is settled before you withdraw

Robinhood shows you two different cash balances: settled cash and unsettled cash. Settled cash is money you can withdraw when ready. Unsettled cash is money that is still in the clearing process and cannot leave your account yet.

When you sell a stock, the sale settles after two business days. When you deposit money from your bank, it settles after one to three business days depending on your bank. Until that settlement date passes, Robinhood locks that money in your account. You can use unsettled cash to buy stocks, but you cannot withdraw it.

To see which cash is settled, open the Account menu and tap "Cash." The screen shows your settled cash balance at the top. Only that amount can be withdrawn. If you try to withdraw more than your settled balance, Robinhood will reject the request.

Link a bank account if you have not already

Robinhood can only send money to a bank account you have already connected to your account. If this is your first withdrawal, you will need to add your bank account first.

Go to Account, then "Transfers," then "Deposit." Select "Link a Bank Account" and follow the prompts to add your checking or savings account. Robinhood will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website to look them up. Robinhood may verify the account by sending two small test deposits — usually under one dollar — that you will need to confirm in your bank account.

Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can use it for both deposits and withdrawals. You do not need to link a new account for each withdrawal.

Start a withdrawal through the Transfers menu

Open the Account menu at the bottom of the Robinhood app and select "Transfers." Tap "Withdraw." You will see a list of any bank accounts you have linked. Select the account where you want the money to go.

Enter the amount you want to withdraw. Robinhood will show you your settled cash balance so you know the maximum you can move. Type the amount and tap "Review." Check that the amount and the receiving bank account are correct, then tap "Confirm" to submit the withdrawal.

Robinhood will send you a confirmation message. The withdrawal is now in progress. You do not need to do anything else — the money will arrive on its own schedule.

Understand the timeline for money to arrive

After you confirm a withdrawal, Robinhood sends the request to your bank. Your bank then processes the incoming transfer. This usually takes one to three business days from the date you submit the withdrawal.

Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. If you withdraw on a Friday afternoon, the clock starts on Monday. If you withdraw on a holiday, the clock starts the next business day. Some banks process transfers faster than others, so the exact timing depends partly on which bank you use.

You can check the status of a withdrawal by going to Account, then "Transfers," then "Withdraw History." This shows all your past and pending withdrawals and tells you whether each one is still processing or has completed.

What to do if a withdrawal fails or is rejected

A withdrawal can fail for a few reasons. The most common is that your bank account information is incorrect or out of date. If your bank rejected the transfer, Robinhood will show you an error message in the Transfers menu.

If the error says the account number or routing number is wrong, go back to Account, then "Transfers," then "Manage Bank Accounts," and update your bank details. You may need to remove the old account and add it again with the correct information. Once the account is corrected, you can submit the withdrawal again.

If the error is something else — such as your bank flagging the transfer as suspicious — contact your bank directly. Your bank may have blocked the transfer for security reasons and may need you to confirm it before it can go through. Robinhood cannot override a rejection from your bank.

Know the difference between withdrawals and transfers out of margin accounts

If you have a Robinhood Gold margin account, the withdrawal process is the same, but there are extra rules about what you can withdraw. In a margin account, you can borrow money from Robinhood to buy stocks. That borrowed money is not yours to withdraw — only your own cash is.

Robinhood calculates your buying power, which is the total amount you can use to trade. Your withdrawable cash is less than your buying power because some of it is borrowed. Before you withdraw, check your Account menu to see how much of your cash balance is actually yours. If you withdraw too much, you may trigger a margin call, which means Robinhood will force you to sell stocks to cover the borrowed amount.

If you are unsure whether you have a margin account, check the Account menu. It will say "Robinhood Gold" if you do. A standard Robinhood account does not use margin, so this does not explore to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money the same day I sell a stock?

No. Stock sales settle after two business days, so the cash from a sale cannot be withdrawn until two business days have passed. If you sell on a Monday, the sale settles on Wednesday, and you can withdraw the money on Wednesday or later. Weekend and holiday days do not count toward the two-day settlement period.

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

Robinhood does not set a limit on withdrawal amounts. You can withdraw as much settled cash as you have in your account. Your bank may have its own limits on incoming transfers, so check with your bank if you are moving a very large amount.

Why does Robinhood show I have cash I cannot withdraw?

That cash is unsettled. It is still in the clearing process from a recent sale or deposit. Once the settlement period ends — usually one to three business days — that cash will move to your settled balance and you can withdraw it. You can use unsettled cash to buy stocks, but not to withdraw.

What happens if I withdraw money while I have open stock positions?

You can withdraw settled cash even if you own stocks. The withdrawal only affects your cash balance, not your stock positions. Your stocks stay in your account. However, if you have a margin account and you withdraw too much, you may trigger a margin call and be forced to sell stocks.

Can I cancel a withdrawal after I submit it?

If the withdrawal is still pending — meaning it has not reached your bank yet — you may be able to cancel it through the Transfers menu. Once your bank has received the transfer, it is too late to cancel through Robinhood. You would need to contact your bank to reverse it, and your bank may charge a fee for that service.