The basic steps to transfer PayPal funds to your bank account
You can move money from your PayPal account to a linked bank account in a few minutes. Log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and choose how much to transfer. PayPal will send the money to your bank within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
The process is free if you transfer to a U.S. bank account. You do not need to pay a fee to move your own money out. The only requirement is that your bank account is already connected to your PayPal account — if it is not, you will need to add it first, which involves giving PayPal your routing number and account number.
PayPal offers two transfer speeds: a standard transfer that takes one to three business days at no cost, and an when ready transfer that arrives within 30 minutes but charges a small fee (usually around 1% of the amount, with a minimum charge). Most people use the free standard option unless they need the money right away.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take one to three business days.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal before you can transfer money, which requires your routing number and account number.
- when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes but charge a fee of roughly 1% of the amount you send.
- You can transfer any amount from your PayPal balance, as long as you have that much money available in your account.
How to link your bank account to PayPal if you haven't already
If your bank account is not yet connected to PayPal, you need to add it before you can transfer money. Open PayPal, click the Settings icon (a gear), select Wallet, then click Link a Bank Account. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. Your account number is printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank's customer service line. PayPal will verify the account by making two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank account within a few business days.
Once the deposits arrive, PayPal will ask you to confirm the amounts. After you confirm, your bank account is linked and ready to use for transfers. This verification step protects both you and PayPal by proving you actually own the account.
The difference between standard and when ready transfers
A standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. PayPal processes it when ready, but your bank takes time to receive and post the money. This is the option most people choose because there is no fee and the wait is short.
An when ready transfer arrives within 30 minutes but costs money — typically around 1% of the amount you transfer, with a minimum fee (for example, 25 cents on a $25 transfer). when ready transfers are useful if you need cash urgently, such as to cover an unexpected bill or make a same-day purchase. Not all PayPal accounts have when ready transfer available; it depends on your account history and the bank you are transferring to.
You choose which type of transfer you want each time you send money. PayPal will show you the fee before you confirm, so you can decide whether the speed is worth the cost.
What happens if your transfer doesn't arrive
Standard transfers usually arrive within one to three business days. If more than three business days have passed and the money has not shown up in your bank account, check your PayPal transaction history first. Look for the transfer and see what status it shows — it may still be processing, or PayPal may have flagged it for review.
If PayPal shows the transfer as complete but your bank has not received it, contact your bank's customer service. Give them the date and amount of the transfer and ask them to search for it. Sometimes a transfer is delayed on the bank's end, or it may have been rejected if your account information was slightly wrong.
If PayPal shows the transfer as pending or failed, you can contact PayPal's Resolution Center to investigate. PayPal will ask for details about the transfer and may ask you to confirm your bank account information. In most cases, PayPal will either resend the money or refund it to your PayPal balance within a few business days.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal does not publish a single maximum transfer amount that applies to everyone. Your limit depends on your account age, transaction history, and whether PayPal has verified your identity. New accounts typically have lower limits, and limits increase as you use PayPal over time.
You can see your transfer limit by going to your Wallet and starting a transfer — PayPal will show you the maximum amount you can send. If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can either split the transfer into multiple transactions or contact PayPal to request a limit increase.
There is no daily or monthly fee for transfers themselves, but if you use when ready transfer multiple times, the fees add up. A standard transfer lets you move as much as your limit allows without paying anything.
Why a transfer might be declined or delayed
PayPal may decline or hold a transfer if your account has unusual activity, if the amount is much larger than your typical transfers, or if your bank account information does not match PayPal's records. PayPal uses fraud detection to protect your account, so sometimes a legitimate transfer gets flagged.
If your transfer is declined, PayPal will usually send you a message explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account, or a bank account that PayPal cannot verify. You can fix most of these issues by updating your information or confirming your identity with PayPal.
If your bank account was recently closed or you changed banks, make sure you have updated your bank information in PayPal. A transfer to a closed account will be rejected, and PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance.
Transferring money to accounts outside the United States
If your bank account is outside the U.S., PayPal's transfer options are more limited. Some countries allow standard transfers to local bank accounts, while others do not. PayPal's website shows which countries support bank transfers and what the process looks like for each one.
International transfers often take longer than U.S. transfers — sometimes five to ten business days — and may involve currency conversion fees if you are transferring to an account in a different currency. Check PayPal's fees page for your specific country to see what charges explore.
If your country does not support direct bank transfers, you may be able to use PayPal's debit card or withdraw cash at a partner location, depending on what PayPal offers in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for money to show up in my bank account?
Standard transfers usually arrive within one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank — some banks post transfers the same day they receive them, while others take an extra day. Weekends and bank holidays can add time, so a transfer initiated on Friday might not appear until Tuesday.
Can I cancel a transfer after I've started it?
If the transfer is still pending, you can cancel it from your PayPal transaction history. Once PayPal marks it as complete, the money is on its way to your bank and you cannot stop it. If you need to reverse a transfer that has already been sent, you will need to contact your bank or PayPal's Resolution Center.
Is there a fee to transfer money from PayPal to my bank account?
Standard transfers are free. when ready transfers charge a fee of roughly 1% of the amount, with a minimum charge. You choose which type of transfer you want each time, and PayPal shows the fee before you confirm.
What if the name on my PayPal account doesn't match my bank account?
PayPal requires the names to match for verification purposes. If they do not match, update your name in PayPal to match your bank account, or contact your bank to confirm the account is in the correct name. Once the names match, you should be able to transfer without problems.
Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?
No. You can only transfer money from your PayPal account to a bank account that is linked to your PayPal account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's send money feature, which lets you transfer directly to another PayPal user or to their email address.