You can add money to your PayPal balance through a linked bank account, a debit card, cash deposits at retail stores, or direct deposit from your employer. Each method has different speeds and costs, so the best option depends on how quickly you need the funds available.
Before you can hold a balance in PayPal, you need a PayPal Balance account (sometimes called PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus). To open one, PayPal requires your name, physical address, date of birth, and taxpayer identification number. You must be at least 18 and a U.S. resident. PayPal may verify your identity through a credit check, third-party databases, or by asking for a driver’s license or other document.
Transfer From Your Bank or Debit Card
This is the most common way to add funds. You can do it from the PayPal website or the mobile app, and the steps are nearly identical on both.
On PayPal.com:
- Go to your Wallet.
- Click Transfer Money.
- Choose “Add money from your bank or debit card.”
- Enter the amount.
- Choose either “In seconds with debit” or “in 3-5 days with your bank.”
On the PayPal app:
- Tap Add Money beside your balance.
- Select “From your bank or debit card.”
- Enter the amount.
- Choose either “In seconds with debit” or “in 3-5 days with your bank.”
A standard bank transfer takes up to five business days. If you need the money in your PayPal account right away, the debit card option delivers it in seconds. PayPal will show you which options are available when you start the transfer. In some cases, even a bank transfer may process instantly, though that isn’t guaranteed.
Add Cash at a Retail Store
If you prefer to add physical cash, PayPal lets you deposit money at participating retailers including Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, Kroger, and Circle K. Here’s how it works:
- Open the PayPal app and go to your balance.
- Tap Add Money and choose “Add cash at stores.”
- Pick a store near you.
- The app generates a barcode. Show it to the cashier at checkout.
- Hand over your cash.
The money typically appears in your PayPal balance within minutes. There is a fee of up to $3.95 per transaction, which the store collects at the register. This method is useful if you don’t have a bank account linked to PayPal or if you’re working with cash you want to move into your digital wallet quickly.
Set Up Direct Deposit
You can route your paycheck, government benefits, or tax refund straight into your PayPal balance. PayPal provides you with routing and account numbers that work like a standard bank account for incoming deposits. There is no fee to set up or maintain direct deposit.
To get started in the app:
- Go to your PayPal balance.
- Choose “Simpler Direct Deposit setup.”
- Select “Find your employer” and search for your employer, government agency, or payroll provider.
- If your payer isn’t listed, copy your direct deposit numbers and give them to your payroll department manually.
- Follow the prompts to confirm your identity and enter your information.
Once processed, your direct deposit will begin within two pay cycles. PayPal notifies you each time money arrives. Funds are generally available the same day PayPal receives them, and in some cases you can access your money up to two days before the scheduled payment date. That early access depends on when PayPal receives the payment instructions from your employer or agency. If you ever want to stop direct deposit, you’ll need to contact your employer directly since PayPal can’t cancel it on their end.
Which Method Is Fastest
If speed matters most, using a debit card gets money into your balance in seconds. Adding cash at a store also takes just minutes. Direct deposit is fast on an ongoing basis once it’s set up, but the initial setup takes one to two pay cycles before funds start flowing. A standard bank transfer is the slowest option at three to five business days, but it’s free and works fine when you’re not in a rush.
Fees to Keep in Mind
Linking a bank account and transferring money from it costs nothing. Direct deposit is also free. The main cost you’ll encounter is the cash reload fee at retail stores, which runs up to $3.95 per deposit. Debit card transfers may carry a small fee depending on PayPal’s current terms, so check the transfer screen before confirming. PayPal displays any applicable charges before you complete a transaction, so you won’t be surprised.
Once money is in your PayPal balance, you can use it to pay for purchases online, send money to friends and family, or transfer it back out to your bank account whenever you need it.