You can pay a PayPal account in several ways: send money to someone using their email, phone number, or PayPal.Me link, add funds to your own PayPal balance from a bank or debit card, or make a payment on a PayPal Credit balance. The method you need depends on whether you’re paying another person, funding your own account, or paying off a bill.
Send Money to Someone’s PayPal
The most common reason to “pay a PayPal account” is to send money to another person or business. You can do this on the PayPal website or the mobile app using the recipient’s email address, phone number, PayPal username, or name.
On the website:
- Go to “Send and Request.”
- Enter the recipient’s name, email, phone number, or PayPal username, then click Next.
- Enter the amount, choose the currency, and add an optional note.
- Select your payment type: “For Goods and Services” or “For Friends and Family.”
- Choose your payment method (PayPal balance, bank account, or card) and click Send Payment Now.
On the app:
- Tap “Send/Request.”
- Enter the recipient’s info or select them from your contacts.
- Enter the amount, tap Next, select the payment type, and tap Send.
If someone gave you a PayPal.Me link (it looks like paypal.me/theirname), you can click it or paste it into your browser, hit Send, enter the amount, and complete the payment from there. This is often the fastest route when someone shares their link in a text or email.
Choosing the Right Payment Type
PayPal asks you to label each payment as either “For Goods and Services” or “For Friends and Family,” and the distinction matters. Goods and Services payments come with buyer protection if something goes wrong, but the seller pays a processing fee. Friends and Family payments skip the seller fee, but you give up that buyer protection. If you’re paying a friend back for dinner, choose Friends and Family. If you’re buying something from a seller, choose Goods and Services.
One thing to know: U.S. business accounts can only receive Goods and Services payments from other U.S. PayPal accounts, so the Friends and Family option won’t appear in that situation.
Fees for Sending Money
Domestic payments funded from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account are free when you choose Friends and Family. If you fund the payment with a credit or debit card instead, PayPal charges 2.90% plus a $0.30 fixed fee. So a $100 payment funded by card costs you about $3.20 in fees.
International personal payments carry a 5% fee regardless of your funding source, with a minimum of $0.99 and a maximum of $4.99 per transaction. On top of that, if the payment involves a currency conversion, PayPal adds a 4% conversion spread. Sending money abroad can get expensive quickly, so it’s worth checking the total before you confirm.
Add Money to Your Own PayPal Balance
If you want to load funds into your own PayPal account before making a purchase or sending a payment, you have three main options.
Bank transfer: On the website, go to your Wallet, click “Transfer Money,” then choose “Add money from your bank.” On the app, tap “Add Money” next to your balance and select your bank. This is free but takes up to five business days to arrive.
Debit card: Follow the same steps but select your debit card instead. The funds arrive in seconds and there’s no fee to add money this way.
Cash at a store: You can deposit cash at over 90,000 retail locations across the U.S., including CVS, Walmart, Dollar General, and Family Dollar. Open the PayPal app, tap “Add Cash,” select the store you’re in, and show the barcode to the cashier. If you have a PayPal Debit Card, you can skip the barcode and just swipe your card at the register. There’s a fee of up to $3.95 per cash reload.
Direct deposit: You can also route your paycheck directly into PayPal. In your account settings, go to Direct Deposit to find your assigned account and routing numbers, then give those to your employer. Your pay will land in your PayPal balance on payday just like a regular bank deposit.
Pay a PayPal Credit or Credit Card Balance
If you have a PayPal Credit digital line or a PayPal Credit Card (both issued through Synchrony Bank), paying your bill is separate from your regular PayPal balance. You have four ways to make a payment.
Online: Log into your PayPal account and click “PayPal Credit Card” or “PayPal Credit digital line.” From there you can make a one-time payment, schedule a future payment, or set up autopay so you never miss a due date.
In the app: Tap “PayPal Credit Card” or “PayPal Credit digital line” on your dashboard, then tap “Make a Payment.” Choose the amount, pick your payment method and date, and confirm.
By phone: Call Synchrony Bank directly. The number for the PayPal Credit Card is (844) 209-7457. For the PayPal Credit digital line, call (844) 373-4961.
By mail: Use the payment slip included with your billing statement. Write your account number on the check and mail it in the provided envelope.
Withdrawing Money From PayPal
Once money is in your PayPal balance, you may want to move it to your bank or card. Standard withdrawals to a bank account are free and typically take one to three business days. If you need the money faster, instant transfers cost 1.75% of the amount, capped at $25 per transaction.
Card withdrawals have tighter limits: $5,000 per transaction, $5,000 per day, and $15,000 per month. Standard card transfers are free, while instant transfers carry the same 1.75% fee with a minimum charge of $0.25.