To request payment on Zelle, open your banking app or the Zelle app, navigate to the Zelle section, choose the option to request money, enter the recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile number, type in the dollar amount, and send. The other person gets a notification and can approve the payment directly from their own banking app. The whole process takes under a minute.
Step-by-Step: Requesting Money
Most people access Zelle through their bank or credit union’s mobile app rather than the standalone Zelle app. Either way, the steps are similar:
- Open Zelle. Launch your banking app and find the Zelle section (often listed under transfers, payments, or “Send & Request”). If your bank doesn’t offer Zelle directly, download the Zelle app and link a debit card or bank account.
- Choose “Request.” You’ll see options to send or request money. Tap “Request.”
- Enter the person’s contact info. Type in their U.S. mobile number or email address. You can only send requests to people who are already enrolled in Zelle. If they haven’t signed up, the request won’t go through.
- Enter the amount and an optional memo. Add a short note like “dinner last Friday” or “rent for June” so the other person knows what the request is for.
- Review and send. Double-check the contact information and amount, then confirm.
Once you send the request, the other person receives a notification through their banking app or email. They can approve the payment with a tap, and the money typically arrives in your bank account within minutes.
Requesting Payment With a QR Code
Some banks support Zelle QR codes, which let you share your payment info without typing in a phone number or email. To find yours, open Zelle and look for a “My Code” tab. From there, you can display your personal QR code on screen, or use the share and print options to send it by text or email. The other person scans the code with their phone’s camera or their Zelle app, which pre-fills your information so they can pay you quickly.
This is especially handy for in-person situations like splitting a check at a restaurant or collecting money at an event. Keep in mind that the QR code feature is not available at every financial institution, so if you don’t see the option, your bank may not support it yet.
Fees and Limits
Zelle itself does not charge a fee for sending, receiving, or requesting money. Based on a late 2024 survey, over 99% of consumer checking and savings accounts linked to Zelle have no fees for these transactions.
Sending and receiving limits, however, are set by your individual bank or credit union, not by Zelle. These limits vary widely. Some banks cap daily sends at $500, while others allow $2,500 or more per day. Your bank may also set separate limits for how much you can receive. Check your banking app or contact your bank directly to see what your specific limits are.
Requesting Payments as a Small Business
If you run a small business, you can use Zelle to request money from customers. Enroll your business through your banking app using a business email address, U.S. mobile number, or Zelle tag. Once set up, you can send payment requests to any customer who is enrolled in Zelle at their own bank.
Zelle doesn’t include built-in invoicing tools. You’ll need to create and track invoices separately using your own accounting software or a simple spreadsheet. When a customer owes you, send them a Zelle request for the exact amount, and they can pay instantly from their bank account. It works well for collecting on smaller invoices or getting paid on the spot for services.
How to Cancel a Request
If you sent a request to the wrong person or for the wrong amount, you can cancel it as long as it’s still in a pending status (meaning the other person hasn’t paid yet). The exact navigation varies by bank, but the general process looks like this:
- Open the Zelle section in your banking app.
- Go to your activity or transaction history.
- Find the pending request under a “Requests” tab.
- Select the request and choose “Cancel Request,” then confirm.
Once the other person has already approved and sent the payment, you can’t reverse it through Zelle. Zelle payments are designed to be instant and final, similar to handing someone cash. If money was sent to the wrong person after they paid your request, you’d need to ask them to send it back or contact your bank for help.
What Happens on the Other Person’s End
When you request money, the recipient gets a push notification, email, or text letting them know. They open their banking app, review the request (including your name, the amount, and any memo you included), and choose whether to pay. They’re never automatically charged. Every payment requires their explicit approval.
If the person you’re requesting from isn’t enrolled in Zelle, they won’t receive the request at all. You’ll need to let them know to sign up through their bank’s app first. Most major banks and credit unions support Zelle, so enrollment usually takes just a few minutes with a linked checking account.