PayPal does not have one routing number that everyone should use. For a deposit or payment that relies on PayPal-assigned bank details, sign in and copy the current routing and account numbers displayed for your own account. The correct details depend on whether you are receiving a deposit, authorizing a merchant payment, or using a business account.
What is PayPal’s routing number?
There is no universal PayPal routing number to copy from a general webpage. PayPal assigns account details to eligible users, and those details can change. Use the numbers shown in your signed-in account for the transaction you are setting up—not a number found in an old message, payroll record, or article.
PayPal’s Direct Deposit setup guidance directs users to the Direct Deposit area to view their assigned account and routing numbers. See PayPal’s Direct Deposit setup instructions.
Which routing number should I use?
Choose the details based on what the money is doing. Direct Deposit is for receiving eligible payments into PayPal Balance. Direct Debit is a separate arrangement that lets an authorized merchant collect an ACH payment using the assigned details. Business-account numbers, when available, serve business or commercial transactions.
#1 Best Overall
| Use case | Direction and purpose | Where to get the details |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Deposit | Receive eligible payroll or other payments into PayPal Balance | Use the current numbers in your account’s Direct Deposit display |
| Direct Debit | Pay a merchant that you authorize to collect an ACH payment | Use the assigned details shown after signing in under Direct Deposit |
| Business-account payments | Receive or make business or commercial payments, if numbers have been assigned | Look for “View account and routing number” beside the available balance |
| Linking an external bank | Connect your own bank account to PayPal | Provide or verify the external bank’s details in PayPal’s bank-linking flow |
Where do I find my PayPal account and routing number?
For Direct Deposit, PayPal’s instructions describe these steps; exact app or website labels may vary:
- Sign in to PayPal and open Settings, then choose View your Direct Deposit info. In the app, start from your PayPal balance and select Direct Deposit.
- Find your employer or payer and follow the prompts, including any identity-confirmation steps.
- After enrollment, copy the account and routing numbers shown on the Direct Deposit screen and provide those exact details to the payer. If the payer is not listed, PayPal says you can copy the numbers and give them to the payer directly.
PayPal says this Direct Deposit flow is for PayPal Balance accounts, is not currently available to Business accounts, and requires a US-based payer. A payment originating outside the US will fail. Check PayPal’s eligibility and setup details before changing payroll or government-payment instructions.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Is my PayPal routing number the same as my bank’s?
Not necessarily. A PayPal-assigned routing number is not automatically the routing number for a bank account you linked to PayPal. When linking an external bank, provide that bank’s own information or use PayPal’s login-verification option. PayPal also describes manual entry followed by verification deposits. These are separate tasks: use the external bank’s details to link that bank, and use PayPal’s displayed details only for a transaction that specifically calls for your PayPal-assigned account numbers. See PayPal’s bank-linking instructions.
Direct Deposit and Direct Debit are not interchangeable
Direct Deposit: receiving money
Direct Deposit routes eligible payments into your PayPal Balance account. PayPal says funds are generally available the day they are applied, and they may arrive up to two days early or on the same day, depending on the funds. Early or same-day availability is not guaranteed; PayPal says funds are not received instantly. See PayPal’s Direct Deposit overview.
Rank #3
Direct Debit: paying a merchant
With Direct Debit, you authorize a third-party merchant on its website or app to collect an ACH payment using the assigned Bancorp routing and account number. PayPal’s US help page lists limits of $7,000 per transaction, $7,000 in total per day, and 10 transactions per day for Direct Debit; these are not Direct Deposit limits. Details appear after signing in under Direct Deposit. See PayPal’s Direct Debit explanation.
ACH is an electronic transfer between US bank accounts. PayPal says it uses ACH for payments funded from US bank accounts; its help article says an ACH payment can take up to two business days to complete and appear in the recipient’s PayPal account. That timing applies to the described ACH payment, not every PayPal transfer. See PayPal’s ACH explanation.
What if I have a PayPal Business account?
PayPal says Direct Deposit is not currently available for Business accounts. Separately, some business accounts may be assigned an account number and routing number for business or commercial payments. PayPal says these may be issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., and may not be assigned automatically; a user may be able to request them separately. If available, look beside the available balance for View account and routing number. Do not assume a personal Direct Deposit number or another business account’s details apply. See PayPal’s business-account number guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why did my PayPal routing number change?
PayPal issued a historical notice telling affected users to give their payer updated routing details. It said payments processed after February 17, 2025 using the old routing number would be rejected, while the account number did not change. That rejection date has passed. If an old number is saved with your employer or payment agency, check the current Direct Deposit display in your account and coordinate the update with the payer rather than reusing the old number. See PayPal’s routing-number change notice.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
Before you submit a payroll or payment change
- Confirm the form is asking for PayPal-assigned deposit details, not the details of an external bank linked to PayPal.
- Copy the routing and account numbers from the relevant signed-in PayPal screen at the time you submit the change.
- Check that the account type and payer meet PayPal’s Direct Deposit eligibility requirements.
- If you are updating existing instructions, ask the payer to confirm when the new details will take effect.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
