Sending a PayPal payment is one of the most straightforward ways to move money online, whether you are covering your share of a dinner, paying a freelancer, or buying goods from a small business. The platform is designed to act as a secure middleman between your bank, your credit card, and the recipient, so you do not have to share sensitive banking details every time you pay someone. To get started, you need a PayPal account, which is free to create, and either a funding source like a bank account or a credit card linked to that account.
Log In to Your PayPal Account
Before you can send money, you have to be signed in to your PayPal account on the official website or through the mobile app. If you do not yet have an account, the registration process is simple and only requires a valid email address and a secure password. Once you are logged in, take a moment to verify that your account is confirmed and not limited, because restrictions can block your ability to send payments until you complete identity verification.
Choose Your Payment Method
PayPal gives you flexibility in how you fund a payment, and each option has different implications for fees and speed. You can use your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a credit or debit card. If you are sending a payment for goods or services, using a credit card can offer extra consumer protection, while a bank account transfer is often better for larger amounts because it usually costs less or nothing at all.
Understanding Fees and Transfer Speeds
PayPal’s fee structure depends on where the money is coming from and where it is going. Domestic payments funded by a bank account or PayPal balance typically move instantly at no extra cost, while instant transfers to a debit card may carry a small fee. International payments and currency conversions usually involve a fee and a slightly longer processing time, so it pays to check the details before you confirm the transaction.
PayPal Balance Instant to most recipients No fee for payments
PayPal Balance
Instant to most recipients
No fee for payments
Bank Account (ACH) 1 to 3 business days No fee for most payments
Bank Account (ACH)
1 to 3 business days
No fee for most payments
Debit Card Instant No fee
Debit Card
Instant
No fee
Credit Card Instant Processing fee applies
Credit Card
Instant
Processing fee applies
Start the Payment Process
To send money, locate the “Send & Request” button on the PayPal homepage or in the app dashboard. You will be prompted to enter the email address or mobile number associated with the recipient’s PayPal account. If you are paying for a purchase on a merchant website, you will instead choose PayPal at checkout and complete the payment on their secure page. Always double-check the email address or username, because sending money to the wrong person can be difficult to reverse.
Enter the Payment Details
Once you have the recipient’s information, you will specify the amount and choose whether this is a payment for goods and services or a personal payment between friends and family. For goods and services, buyers have more protection, while personal payments are usually faster and do not include purchase protection. You can also add a note or memo to remind the recipient what the payment is for, which is helpful for bookkeeping on both sides.
