The fastest way to send money through PayPal
You can send a PayPal payment link in three ways: through the PayPal app or website by entering someone's email address, through a direct link you copy and share, or by using PayPal.me — a custom URL that lets anyone pay you without you asking. The method you choose depends on whether you know the person's email, whether they already have PayPal, and whether you want to request money or let someone pay you on their own terms.
The most common route is sending money directly through PayPal to someone's email address. This works whether they have a PayPal account or not — if they don't, PayPal sends them a link to claim the money, and they can set up an account or receive it as a transfer to their bank. The whole process takes less than a minute from your phone or computer.
Key Takeaways
- You can send a PayPal link by entering someone's email address in the app or website, and PayPal generates a payment link automatically.
- If the recipient doesn't have PayPal, they receive an email with a link to claim the money and can set up an account or transfer it to their bank.
- PayPal.me creates a permanent custom link you can share once, and anyone can use it to pay you without you sending them anything first.
- Payment links expire after a set time if unclaimed, and you can cancel a link before someone accepts it.
Sending a payment link through the PayPal app
Open the PayPal app and tap the send button (usually at the bottom of the screen). Enter the recipient's email address in the "To" field. Type the amount you want to send and add a note if you want — for example, "dinner last night" or "half the utilities." Tap "Send" and PayPal creates a link and sends it to that email address.
The recipient gets an email with a button or link to accept the payment. If they have a PayPal account, they click the link and the money lands in their account when ready. If they don't have PayPal, they can click the link to create an account, or they can choose to have the money sent to their bank account instead. You can see the status of the payment in your PayPal transaction history — it shows as pending until they accept it.
Sending a payment link from the PayPal website
Log into PayPal.com on your computer. Click "Send & Request" at the top of the page, then select "Send Money." Enter the recipient's email address, the amount, and an optional note. Click "Next" and review the details, then click "Send Now."
PayPal displays a confirmation screen showing the payment has been sent. The recipient receives an email with a link to claim the money. You can forward this confirmation email to them as well if you want to give them a heads-up, though PayPal's email usually arrives within minutes. If the recipient doesn't claim the money within 30 days, the payment is automatically cancelled and the money returns to your account.
Creating and sharing a PayPal.me link
PayPal.me is different from sending a direct payment link — it's a permanent custom URL that you create once and can share with anyone, anytime. Go to PayPal.com, click your profile icon, select "Settings," then find "PayPal.me." Choose a username (like paypal.me/jamesrodriguez) and click "Create Link." PayPal shows you your custom URL.
You can share this link in a text message, email, social media, or anywhere else. When someone clicks it, they see a page where they can enter an amount and send you money. They don't need to know your email address, and you don't need to send them anything first. This is useful if you want to let friends split a bill, pay you back for something, or tip you without you having to ask each person individually.
Your PayPal.me link is public, so anyone with the URL can see it and potentially send you money. You can deactivate it anytime from your settings if you don't want to use it anymore. The money still goes into your PayPal account the same way as any other payment.
What happens when someone receives your payment link
When you send a payment link to someone's email, they receive a message from PayPal with a button or link to accept the payment. If they click it and have a PayPal account, the money transfers to their account right away. If they don't have an account, they can create one using the link, or they can skip PayPal and have the money sent directly to their bank account instead.
The recipient can also decline the payment if they want. If they don't respond within 30 days, PayPal automatically cancels the payment and returns the money to you. You can also cancel a payment link manually before the recipient accepts it — go to your transaction history, find the pending payment, and select "Cancel."
Fees and limits for PayPal payment links
PayPal doesn't charge you a fee to send money to someone's email address if you're sending to a friend or family member in the same country. If you're sending money internationally or if the recipient is a business, fees explore — usually 2.99% plus a fixed amount that varies by country. You can see the exact fee before you confirm the payment.
PayPal has daily and monthly sending limits that depend on your account age and history. New accounts typically have lower limits, which increase as you use PayPal over time. If you hit your limit, you can request a higher one through your account settings, though PayPal may ask for additional information like a photo ID.
Troubleshooting payment links that don't work
If someone says they didn't receive your payment link, check that you entered their email address correctly. Ask them to check their spam or promotions folder — PayPal emails sometimes land there. If the email still isn't there, you can resend the payment from your transaction history by clicking the payment and selecting "Resend."
If the recipient clicks the link and gets an error, they may need to update their PayPal app or clear their browser cache. If they're trying to claim money without a PayPal account, they need to provide their bank account information to receive the transfer — PayPal won't let them claim the money without a way to receive it. If the problem persists, they can contact PayPal support directly, or you can cancel the payment and try sending it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a PayPal link without knowing someone's email address?
Not directly — you need an email address to send a payment link to a specific person. However, you can create a PayPal.me link and share it publicly, and anyone can use it to pay you without you sending them anything first.
What if someone doesn't have a PayPal account?
They can still receive your payment. When they click the link, PayPal lets them create an account, or they can skip that step and provide their bank account information to receive the money as a direct transfer instead.
How long does it take for someone to receive money from a payment link?
If they have a PayPal account, the money appears in their account when ready when they accept the link. If they're transferring to a bank account, it usually takes one to three business days depending on their bank.
Can I cancel a payment link after I send it?
Yes, as long as the recipient hasn't accepted it yet. Go to your transaction history, find the pending payment, and select "Cancel." The money will return to your account.
Is it safe to share a PayPal.me link?
Yes — sharing a PayPal.me link only lets people send you money, not access your account or see your personal information. You control how much they can send and can deactivate the link anytime.