To make a PayPal payment, add a bank or card, tap Send/Pay, enter the recipient or invoice, review, and press Send.
New to PayPal or just need a quick refresher? This guide walks you through sending money to a person, paying a business, or settling an invoice. You’ll see the exact taps and clicks, fee basics, and smart safety checks, so your payment lands where you expect—fast and clean.
What You Need Before You Pay
First, sign up and confirm your email. Then link at least one funding source: a debit or credit card, a bank account, or a PayPal balance. Two-step verification adds another lock on your account. With those set, you’re ready to go.
Ways To Pay With PayPal (At A Glance)
The table below shows the most common payment routes plus quick notes on where they fit and typical fee behavior. Exact rates vary by country, currency, and funding choice.
| Method | Where It Fits | Fee Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Send To A Person (P2P) | Split bills, repay a friend | Fees depend on card use and cross-border |
| Pay An Invoice Or Money Request | Contractor, tutor, small business | Shown at checkout before you send |
| Pay A Business Checkout | Online stores and subscriptions | Included in the price you see |
| QR Code Payment | In-person at a café or booth | Usually the same as a standard checkout |
| PayPal Balance | Quick send if funds already sit in PayPal | Often the simplest; exchange rates still apply |
| Debit Or Credit Card | When you want card rewards or buyer perks | Card funding can add fees on P2P |
| Bank Account | Everyday transfers to people you know | Low friction; timing depends on rails |
How To Make A PayPal Payment: Step-By-Step
On The Website
- Log in at paypal.com, then open Send & Request.
- Enter the recipient by email, mobile number, or PayPal username. Double-check spelling; a tiny typo can route funds to the wrong account.
- Type the amount and pick the currency. Add a short note if it helps you track the purpose.
- Choose the payment type shown on the screen (goods/services or friends/family if available in your region and account type).
- Select funding source (PayPal balance, bank, or card). If you want card rewards, pick your card; if you want fewer add-on costs on P2P, pick bank or balance when available.
- Review fees and details. Check recipient, amount, currency, and any extra charges.
- Send. You’ll get a receipt in your email and in your activity feed.
On The Mobile App
- Open the app and tap Send or Pay.
- Search or pick a contact, or scan the seller’s QR code if you’re face-to-face.
- Enter the amount, choose payment type, and set the funding source.
- Check the summary and tap Send. The activity screen confirms it right away.
Making A PayPal Payment Online — Fees, Limits, And Tips
Most consumer purchases at online stores look seamless: you press the PayPal button, log in, confirm, and you’re done. When sending money to a person, pay attention to the funding source and currency. Card funding and cross-border transfers can add costs. Review the fee line on the confirmation screen and adjust the funding source if you want a different outcome.
How To Make A PayPal Payment On Mobile
Mobile steps mirror the web. The app makes it easy to switch funding source on the final screen, scan a QR code, or pay a money request with a single tap. If you’re on spotty data, wait for the green confirmation tick before you walk away.
Paying A Money Request Or Invoice
When a seller or contractor sends a PayPal invoice or request, you’ll get an email and a notification in your account. Open the invoice, review the line items, due date, and any notes. If it looks wrong, contact the sender before you pay. You can often pay an invoice by card even without logging in, straight from the invoice page. Never call phone numbers pasted into invoice notes; use the merchant’s official site or your PayPal message center.
Business Checkout With PayPal
At checkout, pick the PayPal button. Log in, confirm shipping details if physical goods are involved, and select your funding source. You’ll see the total, currency, and any taxes or shipping before you approve the charge.
Set Up Your Funding Source Fast
Link A Bank
In Wallet (web) or Accounts (app), add your bank. Some banks link instantly. Others use two small trial deposits to confirm ownership. You can keep several banks on file and switch them during checkout when needed.
Link A Card
Add a debit or credit card the same way. If a $1 authorization fails during setup, your card issuer may have blocked it. A quick call to the issuer usually clears that block so you can add the card and keep going.
When Buyer Protection Applies
Paying a merchant for goods or services can qualify for purchase protection on eligible items. If an item never arrives or is not as described, you can open a dispute within the time window shown in your account. Keep your messages and receipts in one place; they help settle the claim. Note that sending money to friends and family doesn’t carry the same protection level, so use the right payment type for each case.
Fees You May See (And How To Keep Them Low)
Fees vary by country, funding source, and currency conversion. A few simple habits can help:
- Check the funding source before you send. Bank or balance can be cheaper for P2P in many regions.
- Send in the recipient’s currency when possible to avoid double conversions.
- Review the fee line on the confirmation screen. If it looks higher than expected, try switching funding or currency.
If you shop at a store checkout, any seller fees are baked into the price you see, and you’ll still get your receipt by email.
Security And Good Habits
Short, steady checks go a long way. Turn on two-step verification, create a strong password, and keep your contact info current. Send money only to people you trust. If you spot a payment request that looks odd, cancel or decline it and report it inside your account. When paying a business, read the item description and delivery window closely.
Step-By-Step: Fix Common Payment Issues
Most hiccups boil down to a mismatched detail, an issuer block, or an account limit. Use the chart below to pinpoint the cause and move ahead.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Card Won’t Add | Issuer declined $1 auth or you hit the card limit | Call the issuer, then add again; remove old cards if needed |
| Payment Declined | Issuer flag, wrong CVV, or account lock | Re-enter details, pick another funding source, or contact your bank |
| Wrong Recipient | Email typo or similar username | Cancel if pending; else contact support and the recipient fast |
| Currency Surprise | Auto conversion on send | Pick the target currency before confirming |
| Invoice Looks Suspicious | Random request with a phone number in notes | Do not pay; report it from the invoice page |
| App Stuck On Loading | Weak signal or outdated app build | Move to better data/Wi-Fi or update the app |
| Refund Missing | Processing window at the payment rail | Check activity and issuer timeline; funds often land in a few days |
Checklist: Send Money With Confidence
- Double-check the recipient’s email or phone.
- Pick the right payment type for the situation.
- Confirm currency, amount, and funding source.
- Scan the fee line and switch funding if needed.
- Save the receipt in your activity feed and inbox.
When To Use Friends And Family Vs Goods And Services
Use friends and family when there’s no buyer-seller relationship—splitting rent, paying a roommate, or chipping in for a gift. Use goods and services when you’re paying a seller. That sets the right expectations, adds coverage for eligible purchases, and helps the seller track orders and taxes.
How Exchange Rates Work
When sending across currencies, you’ll see a live rate before you confirm. If your recipient prefers a different currency, send in that currency to avoid a second conversion on their side. If the rate looks off, back up and check if a different funding source offers a better outcome.
How Refunds And Disputes Flow
If a merchant cancels an order or issues a refund, the status appears in your activity and lands back on your card, bank, or balance. Timeframes range from instant to a few days depending on the rail. If the item never arrives or doesn’t match the description, open a dispute in the Resolution Center within the window shown in your account. Keep all order messages and tracking links handy until everything is settled.
Two Smart Links To Bookmark
For fee details and coverage terms, these two pages answer most questions in seconds. They open in a new tab so you can keep this guide open:
Final Walkthrough: A Clean Payment In Under A Minute
- Open PayPal on web or mobile.
- Tap Send or open the invoice from your inbox.
- Pick the recipient or scan a QR code.
- Enter the amount and set the right payment type.
- Pick balance, bank, or card.
- Scan fees and currency one last time.
- Press Send and save the receipt.
That’s it. With a verified account, a tidy contact list, and two-step turned on, you can make a PayPal payment in a handful of taps—whether you’re settling a bill, paying a contractor, or checking out at a store without sharing card details.