What a Cash App payment link is and how it works
A Cash App payment link is a shareable URL that lets someone send you money without needing your Cash App username or phone number. You create the link in your Cash App, set an amount (or leave it blank so the sender decides), and share it however you want — text, email, social media, or a website. When someone clicks the link, they land on a payment screen, enter their information if they're not already a Cash App user, and the money goes straight to your account.
The link itself doesn't contain sensitive information like your bank details or full name. Cash App handles the transaction on their servers, so you're not exposing account numbers or routing information. The sender can use any payment method linked to their Cash App — their bank account, debit card, or Cash App balance.
Payment links stay active until you delete them, so you can reuse the same link multiple times. This makes them useful for recurring situations: collecting money from a group, taking payments for a service you offer, or letting customers pay you without a formal business account.
Key Takeaways
- You create a payment link in the Cash App by tapping the "$" icon, selecting "Request," and choosing to create a link instead of requesting from a specific person.
- You can set a fixed amount or leave the amount blank so the person paying decides how much to send.
- The link works for anyone with a smartphone and internet access, whether or not they have a Cash App account already.
- Payment links remain active until you manually delete them, and you can share the same link with multiple people.
- Cash App charges no fee to you for receiving money via a payment link, but the sender may see a small fee depending on their payment method.
How to create a Cash App payment link
Open Cash App and tap the dollar sign ($) icon at the bottom of the screen. Select "Request" from the menu. Instead of choosing a specific contact, look for an option to create a link — this is usually labeled "Create a link" or "Share a link." Cash App will then ask whether you want to set a specific amount or leave it variable.
If you set a fixed amount, anyone who clicks the link will see that exact dollar figure and only need to confirm payment. If you leave it blank, the person paying will enter their own amount before completing the transaction. After you choose, Cash App generates the link and shows you options to copy it, text it, email it, or share it to social media.
Once the link is created, you can share it as many times as you want. Each person who clicks it will see the same payment screen. The link stays active indefinitely unless you go back into Cash App and delete it manually.
Where and how to share your payment link
You can paste a Cash App payment link anywhere a URL works: text messages, email, Instagram direct messages, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack, or your website. Some people add it to their email signature, post it in a group chat, or include it on a business card or invoice.
The link is just a string of characters — it doesn't look like a Cash App link to someone who doesn't know what they're looking at. This means you can share it in places where Cash App might not be the obvious payment method. For example, if you freelance and want to include a payment option on your website, a payment link is simpler than setting up a merchant account.
There's no limit to how many people you can send the link to, and each person can click it independently. The link doesn't expire, so you can share it today and someone can use it months later.
Security and privacy considerations
A Cash App payment link doesn't expose your personal information the way sharing your Cash App username or phone number might. The link itself is a unique URL that Cash App's servers recognize, but it doesn't contain your bank account number, routing number, or full legal name. The sender never sees those details.
However, anyone who has the link can send you money using it. If you share a link publicly — on social media or a website — strangers can click it and pay you. For most situations this is fine, but if you want to limit who can use the link, keep it private and share it only with people you intend to receive money from.
If you lose control of a link — for example, if you post it publicly and later want to stop accepting payments through it — you can delete the link in Cash App. Once deleted, anyone who tries to click it will see an error message. Deleting a link doesn't affect payments that already went through.
Fees and what the sender pays
Cash App charges you no fee for receiving money via a payment link. The money lands in your Cash App balance or linked bank account with no deduction. However, the person sending the money may see a fee depending on their payment method.
If the sender pays with their Cash App balance or a linked debit card, there's typically no fee. If they pay with a credit card, Cash App usually charges them a percentage (the exact rate varies and can change). The sender sees the fee before they confirm payment, so they know what they're paying.
This is different from some other payment platforms where the receiver absorbs the fee. With Cash App payment links, you keep the full amount and the sender decides whether the fee is worth it to them.
When payment links work well and when they don't
Payment links are most useful when you need a simple, shareable way to receive money without setting up a formal business account or payment processor. They work well for splitting rent or bills with roommates, collecting money for a group gift, taking payment for freelance work, or letting customers pay you for a service or product.
They're less practical if you need detailed records for tax purposes or accounting software. Cash App's record-keeping is basic compared to dedicated invoicing platforms. If you're running a business and need to track income, issue receipts, or integrate payments with accounting software, a business payment processor or invoicing tool may be a better fit.
Payment links also require the sender to have internet access and a smartphone. If someone needs to pay you by check, bank transfer, or in person, a payment link won't work. And if you're selling something that requires a formal receipt or warranty, a payment link alone doesn't provide the documentation structure that a real invoice does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone use my payment link if they don't have a Cash App account?
Yes. When someone clicks your link, Cash App will let them create an account or sign in if they already have one. They'll need to provide a phone number and verify it, but they can do that during the payment process. They don't need to have an account before they click the link.
What happens if I delete a payment link?
Once you delete a link, anyone who tries to click it will see an error message saying the link is no longer valid. Payments that already went through are not affected — they stay in your account. Deleting a link is the only way to stop accepting payments through that specific URL.
Can I change the amount on a payment link after I create it?
No. If you set a fixed amount when you created the link, that amount is locked in. If you want to change it, you'll need to delete the old link and create a new one with the new amount. If you created the link with a blank amount, the sender can enter any amount they want each time they use it.
Is there a limit to how much someone can send me through a payment link?
Cash App has transaction limits that apply to all transfers, including those made through payment links. The limits depend on your account history and verification status. You can check your limits in the Cash App settings. If someone tries to send more than the limit allows, the transaction will be declined.
Can I see who paid me through a payment link?
Yes. When money arrives in your Cash App account, you can see the transaction history and the name of the person who sent it. The link itself doesn't hide the sender's identity — Cash App records the transaction like any other payment.