You can withdraw cash from Robinhood to your linked bank account, but the process depends on what you own and whether you have unsettled trades
Robinhood lets you move money out in two ways: you can withdraw cash that's sitting in your account, or you can sell investments and then withdraw the proceeds. The catch is timing — if you've just bought stocks or options, you may have to wait for the trade to settle before that money becomes withdrawable. Unsettled trades typically take two business days to clear, and Robinhood won't let you move money that's tied up in pending transactions.
The withdrawal itself is straightforward once your cash is available: you initiate it through the app or website, choose your linked bank account, and the money usually arrives within one to three business days. But the rules around what you can withdraw and when are worth understanding before you need the money urgently.
Key Takeaways
- Cash sitting in your Robinhood account can be withdrawn to any linked bank account, but trades take two business days to settle before the cash becomes available.
- You must sell investments before you can withdraw the proceeds, and Robinhood will not let you withdraw money that's tied up in unsettled trades.
- Withdrawals typically take one to three business days to reach your bank, depending on your bank's processing speed.
- If you have a margin account with a negative balance or outstanding margin debt, Robinhood may restrict withdrawals until the debt is paid.
- Robinhood does not charge a withdrawal fee, but your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer.
How to withdraw cash that's already in your account
Open the Robinhood app or go to the website and tap or click the Account icon. From there, select "Transfers" and then "Withdraw." Robinhood will show you how much cash is available to withdraw — this is the money sitting in your account that isn't tied up in investments or unsettled trades.
Enter the amount you want to withdraw and confirm the linked bank account where you want it sent. Robinhood will process the request immediately, but the money won't appear in your bank account right away. Most banks receive the transfer within one to three business days, though some banks are slower. If you don't see the money after three business days, contact your bank's customer service — the delay is usually on their end, not Robinhood's.
You can withdraw as much as you want, down to zero, as long as it's cash and not invested. There's no withdrawal fee from Robinhood, though your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer — check your bank's fee schedule if you're concerned.
Selling investments before you can withdraw the proceeds
If your money is in stocks, ETFs, options, or crypto, you have to sell first. Open the position you want to sell, tap "Sell," enter the quantity or dollar amount, and confirm. The sale executes immediately during market hours, but the cash doesn't become withdrawable right away.
Stock and ETF sales settle in two business days — that's a rule set by the financial industry, not Robinhood. Options settle in one business day. Crypto settles instantly on Robinhood's platform. Until the settlement date passes, that cash is locked and you won't see it in your "Available to Withdraw" balance. Once settlement is complete, follow the withdrawal steps above to move the money to your bank.
If you're selling during market hours, the sale price is the current market price. If you sell after hours or on a weekend, your order will execute at the next market open, which could be at a different price. Plan ahead if you need the money on a specific date.
What happens if you have margin debt or a negative balance
If you have a margin account and you've borrowed money from Robinhood to buy investments, you can't withdraw until that debt is paid back. Robinhood will show your available withdrawal amount as reduced by the amount you owe. Pay down the margin debt first — you can do this by depositing cash or by selling investments and letting them settle.
If your account balance goes negative (meaning you owe Robinhood money), withdrawals are blocked entirely until the balance is positive again. This usually happens if you sold investments that haven't settled yet and then tried to withdraw, or if you had a trade that went against you on margin. Contact Robinhood's support if you're unsure why your account is negative.
Withdrawals during market closures and holidays
Robinhood processes withdrawal requests 24/7, but your bank only receives them during business days. If you request a withdrawal on a Friday evening, your bank won't receive it until Monday, and it may take another one to three business days to show up in your account. Plan for a full week if you're withdrawing on a Friday and need the money early the following week.
Stock market holidays (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day) also delay settlement of trades. If you sell stocks on the day before a holiday, settlement won't complete until two business days after the market reopens. This means your cash won't be withdrawable until then.
Linking a new bank account for withdrawals
You can only withdraw to a bank account that's linked to your Robinhood account and verified. To add a new account, go to Account > Transfers > Link a Bank Account, enter your bank's routing number and your account number, and confirm. Robinhood will send two small test deposits to verify the account — you'll need to confirm the amounts to prove you own the account.
This verification process usually takes one to two business days. Once verified, you can withdraw to that account immediately. You can link multiple accounts and choose which one to use each time you withdraw.
Transferring your entire account to another brokerage
If you want to move your investments to a different brokerage instead of selling everything, you can request an ACAT transfer (Automated Customer Account Transfer). The receiving brokerage handles most of the work — you just open an account there and request an incoming transfer. Robinhood will send your positions and any cash balance to the new brokerage, usually within five to seven business days.
During the transfer, your Robinhood account is frozen and you can't trade or withdraw. Once the transfer completes, your money and investments are at the new brokerage and you can withdraw from there. This route makes sense if you're moving to a different brokerage entirely, but if you just want cash, selling and withdrawing is faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for money to show up in my bank account after I request a withdrawal?
Robinhood processes the request immediately, but your bank receives it within one to three business days. Some banks are slower than others. If it's been more than three business days, contact your bank — the delay is usually on their end.
Can I withdraw money if I just bought stocks?
Not until the trade settles. Stocks take two business days to settle, so the cash from a sale won't be withdrawable until then. If you bought with cash you already had in your account, that cash is now invested and you have to sell the stocks first before you can withdraw.
Does Robinhood charge a fee to withdraw money?
No, Robinhood doesn't charge a withdrawal fee. Your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming transfer — check your bank's fee schedule or contact them directly.
What if my withdrawal request is rejected?
The most common reasons are: your bank account information is incorrect, the account isn't verified, you have unsettled trades, you have margin debt, or your account balance is negative. Check your available withdrawal balance in the app — if it's zero or negative, that's why the request failed. If the balance looks correct, verify your bank account details and try again.
Can I withdraw money on weekends or holidays?
You can request a withdrawal anytime, but your bank only processes transfers on business days. A withdrawal requested on Saturday won't reach your bank until Monday, and it may take another one to three days to appear in your account.