How to withdraw buying power from Robinhood

Withdrawing buying power from Robinhood means moving cash out of your brokerage account and back to your bank. The process takes three to five business days because the money has to clear through the banking system. You start a withdrawal through the app or website, confirm your linked bank account, and enter the amount — Robinhood then sends it to that account automatically.

The key thing to know is that buying power is not the same as cash you have sitting in the account. Buying power includes both your actual cash and any margin (borrowed money) the platform lets you use. If you have margin, you can only withdraw the cash portion, not the borrowed amount. If you have unsettled trades — sales that haven't finished clearing — that money is also locked until settlement completes, usually two business days after you sell.

Key Takeaways

  • Withdrawals take three to five business days because money moves through the banking system, not instantly.
  • You can only withdraw cash you own, not margin or unsettled trade proceeds.
  • You start a withdrawal in the Account menu on the app or website and select your linked bank account.
  • If a withdrawal fails, check that your bank account is still active and that you have not hit any daily or monthly limits.
  • Robinhood does not charge a fee to withdraw, but your bank might charge a fee for receiving the transfer.

Steps to withdraw cash through the app

Open Robinhood and tap the Account icon at the bottom right. Scroll down and select "Transfers." Tap "Withdraw" and choose the bank account where you want the money to go — this should be an account you linked when you set up Robinhood. Enter the dollar amount you want to withdraw and confirm.

Robinhood will show you the estimated arrival date, usually three to five business days out. Tap "Review" and then "Confirm" to submit the withdrawal. You will get a confirmation screen and an email. The money leaves your Robinhood account immediately, but it does not land in your bank account until the transfer clears.

If you need to cancel the withdrawal before it settles, go back to the Transfers section and look for a "Cancel" button next to the pending withdrawal. Once the money reaches your bank, you cannot cancel it through Robinhood.

Steps to withdraw cash through the website

Log into your Robinhood account on a computer. Click the Account menu in the top right corner and select "Transfers." Click "Withdraw" and pick the linked bank account from the dropdown. Type in the amount and click "Review."

Robinhood will display the expected arrival date. Click "Confirm" to complete the withdrawal. You will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email receipt. The process is the same as the app — the money leaves Robinhood right away but takes three to five business days to show up in your bank.

Why a withdrawal might fail or be delayed

The most common reason a withdrawal fails is that your linked bank account is closed, inactive, or the account number has changed. Robinhood will send the money back to your account if the bank rejects it, and you will see a notification. Check with your bank to confirm the account is open and that the routing and account numbers are correct.

Some banks also have daily or monthly transfer limits. If you are trying to withdraw more than your bank allows in one transaction, the bank may reject it. Contact your bank to find out what your limits are, then split the withdrawal into smaller amounts if needed.

Robinhood also cannot process a withdrawal if you have unsettled funds. If you sold stocks or crypto recently, that money is not available to withdraw until the sale settles — usually two business days after you sell. The app will show you how much of your buying power is unsettled if you try to withdraw more than your available cash.

Understanding settled vs. unsettled cash

When you sell a stock or cryptocurrency on Robinhood, the sale is immediate, but the cash does not settle for two business days. During that time, the money is in your account but marked as unsettled. You can use unsettled cash to buy other investments, but you cannot withdraw it until settlement is complete.

If you try to withdraw and see a message that your buying power is too low, check the Account menu and look for "Buying Power Details" or a similar section. This will show you how much cash is settled and how much is waiting to clear. Wait for the settlement date to pass, then try the withdrawal again.

Robinhood also has a rule called the free riding rule. If you sell an investment and withdraw the proceeds before the sale settles, you may trigger a warning or temporary trading restriction. The rule exists to prevent a pattern of buying and selling without actually funding the account with real money. One violation usually does not cause a problem, but repeated violations can lead to account restrictions.

Withdrawal fees and limits

Robinhood does not charge a fee to withdraw money from your account. However, your bank may charge a fee for receiving an incoming wire transfer or ACH transfer, depending on your account type and the bank's policies. Check with your bank before you withdraw if you are concerned about fees.

There is no stated maximum withdrawal amount on Robinhood's side, but your bank may have daily or monthly limits on how much money can be transferred in. Most banks allow at least a few thousand dollars per day. If you need to withdraw a large amount, contact your bank first to confirm their limits and ask if you need to request a higher limit temporarily.

Robinhood also does not limit how often you can withdraw. You can submit multiple withdrawals in a row, but each one will take three to five business days to clear.

What to do if your withdrawal is stuck or missing

If your withdrawal has been pending for more than five business days, log into Robinhood and check the Transfers section. Look for the withdrawal and see if there is a status message or error code. If the status says "Failed," the bank rejected it — check your bank account to see if the money was returned to Robinhood.

If the withdrawal shows as "Pending" after five business days, contact your bank first. The delay is usually on the bank's end, not Robinhood's. Your bank can tell you if they received the transfer and why it has not posted to your account. If your bank says they never received it, then contact Robinhood support through the app or website.

Keep the confirmation number from your withdrawal receipt when you contact support. Robinhood will ask for it to look up the transaction and see where it got stuck in the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money if I have a margin balance?

No. If you owe Robinhood money through margin, you can only withdraw cash that exceeds your debt. For example, if you have $5,000 in cash but owe $2,000 in margin, you can withdraw up to $3,000. Robinhood will show your available withdrawal amount in the Transfers section.

How long does a withdrawal really take?

Robinhood says three to five business days, and that is the standard for ACH transfers between banks. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. If you withdraw on a Friday, the clock starts Monday. Some banks process faster and the money may arrive in two business days, but plan for five.

What if I withdraw and then want to buy stocks again?

You can deposit money back into Robinhood anytime through the Transfers section. Deposits also take three to five business days to settle, so plan ahead if you want to buy quickly. Once the deposit settles, you can use it to trade immediately.

Can I withdraw to a different bank account than the one I linked?

No. Robinhood only lets you withdraw to a bank account you have already linked to your profile. If you want to withdraw to a different account, you have to add that account first. Go to Account > Transfers and look for an option to add a new bank account. You will need to verify the new account before you can use it for withdrawals.

What happens if my bank account is closed after I start a withdrawal?

If your bank account closes before the withdrawal settles, the bank will reject the transfer and send the money back to Robinhood. You will see a failed withdrawal notification in the app. The cash will be back in your Robinhood account within a few business days, and you can try again with a different bank account.