How to withdraw cash from Robinhood

To withdraw money from Robinhood, you transfer cash from your brokerage account to a linked bank account. The process takes place inside the app or website under the "Account" or "Transfers" section. You choose the amount, confirm the receiving bank account, and Robinhood sends the money — usually within one to three business days, though the receiving bank may take an additional day or two to show the deposit.

The speed depends partly on whether you use Instant or standard transfers. Instant transfers (available to Gold members or for a small fee) move money the same business day. Standard transfers are free but take longer. You cannot withdraw directly to a debit card or credit card — only to a bank account in your name.

Key Takeaways

  • Withdrawals go only to a bank account you have already linked to your Robinhood account, not to a card or external wallet.
  • Standard withdrawals are free but take one to three business days from Robinhood, plus one to two more days for your bank to process.
  • Instant transfers cost money (the fee varies) but move the same business day if you initiate before the market closes.
  • You cannot withdraw more than your available cash balance, which excludes money tied up in stocks or options positions.
  • If a withdrawal fails, check that your bank account details match exactly what your bank has on file and that you have not hit any daily or monthly limits.

Linking a bank account before you withdraw

Robinhood will not send money anywhere until you have added and verified a bank account. Go to Account settings, select "Transfers," and choose "Link a bank account." You will enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Robinhood will then send two small test deposits to that account — usually within one business day.

Once the deposits arrive, you go back into Robinhood and confirm the amounts of those two deposits. This step proves you own the account. Until you do this, the bank account stays unverified and you cannot withdraw to it. After verification, that account stays linked and you can use it for future withdrawals without repeating the process.

Standard transfers versus Instant transfers

A standard transfer is free. Robinhood sends your money to your bank within one to three business days. Your bank then processes it, which usually adds one to two more days. Total time is typically three to five business days. There is no fee, no limit on how often you transfer, and no membership required.

An Instant transfer costs a flat fee (the amount depends on your account type and current Robinhood pricing). The money leaves Robinhood the same business day if you request it before market close (4 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays). Your bank still needs time to process, so you may not see it in your account until the next day. Instant transfers are useful when you need the money quickly, but the fee makes them more expensive than waiting.

What counts as available cash to withdraw

Your available cash balance is the money sitting in your account that is not invested in stocks, options, or other positions. If you have $5,000 in your account and $3,000 is in a stock position, your available cash is $2,000 — that is the maximum you can withdraw. Robinhood shows this balance clearly in the Account section.

Unsettled cash — money from a recent sale that has not yet cleared — may or may not be available to withdraw depending on your account type and the type of sale. If you see a withdrawal limit lower than your total balance, unsettled cash is usually the reason. You can still withdraw settled cash while waiting for unsettled funds to clear.

Why a withdrawal might fail or be delayed

The most common reason a withdrawal fails is a mismatch between the bank account details in Robinhood and what your bank has on file. Your account number, routing number, or account type must match exactly. If your bank recently changed your account number or you entered it wrong during linking, the transfer will bounce.

Your bank may also reject the transfer if you have hit a daily or monthly withdrawal limit, if the account is flagged for fraud review, or if the account type in Robinhood (checking versus savings) does not match your actual account. Contact your bank to confirm the account details are correct, then try the withdrawal again. If it fails a second time, call Robinhood support — they can see the rejection reason from your bank.

Delays also happen when you request a withdrawal on a weekend or holiday. Robinhood processes transfers on business days only, so a Friday evening request may not leave until Monday. Similarly, if your bank is closed or experiencing technical issues, the deposit may take longer to appear on your end.

Withdrawing after selling stocks or options

When you sell a stock or close an options position, the proceeds do not become available to withdraw immediately. Stock sales settle in two business days — that is, the cash lands in your account two days after the sale. Options settle in one business day. Until settlement is complete, that cash is unsettled and may not be available for withdrawal, depending on your account type.

If you have a standard Robinhood account (not Gold), you may have a limit on how many times you can buy and sell within five business days. This is the pattern-day-trader rule, enforced by the SEC, not by Robinhood. It does not prevent you from withdrawing, but it does limit trading. Withdrawing cash does not reset this counter.

Withdrawing from a joint or custodial account

If your Robinhood account is held jointly with another person, both account holders must authorize withdrawals. The process is the same, but Robinhood may require additional verification if the withdrawal is unusually large or if it is the first withdrawal from that account.

If you have a custodial account (for a minor), the custodian controls withdrawals. The minor cannot request a withdrawal themselves. The custodian links the bank account, authorizes the transfer, and receives the money. Rules vary by state regarding when a custodial account can be transferred to the minor's control, so check your account documents or contact Robinhood if you are unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Robinhood withdrawal actually take?

Standard transfers leave Robinhood in one to three business days, then your bank processes them in one to two more days — so three to five business days total is typical. Instant transfers leave the same day but still need your bank to process, so you may see the money the next day. Weekends and holidays add extra time.

Can I withdraw money if I have unsettled cash?

You can withdraw settled cash even if you have unsettled cash waiting. Robinhood shows your available cash balance separately from unsettled funds. You can only withdraw up to the available amount. Once unsettled cash settles, it becomes available and you can withdraw it too.

What if Robinhood says my bank account is not verified?

Go back to Account settings and check that the routing number and account number match exactly what your bank has on file. If they do not match, update them and wait for the verification deposits again. If they match and verification still fails, contact your bank to confirm the account is active and not flagged for fraud.

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

Yes. You can link multiple bank accounts to Robinhood and withdraw to any of them, as long as they are all in your name and verified. You cannot withdraw to someone else's account or to a third-party service like PayPal.

Is there a maximum amount I can withdraw at once?

Robinhood does not publish a single-withdrawal limit, but your bank may have daily or monthly limits on incoming transfers. Check with your bank about their limits. If your withdrawal is very large, your bank may hold it for review before depositing it.