How to Withdraw Money From Your Robinhood Account
The basic steps to move money out of Robinhood
To withdraw money from Robinhood, you log into your account, go to the Account menu, select "Transfers," and choose "Withdraw." You then pick a linked bank account and enter the amount you want to move. Robinhood sends the money to that bank account, and it typically arrives within one to three business days, though the exact timing depends on your bank.
You can only withdraw to a bank account you have already linked to your Robinhood account. If you have not linked a bank yet, you will need to add one first through the same Account menu before you can start a withdrawal.
The money you withdraw comes from your cash balance — the dollars sitting in your account that are not invested in stocks, options, or other securities. If you want to withdraw money that is currently invested, you must sell those holdings first, wait for the sale to settle (usually one to two business days), and then withdraw the cash.
Key Takeaways
- Withdrawals go only to a bank account you have already linked to Robinhood, and the process takes one to three business days.
- You can withdraw only cash that is not invested; if your money is in stocks or options, you must sell first and wait for settlement.
- Robinhood does not charge a withdrawal fee, but your bank may charge a fee for receiving the transfer.
- Partial withdrawals are allowed — you do not have to move your entire balance at once.
- If you have a margin account with a negative balance, you cannot withdraw until you pay back what you owe.
Linking a bank account before your first withdrawal
The first time you withdraw, you need a bank account connected to Robinhood. To add one, open the app or website, tap or click your account icon, select "Account," then "Transfers," and look for "Link a Bank Account" or a similar option. You will enter your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
Robinhood will verify the account by sending two small deposits (usually under one dollar each) to your bank. Your bank will show these deposits in your account within a few business days. You then return to Robinhood and confirm the amounts of those two deposits to prove you own the account. After verification, the account is linked and ready for withdrawals.
Some banks verify instantly through a secure connection instead of sending test deposits. If your bank supports this method, the linking process can finish in minutes rather than days.
What happens when you sell investments before withdrawing
If your money is in stocks, ETFs, options, or other holdings, you cannot withdraw it directly. You must sell the position first. When you sell, the cash from that sale enters your cash balance, but it is not immediately available for withdrawal — it must settle.
For stocks and ETFs, settlement takes two business days after the sale. For options, settlement also takes two business days. During this settlement period, the cash shows in your account but is marked as unsettled. Once the settlement period ends, the cash moves to your available balance and you can withdraw it.
If you try to withdraw before settlement is complete, Robinhood will show you only the amount that is available. You can withdraw the settled portion and wait to withdraw the unsettled portion after the settlement period ends, or you can wait until everything settles and withdraw the full amount at once.
Withdrawal limits and timing
Robinhood does not set a maximum amount you can withdraw in a single transaction or per day. You can withdraw your entire cash balance in one transfer if you choose, or you can make multiple smaller withdrawals. The only limit is the amount of cash you have available in your account.
The time it takes for money to arrive at your bank depends on your bank, not Robinhood. Robinhood typically sends the withdrawal within one business day, but your bank may take an additional one to two business days to process it. Some banks show the deposit within hours; others take the full two to three days. If you do not see the money after three business days, contact your bank to confirm they received it.
Withdrawals submitted on weekends or after market hours are usually processed the next business day. Withdrawals submitted on a holiday may not process until the next business day after the holiday.
Fees and costs associated with withdrawals
Robinhood does not charge a fee to withdraw money from your account. The withdrawal itself is free.
Your bank, however, may charge a fee for receiving an external transfer. This is not Robinhood's fee — it is your bank's policy. Check your bank's fee schedule or contact them directly to find out whether they charge for incoming transfers. Most banks do not, but some do, particularly if you have a basic or limited account type.
If you are withdrawing money from a margin account and you owe money to Robinhood (a negative balance), you cannot withdraw until you pay back the amount owed. This is not a fee; it is a requirement to settle your debt before moving money out.
Withdrawing from a margin account with a negative balance
A margin account lets you borrow money from Robinhood to buy investments. If you owe money to Robinhood (your account balance is negative), you cannot withdraw until you pay back what you owe. Robinhood will block the withdrawal and show you the amount you need to deposit to bring your account to zero or positive.
To pay back the debt, you can deposit money into your account through the same "Transfers" menu where you withdraw. Once your balance is zero or positive, you can withdraw. If you do not pay back the debt, Robinhood may liquidate (sell) your holdings to cover the amount owed, and you will lose control over which investments are sold.
If you have a cash account instead of a margin account, this does not apply to you — you cannot borrow from Robinhood, so there is no debt to settle before withdrawing.
Troubleshooting common withdrawal problems
If your withdrawal is stuck or not going through, the most common reasons are: the bank account is not fully verified, you are trying to withdraw unsettled cash, your account has a negative balance, or there is a temporary issue with Robinhood's system or your bank.
If verification is the problem, Robinhood will tell you the account is not verified and ask you to complete the verification steps (confirming the test deposit amounts or using instant verification). If the problem is unsettled cash, wait for the settlement period to end and try again. If you have a negative balance, deposit money to cover it first.
If none of these apply and the withdrawal still will not go through, check Robinhood's status page to see if there is a known outage. If there is no outage, contact Robinhood support through the app or website. They can see what is blocking your withdrawal and help you resolve it. Be ready to provide the amount you tried to withdraw and the date you attempted it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to withdraw money from Robinhood?
Robinhood typically sends the withdrawal within one business day. Your bank then takes one to three additional business days to deposit it into your account. The total time is usually one to three business days, but can be up to five if your bank is slow or if the withdrawal is submitted on a weekend or holiday.
Can I withdraw money if I have unsettled cash?
You can withdraw only the settled portion of your cash. If you have $500 settled and $300 unsettled, you can withdraw up to $500. The unsettled $300 becomes available to withdraw after the two-business-day settlement period ends.
What if my bank account is no longer active?
If the bank account you linked is closed or no longer active, Robinhood will reject the withdrawal and tell you the transfer failed. You will need to link a different, active bank account and try the withdrawal again. Remove the old account from your linked accounts to avoid confusion.
Can I withdraw to a bank account in someone else's name?
No. Robinhood requires that the bank account you withdraw to be in your name. Withdrawing to an account belonging to another person is not permitted and may result in the transfer being rejected or your account being restricted.
What happens if I withdraw all my money — do I lose my account?
No. Withdrawing your entire cash balance does not close your account. Your Robinhood account remains open and active. You can deposit money back into it at any time and continue trading. Your account history, watchlists, and settings stay in place.