Zelle makes sending money as easy as sending a text. Whether you’re splitting dinner, paying the babysitter, or covering rent, Zelle lets you send and receive money fast—usually within minutes—and right from your bank’s mobile app.
There’s no need to download another app or create a separate balance. If your bank offers Zelle, you already have everything you need. This guide walks you through how Zelle works, how to use it safely, and how to make the most of its features.
What is Zelle?
Zelle is a fast, safe, and easy way to send money directly between almost any bank accounts in the U.S., typically within minutes. It is a service offered by Early Warning Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of seven of the largest U.S. banks. Users can transfer money using their mobile banking app or from the website of a participating financial institution.
Unlike other P2P services like Venmo and Cash App, Zelle is unique because it’s embedded within the online banking systems of participating banks and credit unions. This means users can access Zelle through their existing financial institution’s online or mobile banking app without downloading another app.
Getting Started with Zelle
To get started with Zelle, you first need a bank account with a participating financial institution. If your bank or credit union doesn’t offer Zelle yet, you can still use the service by downloading the standalone Zelle mobile app. You will also need to provide your basic contact information, including a U.S. mobile phone number and a valid email address.
Once you’ve met these prerequisites, you can download your mobile banking app (if you haven’t already), sign in, and look for the Zelle option in the “Send Money” or “Transfer Money” section. After setting up Zelle within your mobile banking app, you’re ready to start sending or receiving money.
How to Use Zelle
Using Zelle’s user-friendly interface is a breeze for less tech-savvy people. At its core, Zelle is a service designed to streamline the process of sending and receiving money, taking the fuss out of financial transactions. And since Zelle connects directly to your existing bank account, there’s no need to manage a separate balance or worry about transferring funds to a different account. Plus, funds typically appear immediately after transfer with no fees. What’s not to love?
The primary operations you can perform on Zelle are sending and receiving money. Let’s go through each of these actions in more detail.
Sending Money with Zelle
Whether you’re splitting a dinner bill with friends or sending money to family, Zelle makes it easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to send money using Zelle:
- Access Zelle: Open your mobile banking app. Look for the “Zelle” option, which is typically found in the “Send Money” or “Payments” section. Select it.
- Choose ‘Send’: Once you’re in the Zelle interface, you’ll see options to “Send,” “Request,” or “Split.” In this case, you’ll want to select “Send.”
- Enter Recipient Details: Enter the recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile phone number. Make sure you have the correct information. Transactions are typically quick and, once initiated, cannot be cancelled.
- Enter Amount: Now, input the amount of money you want to send. Be sure to double-check the figure before proceeding.
- Review and Send: Before you hit “Send,” review your transaction details carefully. Check the amount, and ensure the recipient’s email address or mobile phone number is correct. Once you’re certain everything is as it should be, press Send.”
As long as the recipient has already enrolled with Zelle, transactions between enrolled consumers typically occur within minutes. If they’re not yet enrolled, they’ll receive a notification detailing how to complete the process. Once they’ve enrolled, the transaction proceeds as expected.
Requesting Money with Zelle”
Requesting money through Zelle is just as straightforward as sending it. Maybe you’re collecting contributions for a group gift, or perhaps someone owes you for last week’s lunch. Here’s how to request money with Zelle:
- Access Zelle: As with sending money, you’ll first need to open your mobile banking app and scroll to “Zelle.”
- Choose ‘Request’: In the Zelle interface, select the “Request” option.
- Select the Contact: Now, you’ll need to select the individual from whom you want to request money. This can be done by inputting their enrolled email address or mobile phone number.
- Enter Amount: Input the amount you wish to request. Be sure to double-check the figure before proceeding.
- Review and Request: Before you hit “Request,” review your transaction details. Confirm the amount and check that the recipient’s email address or mobile phone number is correct. Once everything is in order, press ‘Request.’
Once the other party receives your money request, they can then authorize the payment on their end. Keep in mind that even though you’ve requested the money, the transfer won’t be complete until the other person approves it.
In both cases – sending and requesting money – if the person you’re trying to transact with isn’t already enrolled with Zelle, they’ll receive a notification with instructions on how to sign up. After they’re enrolled, you’ll be able to seamlessly send money to or request money from them.
Which Banks Use Zelle?
Zelle has partnered with a wide range of banks and credit unions across the United States. These partnerships make it possible for customers of these financial institutions to send and receive money directly from their mobile banking apps or online banking portals.
Major banks that work with Zelle include:
- Bank of America
- Chase
- Capital One
- Wells Fargo
- U.S. Bank
- Citibank
- PNC Bank
- TD Bank
- BB&T
- SunTrust
Several credit unions also support Zelle. These include:
- Alliant Credit Union
- BECU
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- PenFed Credit Union
Here’s a full list of all the banks that use Zelle.
It’s worth noting that even if your bank or credit union isn’t on this list, you can still use Zelle. This is possible through the standalone Zelle app, which is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. To use the standalone app, all you need is a U.S.-based bank account and a U.S. mobile number or email address.
Is Zelle safe?
Yes—Zelle is generally safe to use, especially when sending money to people you know. It uses encryption and operates within your bank’s existing online and mobile security systems, so the protections you already rely on still apply.
That said, Zelle doesn’t offer buyer protection for authorized payments. If you send money to the wrong person or get scammed in a transaction, there’s usually no way to reverse the payment. For that reason, only use Zelle with trusted contacts—not strangers or sellers you don’t know.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Most Zelle transfers arrive within minutes, but delays can happen—especially with first-time payments. It may take one to three business days to fully enroll a phone number or email address before money can be received.
If a payment is pending or hasn’t shown up, check that the recipient is enrolled with Zelle and that you entered the correct contact info. If the issue persists, contact your bank or credit union for support—they’ll have access to your account details and can help resolve it.
Zelle outages are rare but possible. When that happens, transfers may be delayed temporarily. Stay in touch with the other party, and the payment should process once service is restored.
Pros & Cons of Using Zelle
Zelle is fast and free, but it’s not the right tool for every situation. Here’s a quick look at the biggest benefits and limitations to keep in mind.
Pros
- Fast transfers: Most payments between enrolled users happen within minutes.
- No fees: Zelle doesn’t charge to send or receive money.
- Easy access: Built into the apps of hundreds of U.S. banks and credit unions.
Cons
- No purchase protection: Authorized payments can’t be reversed, even if there’s a problem.
- U.S. only: Zelle doesn’t support international transfers or non-U.S. bank accounts.
- No credit card option: Payments must come from a linked bank account or debit card.
Final Thoughts
Zelle is a convenient way to send and receive money fast—without paying fees or waiting days for funds to clear. It’s a solid option for everyday transactions between friends, family, and trusted contacts.
Just be cautious with who you send money to, double-check contact details before hitting “Send,” and remember that Zelle is built for trust-based payments, not for buying from strangers online. Use it wisely, and it can be one of the easiest tools in your digital wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
See what people are asking about Zelle.
What is the Zelle transfer limit?
The transfer limit for Zelle is determined by your bank or credit union. Some banks may allow you to send up to $2,000 per day, while others may have a lower limit. If you’re using the Zelle app directly and your bank doesn’t offer Zelle, your limit is $500 per week. It’s best to check with your financial institution for the specific limits they have in place.
Does Zelle charge a fee?
Zelle does not charge any fees to send or receive money. It’s important to note that while Zelle itself doesn’t charge fees, your bank or credit union might. Always check with your financial institution about any potential fees associated with sending, requesting, or receiving money.
Is Zelle instant?
Yes, Zelle transfers between enrolled users typically occur within minutes. If the recipient is not yet enrolled with Zelle, it could take between 1 to 3 business days after they enroll for the money to be available.
Can I use Zelle with multiple banks?
Yes, you can use Zelle with multiple bank accounts. However, you’ll need to use a unique email address or U.S. mobile number for each bank account. The same email address or mobile number cannot be used with multiple bank accounts.
Can I cancel a Zelle payment?
Once a payment is sent via Zelle, it cannot be cancelled, unless it was sent to an email address or phone number that hasn’t been enrolled with Zelle yet. Be sure to double-check your transactions before you send them.
Is there a minimum transfer amount on Zelle?
Zelle does not have a specified minimum transfer amount. However, banks and credit unions may set their own minimum transfer amount, so you should confirm with your financial institution.
Can I use Zelle for international transfers?
Zelle is only available for U.S. bank accounts and does not support international transfers. Zelle does not work with international phone numbers or bank accounts, even if the user is physically located in the U.S.
