What to Know About Zelle Transfer Limits

Lauren WardUpdated August 18, 2023

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If you frequently transfer money through Zelle, it’s important to know your Zelle transfer limit. Zelle limits vary among financial institutions, with some banks having higher limits than others. However, not every bank has partnered with Zelle, so if you have a large amount of money to send, you may need to rethink which bank or payment process you use. Keep reading to learn more on Zelle’s transfer limits, whether you can request higher transfers, and what to do when you’ve reached your maximum transfer limit.

What Is Zelle's Transfer Limit?

Zelle does have a transfer limit, but Zelle’s daily limits vary among banks. While transferring money from different banks is easy through Zelle, your financial institution likely imposes daily, weekly, and monthly limitations on how much you can send.Below is a list of popular banks and their Zelle transfer limits:

Bank or Credit Union:	Zelle Limits:
• Alliance	• $500 per transfer; $1,500 daily limit
• Wells Fargo	• Varies
• U.S. Bank	• Varies
• OceanFirst Bank	• $2,500 daily; $5,000 monthly
• Republic Bank	• Varies
• Citigroup	• New accounts: $500 daily; $2,500 monthly • Existing accounts: $2,500-$5,000 daily; $15,000-$20,000 monthly
• Bank of America	• $3,500 or 10 transfers a day; $10,000 or 30 transfers a week; $20,000 or 60 transfers a month
• Barclays	• Not partnered with Zelle
• CIT Bank	• $300 per transaction; $600 per day; limits may be increased
• PNC Financial Services	• Varies
• Laurel Road	• $1,000 per day
• Truist Financial Corporation	• $2,000 per day
• JPMorgan Chase	• $5,000 per transaction

If your bank or credit union has not partnered with Zelle, then the weekly limit is $500 through the app. This amount cannot be increased under any circumstances, so you may want to consider opening a savings account with a bank that has partnered with Zelle or using a different payment process.Recommended: Guide to the Different Types of Savings Accounts

Knowing Your Zelle Transfer Limit

While many online savings accounts and traditional financial institutions are partnered with Zelle, there isn’t an industry standard on transfer limits. Plus, there may be savings account fees associated with the transfer. While Zelle itself doesn’t charge fees, the bank or credit union may.Before using Zelle, look up your bank's transfer limits and any accompanying fees. If you can’t find anything printed online, contact customer service and speak with a representative. Recommended: APY vs APR: What’s the Difference?

Can You Increase Your Zelle Transfer Limit?

You may be able to request an increase for your Zelle transfer limit, but you will likely need to speak with a representative. Depending on the financial institution, the bank may deny your request, but different types of bank accounts may have more leeway than others. If you have exceeded your Zelle daily or weekly transfer limit, you may have to wait for the clocks to reset. Zelle transfer clocks reset at midnight each day, while weekly limits reset on Sundays. If your bank or credit union is not partnered with Zelle, and you are primarily working through the Zelle app, then you cannot request a transfer limit increase. Zelle only allows a weekly transfer limit of $500.

Exploring Alternatives to Zelle for Higher Transfer Limits

Zelle isn’t the only option for sending money. Some of its primary competitors include Apple Pay, Venmo, Cash App, and Paypal. Each service comes with its own set of pros and cons that you’ll need to consider if Zelle’s limitations don’t work for you. Before you start researching alternatives, here are some things to keep in mind when using Zelle:

Benefits of Zelle	Drawbacks of Zelle
• Many banks and credit unions are integrated with Zelle• Zelle does not charge fees• Transfers are fast, easy, and secure• You can receive as much money as needed• Routing and account numbers are not needed	• Not partnered with every bank and credit union within the U.S.• $500 weekly limit if your financial institution is not in its network• Cannot transfer money internationally; banks must be U.S.-based• Bank or credit union may charge its own fees• Financial institution may have low transfer limitations

Tips for Managing Zelle Transfer Limits

If you have a large Zelle transfer on the horizon, you may need to plan ahead to ensure your recipient receives their money. As discussed, banks and credit unions usually have both daily, weekly, and monthly transfer limits. Therefore, determine what your daily limit is and whether or not the transfer will put you past your monthly limit if you’ve used Zelle for other transactions throughout the month.Depending on the amount of the transfer, you may have to:

Split the transfer up into multiple Zelle transactions over several days
Wait for your daily, weekly, or monthly limit to reset
Use a combination of other digital payment services, such as:
- Apple Pay
- Paypal
- Venmo
- Cash App
Do a wire transfer or send cashier’s check

Communicate with the recipient about any problems or issues you may be having and let them know how and when they can expect payment. If you’re working with a business, speak with its accounting department and outline how you plan to complete payment.

The Takeaway

Many banks and credit unions have partnered with Zelle to make money transfers easier for their customers. However, even if a financial institution works with Zelle, it may charge its own fees and it may have a low transfer limit. If you plan on using Zelle frequently, consider opening an account with a bank that has higher Zelle transfer limits and that offers a high APY. At Lantern Credit, we’ve partnered with banks offering some of the best returns for savings accounts. Lantern allows you to compare rates, minimum balance requirements, and fees all in one spot.Compare high interest online savings accounts and find today’s best rate with Lantern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you transfer $10,000 through Zelle?

What is the maximum you can send through Zelle?

Does Zelle charge a fee?

Photo credit: iStock/FreshSplash

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About the Author

Lauren Ward

Lauren Ward is a personal finance expert with nearly a decade of experience writing online content. Her work has appeared on websites such as MSN, Time, and Bankrate. Lauren writes on a variety of personal finance topics for SoFi, including credit and banking.

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