How To Withdraw Money From Your YouTube Channel

Introduction.

YouTube isn’t just a platform for watching funny videos or following your favorite creators—it’s also a place where many people are making real money.

If you’ve worked hard to build a channel, grown your audience, and monetized your content, the next step is to actually access the money you’ve earned. But if you’re new to this, figuring out how to withdraw money from YouTube can feel a little tricky.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, step by step. By the end, you’ll be ready to access your earnings and put them to use.

How YouTube Pays You

Before jumping into the withdrawal process, it helps to understand where the money comes from and how it ends up in your account.

1. Monetization with AdSense

Once you’ve reached YouTube’s monetization requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within a year), you can join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This allows YouTube to run ads on your videos, and you get a share of the revenue.

All YouTube payments are managed through Google AdSense. So, when someone watches an ad on your channel, Google collects the money from advertisers and sends your portion to your AdSense account.

2. Other Sources of Income

Besides ad revenue, you might also be earning from:

Channel memberships: Fans pay a monthly fee for perks like exclusive content.
Super Chats and Super Stickers: Viewers pay to highlight their messages during live streams.
YouTube Premium revenue: You earn when Premium members watch your videos.
Merchandise sales through YouTube’s merch shelf integration.

Now, let’s break down how you can actually withdraw these earnings.

How Do I Withdraw Money from YouTube?

Step 1: Set Up a Google AdSense Account

You can’t get paid without an AdSense account. If you don’t have one yet, here’s how to set it up:

Go to Google AdSense.
Click Get Started and follow the steps to link your YouTube channel.
Enter your payment details, including your bank information, so Google knows where to send the money.
Verify your identity and address (Google will send a PIN to your address for verification).

Tip: Use the same Google account for AdSense that you use for YouTube. It keeps things simple.

Step 2: Reach the Payment Threshold

Google AdSense won’t release your money until you reach a minimum balance of $100 USD (or the equivalent in your local currency).

This might take some time, especially if you’re just starting out. Keep an eye on your earnings in your AdSense dashboard.

Step 3: Choose Your Payment Method

Once you hit the $100 threshold, you’ll need to choose how you want to get paid. Here are the common options:

Bank Transfer: The easiest and most popular option. Your earnings are sent directly to your bank account.
Check: If you prefer, Google can mail you a physical check, but this method takes longer.
Wire Transfer: This option is available in certain countries and works for larger amounts.
Western Union Quick Cash: Available in some regions, especially where banking options are limited.

To set up your payment method:

Log in to your AdSense account.
Click Payments.
Choose Add payment method.
Enter your bank details or select your preferred method.

Step 4: Wait for Payment Day

Google AdSense pays out once a month, typically around the 21st to 26th of each month. Your balance must reach $100 by the end of the previous month to qualify for that month’s payout.

For example:

If you hit $100 by October 31st, you’ll receive your payment around November 21st.
If you don’t hit $100, your earnings roll over to the next month.

Step 5: Check for Payment Issues

Sometimes, payments can be delayed due to:

Incorrect bank details.
Pending verification (like address or tax info).
Country-specific issues, such as restrictions on payment methods.

To avoid this, double-check your details and keep your account updated.

FAQs

1. How much does YouTube take from my earnings?

YouTube takes 45% of ad revenue, leaving you with 55%. For Super Chats and memberships, YouTube takes a smaller cut.

2. Do I need to pay taxes on my YouTube earnings?

Yes, YouTube earnings are taxable income. You’ll need to provide tax information when setting up AdSense. Make sure to check your country’s tax regulations.

3. What happens if I don’t reach $100?

Your earnings will roll over to the next month until you hit the threshold.

4. Can I withdraw money before reaching $100?

No, Google AdSense only pays out once you hit the minimum balance.

5. What if my payment is late?

If it’s been more than a few days after the payout date and you haven’t received your payment, check your AdSense dashboard for errors or contact Google support.

Conclusion

Withdrawing money from your YouTube channel might seem complicated at first, but once you’ve set up AdSense and reached the payment threshold, it’s a pretty smooth process.

The key is making sure your account is set up correctly, and you’re staying on top of your earnings.

Now that you know how to withdraw your YouTube earnings, what’s your next goal for growing your channel?