What you need before you start
To set up an ACH payment, you need the recipient's bank account number, routing number, and the name of their bank. You also need to know whether you are paying from a checking or savings account at your own bank. That is the complete list. ACH does not require a special app, a separate account, or a fee in most cases.
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank itself. The account number identifies the specific account within that bank. Both are printed on a check, or you can call the recipient's bank and ask. If you are paying a business or government agency, they usually print both numbers on their invoice or website.
Before you proceed, confirm with the recipient that they accept ACH payments. Some landlords, utilities, and small businesses do not. If they do, ask them to confirm the account and routing numbers in writing—a screenshot of their website or an email—so you have proof if something goes wrong.
Key Takeaways
- You need the recipient's routing number and account number, which you can find on a check, their invoice, or by calling their bank.
- ACH payments are set up through your own bank's website, mobile app, or by phone, not through the recipient's bank.
- Most banks let you schedule an ACH payment to post in one to three business days, though some allow next-day posting for an extra fee.
- Once you enter the recipient's information, your bank will usually verify the account with two small test deposits before the full payment goes through.
- ACH payments are reversible for up to 60 days if the recipient's account is closed or the payment was sent by mistake.
Setting up ACH through your bank's website or app
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a section called "Pay Bills," "Send Money," "Transfers," or "Payments." The exact name varies by bank. Once you find it, select the option to add a new payee or recipient.
Enter the recipient's full name, routing number, and account number. Double-check all three against the document you received from them. Your bank will ask whether the account is checking or savings; select the correct type. Then enter the payment amount and the date you want it to post. Most banks let you choose a date one to three business days in the future.
After you submit, your bank will display a confirmation screen. Write down or screenshot the confirmation number. Then watch your bank account for two small test deposits—usually under $1 each—that will appear in the recipient's account within one to two business days. This is your bank's way of verifying the account exists and belongs to the person you named.
Once the test deposits post, you will receive an email or notification asking you to confirm the amounts. Enter those amounts into your bank's system to complete the verification. After that, the full payment will process automatically on the date you selected.
Setting up ACH by phone or in person
If you do not have online banking or prefer to speak to someone, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card. Tell them you want to set up an ACH payment and have the recipient's routing number and account number ready.
The representative will ask for the same information: recipient's name, routing number, account number, account type, payment amount, and the date you want it to post. They will also confirm your own account and may ask security questions to verify your identity. The process takes about five to ten minutes.
Ask the representative to email or mail you a confirmation number and the details of the payment you just set up. This gives you a paper record. The test deposit verification process works the same way as online—your bank will send two small deposits, and you will need to confirm the amounts before the full payment posts.
How long ACH payments take to post
A standard ACH payment takes one to three business days to reach the recipient's account after you submit it. This timeline does not include weekends or federal holidays. If you submit a payment on Friday afternoon, it will not post until Monday or Tuesday at the earliest.
Some banks offer next-day ACH for an additional fee, usually $1 to $3 per transaction. This is worth paying if you are close to a bill due date or a court deadline. Ask your bank whether next-day ACH is available and what the fee is before you commit to it.
The recipient's bank may take an additional day to make the funds available in their account, even after your bank sends the payment. This is rare but can happen if their bank processes deposits in batches. If the recipient says they have not received the money after three business days, contact your bank immediately with your confirmation number.
What happens if you make a mistake
If you sent money to the wrong account or the wrong amount, you have up to 60 days to request a reversal. Contact your bank and provide the confirmation number, the date the payment posted, and the recipient's account number. Your bank will file a reversal request with the recipient's bank.
The recipient's bank will freeze the funds in that account and notify the account holder. If the account holder agrees to the reversal, the money returns to your account within one to three business days. If they refuse or do not respond, your bank will tell you that the reversal cannot be completed, and you will need to contact the recipient directly to ask them to send the money back.
If the recipient's account was closed before your reversal request was filed, the money may be returned automatically. Your bank will notify you when this happens. Do not assume the reversal went through—follow up with your bank if you do not see the money back in your account within a week.
Recurring ACH payments and autopay
Most banks let you set up a recurring ACH payment for bills that are the same amount every month, like rent or a loan payment. When you create the payment, select "Recurring" or "Autopay" and choose the frequency: weekly, biweekly, monthly, or a custom schedule.
Enter the start date and either an end date or the number of payments you want to make. Your bank will process the payment automatically on that schedule without you having to log in each time. You can change or cancel a recurring payment at any time through your bank's website or by calling customer service.
Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to check that each recurring payment posts on time. If a payment fails because your account does not have enough money or because the recipient's account was closed, your bank will notify you, but it is your responsibility to fix it. Some banks charge a fee if a recurring payment bounces.
ACH payment limits and fraud protection
Most banks set a daily limit on how much you can send via ACH, usually between $1,000 and $10,000 per day. Some banks let you request a higher limit if you have been a customer for a certain length of time or maintain a minimum balance. Call your bank to ask what your current limit is and whether it can be increased.
ACH payments are protected by federal law if someone uses your account without permission. If you notice an unauthorized ACH payment, report it to your bank within 60 days. Your bank must investigate and return the money while the investigation is ongoing. After 60 days, you lose the right to dispute the payment.
To protect yourself, never share your full account number or routing number with someone you do not trust. Scammers sometimes pose as utility companies or landlords and ask for this information over the phone or email. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank or a company you owe money to, hang up and call the official number on your bill or bank card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an ACH payment after I submit it?
Yes, but only before it posts. Once the money leaves your account, you can request a reversal, but the recipient's bank does not have to honor it if the account holder refuses. Call your bank as soon as you realize the mistake and provide your confirmation number. If the payment has not posted yet, your bank can usually stop it within hours.
What is the difference between ACH and a wire transfer?
ACH is slower (one to three days) and cheaper or free. Wire transfers are faster (same day or next day) and cost $15 to $50. Use ACH for routine bills and payments where you have time. Use wire transfer only when you need the money to arrive urgently and you are certain the recipient's account information is correct, because wire transfers cannot be reversed.
Do I need to set up ACH with the recipient's bank?
No. You set up ACH entirely through your own bank. The recipient does nothing. Their bank receives the payment automatically once your bank sends it. You do not need permission from the recipient's bank, only from your own bank.
What if the recipient says they never received my ACH payment?
Ask your bank for the status of the payment using your confirmation number. Your bank can tell you whether it posted to the recipient's account and when. If it posted, the recipient's bank received it, and the recipient may be looking in the wrong account or may not have checked yet. If it did not post, your bank will investigate why and may send it again or reverse it to your account.
Can I set up ACH from a savings account?
Yes. When you enter the recipient's information, your bank will ask whether you are sending from checking or savings. Select savings and proceed as normal. The timeline and process are the same. Some banks limit how many ACH transfers you can make from a savings account per month, so check your account terms.