What you need before you start

To send a wire transfer, you need the recipient's full name, their bank account number, and their bank's routing number (for domestic US transfers) or SWIFT code (for international transfers). You also need to know how much you're sending and have that amount available in your account — most banks deduct the wire fee (usually $15 to $30 for domestic wires) from your balance at the time of transfer.

If you don't have the recipient's banking details, ask them directly. Never guess or use information from an email or text message alone — wire transfers cannot be reversed once sent, so accuracy is critical. If the account number or routing number is wrong, the money may be sent to the wrong person or returned to you after a delay of several days.

You'll also need access to your bank account through online banking, a mobile app, or by visiting a branch in person. Some banks allow wire transfers only through their website or app, while others require you to go to a physical location.

Key Takeaways

  • Wire transfers require the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number (domestic) or SWIFT code (international), and cannot be reversed once sent.
  • Most domestic bank-to-bank wires arrive the same business day if sent before your bank's cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
  • Domestic wire fees typically range from $15 to $30; international wires cost more and may take one to three business days.
  • If you send money to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately — they can attempt a recall, but recovery is not may provide.
  • Verify the recipient's details in writing before sending, and keep your wire confirmation number for your records.

Step-by-step: sending a wire through online banking

Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a link labeled "Wire Transfer," "Send Money," or "Payments." Click it and select "Domestic Wire" (for transfers within the US) or "International Wire" (for transfers outside the US).

Enter the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account. Then enter their account number and routing number. For domestic wires, the routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies their bank; you can find it on a check or ask the recipient's bank directly. For international wires, use the recipient's SWIFT code instead — this is a code that identifies their bank worldwide.

Enter the amount you want to send. Your bank will show you the wire fee and the total that will be deducted from your account. Review this carefully before proceeding. Then enter a brief description of the wire (for example, "rent payment" or "invoice 12345") — this appears on both your receipt and the recipient's bank statement.

Click "Review" or "Confirm," check all the details one more time, and then click "Send" or "Submit." Your bank will give you a confirmation number immediately. Write this down or take a screenshot — you'll need it if you have to contact your bank later.

Sending a wire in person at a bank branch

If you prefer not to use online banking or your bank doesn't offer wire transfers online, you can visit a branch and ask a teller to send the wire for you. Bring a photo ID and have the recipient's information ready (full name, account number, routing number or SWIFT code, and the amount).

The teller will fill out a wire transfer form with you, show you the fee, and ask you to sign. They'll verify the details with you before sending. Once the wire is sent, they'll give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Keep this receipt in a safe place.

Some banks charge a higher fee for in-person wires than for online wires, so ask about the cost before you proceed. Also ask what time the branch stops accepting wires — if you arrive after that time, your wire may not go out until the next business day.

When the wire arrives and what the recipient sees

For domestic wires sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time on a business day), the money typically arrives in the recipient's account the same day. If you send after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday, the wire goes out the next business day.

The recipient's bank will deposit the money into their account and show it as a wire transfer on their statement. They'll see your name (or the description you entered) so they know where the money came from. The recipient does not need to do anything to receive the wire — it arrives automatically once their bank processes it.

For international wires, arrival times vary. Most take one to three business days depending on the destination country and the banks involved. International wires also cost more — typically $25 to $50 or higher — and may include currency conversion fees if the recipient's account is in a different currency.

What to do if you sent money to the wrong account

Contact your bank immediately — the same day if possible. Tell them the wire was sent to the wrong account and ask them to attempt a recall. Your bank will contact the recipient's bank and ask them to return the funds.

A recall sometimes works if the recipient's bank hasn't released the money yet, but there's no may provide. If the money has already been withdrawn or transferred out, the recipient's bank cannot force it back. In that case, you'll need to contact the recipient directly and ask them to return the money voluntarily.

If the recipient refuses to return the money or cannot be reached, you may need to pursue the matter through small claims court or with the help of a lawyer. This is why verifying the account details before sending is so important — prevention is much easier than recovery.

Wire transfer fees and what affects the cost

Domestic wire transfer fees are set by each bank and typically range from $15 to $30. Some banks charge less for online wires and more for wires sent in person or by phone. A few banks offer free wires to customers who meet certain conditions (such as maintaining a minimum balance or having direct deposit), so check your bank's fee schedule or ask a teller.

International wire fees are higher and vary widely depending on the destination country and whether the recipient's bank charges a fee on their end. Expect to pay $25 to $50 or more for an international wire. If the recipient's account is in a different currency, your bank may also charge a currency conversion fee or apply an exchange rate that includes a markup.

The fee is deducted from your account at the time the wire is sent, so make sure you have enough money to cover both the wire amount and the fee. If your account doesn't have enough funds, the wire will be rejected and you may be charged a returned-item fee.

Security and fraud protection for wire transfers

Wire transfers are not protected by the same fraud rules as credit cards or debit cards. Once the money leaves your account, it's gone — your bank cannot reverse it if you were tricked into sending it to a scammer. This is why criminals often ask victims to send wire transfers: they're fast, irreversible, and hard to trace.

Never send a wire transfer based on an email, text message, or phone call alone, even if it appears to come from someone you know. Scammers can fake email addresses and phone numbers. If someone asks you to wire money urgently, hang up or close the email and call them back using a phone number you know is correct.

Before you send any wire, verify the recipient's account details in writing — ask them to send you their banking information through a secure channel or confirm it in person. If you're paying a business or contractor, ask them to provide their wire instructions on their official letterhead or website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

Not reliably. If you contact your bank within minutes of sending the wire — before it actually leaves their system — they may be able to stop it. But once the wire has been sent to the recipient's bank, cancellation is not possible. Your only option is to ask the recipient's bank to recall the funds, which works only if the money hasn't been withdrawn yet.

What's the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?

Wire transfers are fast (usually same-day) and irreversible, but cost $15 to $30. ACH transfers are slower (one to three business days) and often free, but can be reversed for up to 60 days if there's a problem. Use a wire when speed matters and you trust the recipient; use ACH for routine bills and payroll.

Do I need the recipient's name to match their account exactly?

Yes. If you enter a name that doesn't match the account, the recipient's bank may reject the wire or hold it for review. Always ask the recipient how their name appears on their account and enter it exactly that way — including middle initials, suffixes, or any other details.

What happens if my bank's wire cutoff time has passed?

Your wire will be sent the next business day. If you send it on a Friday after the cutoff, it won't go out until Monday. If Monday is a holiday, it goes out Tuesday. Ask your bank what time their cutoff is so you know whether to expect same-day or next-day delivery.

Can someone else pick up a wire transfer I send to them?

No. Wire transfers go directly into a bank account, not to a person. The recipient's bank deposits the money into their account automatically. The recipient can then withdraw it or transfer it elsewhere, but only they (or someone with access to their account) can do that.