The basic steps to send a wire transfer
To wire money from your bank, you need your bank's routing number, the recipient's full name and account number, their bank's routing number, and the amount you want to send. Call your bank's wire transfer line or go to a branch in person—most banks do not let you start a wire online without already having the recipient set up in your account. Tell the representative where the money is going, provide the recipient details, confirm the amount, and authorize the transfer. Your bank will give you a confirmation number and a reference code to track the wire.
The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes if you do it in person or over the phone. The money usually arrives the same business day if you send it before your bank's cutoff time, which is typically 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time. If you miss the cutoff, the wire goes out the next business day. Weekends and federal holidays delay the arrival by one day.
Key Takeaways
- You must provide the recipient's full legal name, account number, and their bank's routing number—any error can send the money to the wrong account.
- Most banks require you to call or visit a branch to start a wire transfer; online-only wiring is rare and usually only works for recipients you have already sent money to before.
- Wire transfers cost between $15 and $50 depending on whether the money stays within the United States or goes abroad.
- Once a wire leaves your bank, it cannot be recalled or reversed, so confirm all details before you authorize it.
- The money arrives the same business day if sent before your bank's cutoff time; otherwise it arrives the next business day.
Information you need before you start
Gather the recipient's details before you contact your bank. You need their full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account—if the name is wrong, the receiving bank may reject the wire or hold it for review. You also need their account number and their bank's routing number. If you do not have the routing number, ask the recipient or look it up on the Federal Reserve's routing number database online.
Have your own bank account number and the amount you want to send ready as well. Know whether you are paying the wire fee yourself or asking the recipient to pay it—this matters because some banks deduct the fee from the amount that arrives on the other end. If the wire is going to another country, you may also need the recipient's SWIFT code or IBAN (International Bank Account Number), depending on where they bank.
Wire transfer fees and what they cover
Domestic wire transfers—money staying within the United States—typically cost $15 to $30. International wires cost $35 to $50 or more, depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank charges an additional fee. Some banks charge less if you are a premium customer or if you send the wire through their mobile app rather than calling.
The fee is usually deducted from your account on the day the wire is sent, not on the day it arrives. If you are sending money to someone else, clarify upfront whether they will receive the full amount or whether the fee will come out of what they get. This matters most for international transfers, where fees can stack up on both ends.
How to send a wire in person versus by phone
Going to a branch in person is the safest route because the teller can verify your identity and confirm all the details before the wire leaves. Bring your ID and have all the recipient information written down. The teller will fill out a wire transfer form, read back the details to you, and ask you to sign. This takes about 20 minutes and leaves you with a receipt and confirmation number.
Calling your bank's wire transfer line is faster if you already know the recipient's details. Have your account number, PIN or password, and all recipient information ready before you call. The representative will ask you to confirm the amount and recipient details twice—listen carefully and correct any mistakes before they process the wire. You will get a confirmation number over the phone; ask them to email or mail it to you as well so you have a record.
Some banks now let you initiate wires through their mobile app or website, but only if the recipient is already in your system from a previous transfer. This is the fastest option if it is available to you, but it is not the default for most banks.
What happens after you send the wire
Once your bank processes the wire, the money leaves your account immediately. The receiving bank gets the wire within hours if it is domestic, or within one to three business days if it is international. The recipient's bank then deposits the money into their account—this step can take another day depending on how quickly they process incoming wires.
You can track the wire using the confirmation number your bank gave you. Call your bank's customer service line and provide the confirmation number, and they can tell you whether the wire has been delivered to the receiving bank. If the recipient says they have not received the money after three business days for a domestic wire or five business days for an international wire, contact your bank immediately.
What to do if the wire goes to the wrong account
If you realize you gave your bank the wrong account number or routing number, call your bank immediately—do not wait. If the wire has not yet left your bank, they may be able to stop it. Once the wire has been sent, your bank can file a trace to find out where the money went and ask the receiving bank to return it. This process takes several days to several weeks.
If the money went to the wrong account at the same bank, the receiving bank can usually reverse it quickly. If it went to a different bank, the receiving bank has no obligation to return the money unless the account holder agrees. Your bank can ask them to, but they cannot force them. This is why confirming all details before you authorize the wire is critical—wires are not reversible once they leave your bank.
International wires and currency exchange
Sending money to another country works the same way as a domestic wire, but it takes longer and costs more. You need the recipient's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies their bank internationally) or their IBAN (a longer account number used in Europe and some other regions). Ask the recipient which one their bank uses.
If you are sending money in a different currency, your bank will convert it at their exchange rate on the day the wire is sent. The rate your bank offers is usually higher than the mid-market rate you see online, which means you get less money on the other end. Some banks let you lock in a rate ahead of time; ask when you call to send the wire. International wires typically take one to three business days to arrive, depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank processes wires on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
Not usually. Once your bank sends the wire, it is gone. If you catch the mistake within minutes and call your bank immediately, they may be able to stop it before it leaves their system—but this only works if you call right away. After that, your only option is to ask the receiving bank to return it, which they are not required to do.
What if I do not know the recipient's routing number?
Ask the recipient for it, or look it up on the Federal Reserve's routing number search tool online. You can also call the recipient's bank directly and give them the account number—they will tell you the routing number. Do not guess or use a number you are not sure about.
How long does a wire transfer take?
Domestic wires sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern) arrive the same business day. If you send it after the cutoff or on a weekend, it arrives the next business day. International wires take one to three business days depending on the destination country.
Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire?
Yes. Let them know the amount, when you are sending it, and what name it will be under. This way they know to expect it and can watch for it to arrive. If there is a delay, they will know to contact their bank rather than thinking the money is lost.
What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?
A wire transfer is fast (same day) but costs money and cannot be reversed. An ACH transfer is slower (three to five business days) but is usually free and can be reversed within a window. Use a wire when speed matters or when the recipient needs the money urgently. Use ACH for routine payments where a few days does not matter.