What you need before you start
To wire money between banks, you need the recipient's full name, their bank name, their account number, and their bank's routing number. You also need to know how much you're sending and have funds available in your account to cover the transfer plus any wire fee your bank charges.
Some banks ask for additional details: the recipient's address, your relationship to them, or the reason for the transfer. This is standard anti-fraud screening. If you're wiring to a business, you may need a tax ID instead of a personal name. Have all this information ready before you call or log in—it speeds up the process and reduces errors.
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the recipient's bank. You can find it on a check, on the bank's website, or by calling the bank directly. Do not guess or use a number from the internet without confirming it with the bank itself—a wrong routing number sends your money to the wrong institution, and recovery can take weeks.
Key Takeaways
- You need the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and bank name before you initiate a wire; confirm the routing number directly with the bank, not from a third-party website.
- Domestic wires (between U.S. banks) typically arrive within one business day, while international wires take three to five business days and cost more.
- Wire fees range from $15 to $50 depending on your bank and whether the wire is domestic or international; some banks waive fees for certain account types.
- Once a wire is sent, it cannot be stopped or reversed unless the receiving bank agrees to return it, so verify all details before you confirm.
- You can initiate a wire online, by phone, or in person at a branch; online is fastest, but phone or in-person may be required for large amounts or new recipients.
Initiating a wire online or through your bank's app
Most banks let you start a wire through their website or mobile app. Log in, find the "Send Money" or "Wire Transfer" section, and select "New Recipient" or "Add Payee." Enter the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and bank name exactly as they appear on official documents. Any typo—even a single digit wrong in the account number—sends the money to the wrong account.
Enter the amount you want to send. Your bank will show you the fee (usually $15 to $30 for a domestic wire) and deduct both the transfer amount and the fee from your account. Review the summary screen carefully: recipient name, account number, routing number, amount, and fee. If anything looks wrong, do not proceed—go back and correct it.
Click "Confirm" or "Submit." Your bank will send the wire to the Federal Reserve or to a correspondent bank, which routes it to the recipient's bank. You'll receive a confirmation number immediately. Save this number—you'll need it if you ever have to trace the wire or dispute it later.
Sending a wire by phone or at a branch
If your bank requires it, or if you're sending a large amount or wiring to a new recipient for the first time, you may need to call your bank or visit a branch in person. Have all the recipient information ready before you call. The bank representative will ask you to confirm each detail aloud: the recipient's full name, account number, routing number, bank name, and the amount.
Some banks record these calls for verification purposes. If you're at a branch, you may be asked to show ID and sign a wire transfer authorization form. This form is your record that you initiated the wire and approved the amount and recipient. Keep a copy for your records.
The bank will give you a confirmation number on the call or on the form. Write it down immediately. This number is how you track the wire if it doesn't arrive on time or if there's a problem.
How long a wire takes and what happens next
A domestic wire (between U.S. banks) typically arrives within one business day. If you send it before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. on a business day), it may arrive the same day. If you send it after the cutoff or on a weekend, it will arrive the next business day.
International wires take longer: three to five business days is standard, though some routes take up to a week. The receiving bank may also hold the funds for a day or two while they verify the account. If the recipient doesn't see the money within the expected timeframe, they should contact their bank to confirm it arrived.
Your bank will debit your account immediately when you send the wire, even though the money hasn't reached the recipient yet. This is normal. The funds are in transit through the banking system, and your bank is responsible for delivering them to the recipient's bank.
Wire fees and what affects the cost
Most banks charge $15 to $30 for a domestic wire and $35 to $50 for an international wire. Some banks charge extra if you're sending money to a new recipient or if the wire is unusually large. A few banks waive wire fees for customers with premium checking accounts or high balances.
The fee is deducted from your account when you send the wire. It is not refundable if the wire is delayed or if there's a problem—the fee covers your bank's processing cost, not a may provide of delivery. If the wire fails (for example, because the routing number was wrong), your bank may charge the fee again when you resend it.
International wires may also include fees from the receiving bank or from correspondent banks in between. These fees are sometimes deducted from the amount the recipient receives, so the recipient may get less than you sent. Ask your bank whether the amount you enter is what the recipient will receive or whether fees will be subtracted.
What to do if the wire doesn't arrive
If the recipient hasn't received the money within the expected timeframe, contact your bank with your confirmation number. Your bank can trace the wire through the Federal Reserve system to see where it is. This process usually takes one to three business days.
If the wire was sent to the wrong account (because of a typo in the account number or routing number), your bank will contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds. The receiving bank is not required to do this, but most will if the account holder agrees. This can take one to four weeks.
If the wire was sent to the correct account but the recipient claims they never received it, ask the recipient to check with their bank. The money may have arrived but been held pending verification, or it may have been deposited to a different account. Once your bank confirms the receiving bank accepted the wire, your bank's responsibility ends—the problem is now between the recipient and their bank.
Why you cannot reverse a wire after it's sent
Unlike a credit card charge or an ACH transfer, a wire cannot be stopped once it leaves your bank. The money is already on its way through the banking system, and your bank has no way to recall it. The only way to get the money back is to ask the receiving bank to return it voluntarily, which they are not required to do.
This is why it's critical to verify every detail before you hit "Confirm." Check the recipient's name, account number, and routing number against official documents. If you're sending money to someone you don't know well, ask them to confirm their account details in writing before you wire anything.
If you realize you made a mistake after sending the wire, contact your bank immediately with your confirmation number. Your bank can try to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds, but there is no may provide they will. Some banks will freeze the account if the receiving bank agrees, but this process is slow and uncertain.
Domestic vs. international wires
A domestic wire stays within the U.S. banking system and uses routing numbers to identify banks. It arrives within one business day and costs $15 to $30. You need the recipient's name, account number, and routing number.
An international wire leaves the U.S. and goes through correspondent banks in other countries. It uses SWIFT codes (an international bank identifier) instead of routing numbers, takes three to five business days, and costs $35 to $50 or more. You may also need the recipient's address and a tax ID or passport number.
International wires are more expensive and slower because they pass through multiple banks and may be converted to another currency. Some receiving banks also charge a fee, which may be deducted from the amount the recipient receives. Ask your bank for the total cost before you send an international wire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire after I've sent it?
Not reliably. Once your bank sends the wire, it's in the banking system and cannot be recalled. Your only option is to ask your bank to contact the receiving bank and request they return the funds, but the receiving bank is not required to do this. Contact your bank immediately if you need to try, but do not expect the money to come back.
What if I send money to the wrong account by mistake?
Contact your bank right away with your confirmation number. Your bank will ask the receiving bank to return the funds. If the receiving bank agrees, the money will be sent back to your account, but this can take one to four weeks. If the receiving bank refuses or if the account holder has already spent the money, you may not recover it.
Do I need to tell the recipient I'm sending a wire?
Yes. Let them know the amount, the date you're sending it, and approximately when it will arrive. This way, they can watch for it and contact their bank if it doesn't show up on time. It also prevents confusion if they receive an unexpected deposit.
Can I wire money from one of my own accounts to another?
Yes. You can wire money between your own accounts at different banks. Use your own name as the recipient and your account number and routing number at the receiving bank. The process is the same, and the fee still applies.
What happens if the routing number I used was wrong?
The wire will go to the wrong bank. Your bank will debit your account, but the receiving bank will reject the wire because the account number doesn't match their records. The money will be returned to your account, but this can take one to three weeks. Always confirm the routing number directly with the recipient's bank before you send.