What you need before you start
To wire money to a bank account, you need the recipient's full name, their bank name, their account number, and their bank's routing number. Some banks also ask for the recipient's address. Have all of this information ready before you contact your bank or log into your online banking portal — you cannot complete a wire without it.
The person receiving the money should give you these details directly or in writing. Do not guess at account numbers or routing numbers. A single digit wrong means your money goes to the wrong account, and recovering it is slow and uncertain.
You also need to know how much you are sending and confirm you have that amount available in your account. Most banks place a hold on the funds immediately, even though the wire may not arrive for hours or days.
Key Takeaways
- Collect the recipient's full name, account number, routing number, and bank name before you initiate the wire.
- Domestic wires (within the United States) typically arrive within one business day; international wires take three to five business days or longer.
- Wire fees range from $15 to $50 depending on your bank and whether the wire is domestic or international.
- Once a wire is sent, you cannot cancel it if the recipient's bank has already received it, so verify all details before confirming.
- Keep your wire confirmation number and receipt for your records in case you need to trace the transaction later.
Sending a wire through your bank's website or app
Log into your online banking account and look for a link labeled "Wire Transfer," "Send Money," or "Payments." The exact name varies by bank. Click it and select "Domestic Wire" if you are sending money within the United States, or "International Wire" if the recipient's bank is outside the country.
Enter the recipient's information in the fields provided: their full name exactly as it appears on their account, their account number, their bank's routing number, and their bank's name and address. Double-check every number. Then enter the amount you want to send and add any reference or memo information the recipient asked for — this helps them identify where the money came from.
Review the wire details on the confirmation screen. Your bank will show you the fee (usually $15 to $35 for a domestic wire) and the total amount that will leave your account. Confirm the wire. Your bank will generate a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot. You will need it if anything goes wrong.
Sending a wire in person at a bank branch
Walk into your bank with the recipient's information and ask to send a wire transfer. A teller will give you a form to fill out with the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and bank details. Write clearly and double-check your work before handing the form back.
The teller will tell you the fee and confirm the amount leaving your account. You will pay the fee at that time — some banks deduct it from your account, others charge it separately. The teller will give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Keep this receipt.
In-person wires are slower than online wires only if the branch processes them at the end of the day. If you send it early in the morning on a business day, it usually leaves the same day.
How long a wire takes to arrive
A domestic wire sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on a business day) typically arrives at the recipient's bank the next business day. If you send it after the cutoff, it will not leave your bank until the following business day, so arrival takes two days.
International wires take longer. Most arrive within three to five business days, but some take a week or more depending on the destination country and whether the recipient's bank is in a major financial hub. The recipient's bank may also hold the money for a day or two while they verify it.
Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. A wire sent on Friday afternoon will not leave your bank until Monday morning.
What happens if you send money to the wrong account
If you realize the account number or routing number is wrong before the wire arrives at the recipient's bank, call your bank immediately and ask to cancel the wire. Some banks can stop a wire if it has not yet been processed, but this window is usually only a few hours. You may be charged a cancellation fee.
If the wire has already arrived at the recipient's bank, you cannot cancel it through your bank. You will have to contact the recipient's bank directly and ask them to reverse the transaction. This requires the recipient's bank to agree, and they are not required to do so. If the money went to someone else's account by mistake, you may have to pursue a civil claim to recover it.
This is why verifying the account number and routing number with the recipient before you send is critical. Ask them to confirm these numbers in writing or have them read them back to you over the phone.
Wire fees and what they cover
Domestic wire fees range from $15 to $35 at most banks. Some banks charge less for online wires and more for in-person wires. A few banks offer free wires to customers who meet certain conditions, such as maintaining a minimum balance or having a premium account.
International wire fees are higher, usually $35 to $50, and sometimes include a separate fee charged by the recipient's bank. The recipient's bank may also deduct a small amount from the wire as a processing fee, so the amount they receive may be slightly less than what you sent.
The fee is separate from the amount you are sending. If you send $500 and the fee is $25, your account will be charged $525 total.
Tracing a wire if it does not arrive
If the recipient says they have not received the money after the expected arrival time, contact your bank with your confirmation number. Your bank can check whether the wire left your account and, if it did, whether the recipient's bank received it.
If your bank confirms the wire was sent but the recipient's bank says they never received it, the wire may be stuck in the banking system. Your bank can file a trace request with the Federal Reserve or the recipient's bank to locate it. This process takes several days to a week.
If the recipient's bank received the wire but the recipient's account was closed or the account number was wrong, the money may be returned to your bank. This also takes several days. Keep your confirmation number and stay in touch with your bank until the issue is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire after I send it?
Only if you call your bank within a few hours and the wire has not yet been processed. Once the recipient's bank receives it, you cannot cancel it through your bank. You would have to contact the recipient's bank directly and ask them to reverse it, which they are not required to do.
What is the difference between a routing number and an account number?
The routing number identifies the bank itself — it is the same for all customers of that bank. The account number identifies your specific account at that bank. You need both to send a wire. The routing number is usually nine digits; the account number varies in length.
Do I need the recipient's address to send a wire?
For domestic wires, usually no — just the name, account number, routing number, and bank name. For international wires, many banks ask for the recipient's address. Check with your bank or look at the wire form to see what fields are required.
What if the recipient's bank is not in the United States?
You will send an international wire instead of a domestic wire. The process is the same, but it takes longer (three to five business days or more) and costs more ($35 to $50). You may also need the recipient's SWIFT code or IBAN instead of a routing number, depending on the country. Ask the recipient which code their bank uses.
Will the recipient see my name when the wire arrives?
Yes. Your name appears on the wire so the recipient knows who sent the money. This is why you need the recipient's full name too — so their bank can match the wire to the correct account.