The basic steps to wire money from one bank to another
To wire money between banks, you need to contact your bank with the recipient's account details, authorize the transfer, and pay any fee your bank charges. Most banks let you start a wire through online banking, a phone call, or by visiting a branch in person. The money typically arrives the same business day if you send it before your bank's cutoff time—usually early afternoon—or the next business day if you miss the cutoff or send on a weekend.
The recipient's bank account number and routing number are the core information your bank needs. You will also provide the recipient's name, their bank's name, and the amount. If the recipient is at a bank outside the United States, you will need their International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or SWIFT code instead of a routing number. Your bank will charge a fee, which ranges from $15 to $50 depending on the bank and whether the wire stays domestic or goes international.
Once you authorize the transfer, your bank deducts the money from your account immediately. The receiving bank deposits it into the recipient's account within hours on the same business day, or by the next business day. Unlike checks or ACH transfers, wire transfers cannot be reversed after they leave your bank, so confirm all details before you authorize.
Key Takeaways
- You need the recipient's account number, routing number, and full name; for international wires, you need their IBAN or SWIFT code instead.
- Wire transfers deduct money from your account immediately and arrive the same business day if sent before your bank's cutoff, usually in the early afternoon.
- Your bank charges a fee between $15 and $50 for domestic wires and more for international ones; the fee comes out of your account or is deducted from the amount sent.
- Wire transfers cannot be canceled or reversed after they leave your bank, so verify the recipient's details and account number before authorizing.
- If you send a wire to the wrong account, you must contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds; recovery is not may provide.
What information you need before you start
Gather the recipient's details before you contact your bank. For a domestic wire within the United States, you need their full legal name (as it appears on their account), their account number, and their bank's routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank; you can find it on a check, on the bank's website, or by calling the bank directly.
For an international wire, you need the recipient's full name, their account number, their bank's name and address, and either their bank's SWIFT code or their International Bank Account Number (IBAN). SWIFT codes are four to eleven characters and identify the bank globally. IBANs are longer—up to 34 characters—and include the country code and account details in a single number. Ask the recipient which one their bank uses, or check their bank's website.
Confirm the account number with the recipient directly, especially for international transfers. A single digit wrong sends the money to a different account, and recovery is difficult. If the recipient is unsure, ask them to log into their online banking or call their bank to verify the number before you proceed.
How to send a wire through your bank
Online banking is the fastest route if your bank offers it. Log in, find the wire transfer or send money section (often under "Transfers" or "Pay"), and enter the recipient's details. Review the amount, fee, and arrival date. Most banks show you the fee before you confirm. Authorize the transfer, and your bank will display a confirmation number. Save or print this number; you will need it if you have questions later.
Phone is the next option. Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your statement. Tell them you want to send a wire transfer, and provide the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and amount. The representative will read back the details to confirm. Ask about the fee before you authorize. The bank will give you a confirmation number over the phone; write it down immediately.
In person at a branch works if you prefer to hand over the details directly. Bring a photo ID and the recipient's information. A teller will fill out a wire transfer form, show you the fee, and have you sign. You will receive a receipt with a confirmation number. This route takes longer than online or phone but is useful if you have questions or need help gathering the recipient's details.
Timing: when the money arrives
Domestic wires sent before your bank's cutoff time arrive the same business day. Most banks cut off wire requests between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays. If you send after the cutoff, on a weekend, or on a federal holiday, the wire goes out the next business day and arrives the day after that. Call your bank or check online banking to confirm your specific cutoff time, because it varies by bank.
International wires take longer. Money typically arrives within one to three business days, depending on the receiving country and whether the banks have a direct relationship. Some international wires route through intermediary banks, which adds time. Ask your bank for an estimated arrival date when you send the wire.
The receiving bank processes the wire during its business hours. If the wire arrives outside business hours, the bank deposits it the next morning. Once the money is in the recipient's account, they can use it immediately; the receiving bank does not hold international wires for verification the way it might hold a check.
Wire transfer fees and what affects the cost
Domestic wire transfer fees range from $15 to $50, depending on your bank and whether you send the wire online, by phone, or in person. Online is usually cheapest; phone and branch visits often cost more. Some banks charge less for customers with high account balances or premium accounts. Check your bank's fee schedule or ask a representative before you authorize the transfer.
International wire fees are higher, typically $25 to $75 or more. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the amount sent. A few banks charge both an outgoing fee and a receiving fee. The receiving bank may also deduct a fee from the amount that arrives, so the recipient gets less than you sent. Ask your bank whether the fee comes out of your account or is deducted from the amount the recipient receives, and ask for an estimate of what the recipient will get.
Some banks offer wire transfer discounts or waive fees for certain customers. If you send wires regularly, ask whether your bank has a package or plan that reduces the cost. Credit unions sometimes charge less than large banks, so if you are a member of a credit union, check their rates.
What to do if you send money to the wrong account
Wire transfers cannot be reversed after they leave your bank. If you realize you made a mistake—wrong account number, wrong recipient, or wrong amount—contact your bank immediately, even if it is after hours. Call the number on your debit card and explain the error. Your bank can try to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds, but there is no may provide.
The receiving bank is not required to return the money. If the account belongs to another person or business, that person now has your money. Your bank can file a recall request, which asks the receiving bank to reverse the transaction, but the receiving bank can refuse. If the receiving bank agrees to return the funds, it takes several business days.
If the receiving bank refuses to return the money or cannot locate it, you may need to file a dispute with your bank or pursue the matter through small claims court. This is why confirming the account number with the recipient before you send is critical. If you are sending a large amount to someone you do not know well, consider sending a small test amount first to confirm the account is correct.
Wire transfers versus other ways to send money
Wire transfers are fast and irreversible, which makes them useful for time-sensitive payments like down payments on a house or urgent bills. ACH transfers are slower—they take one to three business days—but cost less or nothing. Use ACH for routine bills and payments where you do not need the money to arrive the same day.
Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Square Cash are free or cheap for small amounts between individuals, but they have daily limits and are not designed for large transfers or business payments. Money orders and cashier's checks are useful if the recipient does not have a bank account, but they take longer to clear and are riskier to mail.
For international transfers, wire transfers are common but expensive. International ACH transfers and services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) are cheaper for large amounts and offer better exchange rates, though they take longer. If you send money internationally often, compare rates and fees across providers before you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
Not reliably. Once the wire leaves your bank, you cannot cancel it. If you realize a mistake immediately, call your bank and ask them to attempt a recall, but the receiving bank can refuse. The sooner you call, the better your chances, but there is no may provide the money will come back.
What if the recipient's bank says they never received the wire?
Contact your bank with the confirmation number from your wire. Your bank can trace the wire and confirm whether it was sent and where it went. If the receiving bank says they did not receive it, your bank can file a tracer request to locate it. This process takes several business days. Keep your confirmation number and the recipient's account details until the wire is confirmed delivered.
Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire?
Yes. Let them know the amount, when you are sending it, and which bank it is coming from. This way they can watch for it and confirm it arrived. If the wire does not show up by the expected date, they can contact their bank to investigate. It also prevents confusion if they receive an unexpected deposit.
Can I wire money from a savings account or only a checking account?
Most banks allow wires from both checking and savings accounts. Some banks limit the number of transfers you can make from a savings account per month under federal rules, but wire transfers are often exempt. Ask your bank whether there are limits on wires from your specific account type.
What happens if I wire money to a closed account?
The receiving bank will reject the wire and send it back to your bank. The money returns to your account within a few business days, but your bank may charge you a fee for the returned wire. Confirm that the recipient's account is active before you send, especially if you have not communicated with them recently.