A sort code is a six-digit number that identifies which bank or building society holds your account
In the UK, every bank and building society has a sort code. It tells the payment system which institution to send money to. When you give someone your bank details to pay you, you give them three things: your sort code, your account number, and your account holder name. The sort code comes first because the system uses it to route the payment to the right bank before it looks for your specific account.
Sort codes are unique to each bank branch or processing centre, not to individual accounts. If you have two accounts at the same bank, they share the same sort code. The code is written as three pairs of numbers separated by hyphens — for example, 20-17-80. You will see it printed on the bottom left of your cheque book, on your bank statements, and in your online banking portal.
Key Takeaways
- A sort code is a six-digit number that tells the payment system which bank to send money to, and it is required for all UK bank transfers.
- Sort codes are printed on cheques, statements, and in your online banking app, and you can also find your bank's sort code on its website.
- You need both your sort code and account number to receive a payment; giving only one is not enough.
- Sort codes have been in use since the 1960s and remain the standard routing method for UK payments, even though newer systems like Faster Payments and Immediate Payments also use them.
Where to find your sort code
Your sort code appears in several places. The easiest is your cheque book — it is printed at the bottom left of every cheque, in the format XX-XX-XX. If you do not have a cheque book, log into your online banking and look for your account details or payment information section. Most banks display it clearly there.
You can also find it on your bank statements, either printed or digital. If you have lost access to all of these, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on their website. They will confirm your sort code over the phone once they have verified your identity. You do not need to visit a branch.
How sort codes work in a payment
When you send money to someone using their sort code and account number, your bank reads the sort code first. It uses this number to identify the receiving bank and send the payment to the right place. Once the payment arrives at that bank, the receiving bank uses the account number to put the money into the correct account.
This two-step process happens automatically. For a standard bank transfer, the payment usually arrives within one to three working days. Faster Payments (which can arrive within hours) and Immediate Payments (which arrive within seconds) both use the same sort code system — the speed difference comes from how quickly the banks process the instruction, not from a different routing method.
Sort codes versus account numbers
A sort code and an account number are different things and both are required. Your sort code identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. Think of it like a postal address: the sort code is the postcode that directs mail to the right town, and the account number is the house number that directs it to the right building.
If you give someone only your sort code, they cannot send you money — they need the account number too. If you give them only your account number, they cannot send you money either, because they do not know which bank to send it to. Always provide both when you ask someone to pay you.
Sort codes for international payments
If someone outside the UK wants to send you money, they will not use your sort code. Instead, they will use your IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which includes your sort code plus additional information, or a SWIFT code, which identifies your bank internationally. Your bank can provide both of these if you need them.
An IBAN is longer than a sort code — for UK accounts, it starts with GB and is 22 characters long. It contains your sort code within it, but formatted differently. If someone asks for your IBAN to send you money from abroad, ask your bank for it rather than trying to construct it yourself.
What happens if you give the wrong sort code
If you provide an incorrect sort code, the payment may go to the wrong bank or be rejected by the system. If it goes to the wrong bank, that bank will usually send it back to the sender, and the money returns to the sending account within a few working days. The sender will then need to correct the sort code and try again.
If the sort code is close to a real code but not exact, the payment might be held while the system tries to match it. Contact your bank if you are waiting for a payment and suspect the sort code was wrong — they can trace it and may be able to speed up the return. Do not assume the payment is lost; most misdirected payments come back automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my sort code the same as my bank's sort code?
Not always. Your sort code identifies your specific branch or processing centre, not the entire bank. Some banks use different sort codes for different regions or services. Check your own statements or online banking to find your exact sort code rather than using the main bank number.
Can someone access my account if they know my sort code?
No. Your sort code alone cannot be used to withdraw money or access your account. A thief would need your sort code, account number, and usually additional security information like your PIN or online banking password. Sharing your sort code and account number is safe — that is what they are for.
Do building societies have sort codes?
Yes. Building societies use sort codes in exactly the same way as banks. If you have a savings account or mortgage with a building society, you will have a sort code. It works identically to a bank sort code for payments and transfers.
What if my bank has closed and I do not know my sort code?
Contact your new bank or the bank that holds your records. If your old bank has merged with another, the successor bank can look up your historical sort code. You can also contact the UK Payment Systems Regulator if you cannot locate the information — they maintain records of all active sort codes.
Do I need a sort code for online payments or standing orders?
Yes. Whether you are setting up a standing order, a direct debit, or a one-off online transfer, you will need to enter a sort code. The payment system requires it to route the money correctly, regardless of the payment method you choose.