A sort code is a six-digit number that identifies which bank or building society holds your account
In the UK, a sort code is the routing number for your bank. It tells the banking system which institution to send money to when someone pays you. Every bank, building society, and some credit unions have their own sort codes, and many large banks have multiple codes for different branches or services.
The six digits are split into three pairs: the first two identify the bank itself, the middle two identify the branch or processing centre, and the last two identify the specific service or account type. When you give someone your sort code along with your account number, they have everything needed to send you money via bank transfer.
You will see sort codes on cheques, in your online banking, and on statements. They are also printed on the back of most debit cards, though not always in an obvious place.
Key Takeaways
- A sort code is a six-digit number that identifies your bank or building society and routes money to the correct institution.
- Sort codes are specific to the UK banking system and are different from the IBAN or account number.
- You need your sort code and account number together to receive bank transfers from other people or organisations.
- Your sort code appears on cheques, statements, and in your online banking portal.
- Giving out your sort code is safe — it is public information and cannot be used to take money from your account.
Where to find your sort code
The easiest place to find your sort code is your cheque book. It appears at the bottom left of every cheque, printed in the standard format: XX-XX-XX.
If you do not have cheques, log into your online banking or mobile app. Most banks display your sort code on the account details page, sometimes labelled as "Sort Code" or "Routing Number". You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to confirm it — they will ask you security questions first.
Your statement also shows the sort code, usually near the top or in the account details section. Building societies often print it more prominently than banks do.
Sort code versus account number and IBAN
Your sort code identifies the bank. Your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. Together, they form the basic routing information for UK domestic transfers.
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a longer code used for international transfers. It includes your sort code and account number but adds a country code and check digits. If someone is paying you from outside the UK, they will ask for your IBAN instead of your sort code and account number separately.
You do not need to memorise any of these. When you are asked for payment details, the form will specify which one is needed.
Why banks ask for your sort code
When you set up a standing order, direct debit, or ask someone to send you money, they need your sort code to route the payment correctly. Without it, the payment either fails or goes to the wrong account.
Employers also ask for your sort code when you provide your bank details for salary payments. Landlords need it to process rent payments. Any organisation paying you money will ask for both your sort code and account number.
The sort code is also used internally by banks to process cheques and other paper-based payments, though this is becoming less common as digital transfers take over.
Is it safe to share your sort code?
Yes. Your sort code is not secret information — it is printed on every cheque you write and is publicly available. Someone cannot use your sort code alone to take money from your account or commit fraud.
To move money out of your account, a person would need your account number as well, plus access to your online banking login or authority to set up a direct debit. Giving out your sort code to legitimate organisations is safe.
However, be cautious if someone asks for your sort code along with your full account number, date of birth, and other personal details all at once. Legitimate organisations rarely ask for everything together. If you are unsure whether a request is genuine, hang up and call the organisation directly using a number from their official website or a recent statement.
Sort codes for different types of accounts
Most personal current accounts have one sort code. However, some banks assign different sort codes to savings accounts, business accounts, or accounts held in different names at the same branch.
If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each one may have its own sort code. Check your statements or online banking for each account to confirm. When setting up a payment, always use the sort code that matches the account you want the money to go into.
Building societies often have different sort codes for different regions or branches, even though they are part of the same organisation. This is why it is important to use the sort code from your own account details rather than guessing based on the institution's name.
What happens if you give the wrong sort code
If you provide an incorrect sort code, the payment will either be rejected or sent to a different bank. Most modern transfers are checked by the Confirmation of Payee (CoP) system, which compares the name on the receiving account to the name provided by the sender. If they do not match, the payment is blocked or flagged as a warning.
If a payment does go to the wrong account by mistake, contact your bank immediately. They can trace the payment and request that the receiving bank return the funds. This process usually takes a few days to a week.
To avoid this, double-check the sort code before confirming any payment. Many online banking systems now let you enter the sort code and account number, then display the name of the account holder so you can verify it is correct before sending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use someone else's sort code to send them money?
No. You need the sort code that belongs to the specific account you are sending money to. If someone gives you their sort code and account number, that is the only combination that will work. Using a different sort code will send the money to the wrong place.
Do I need my sort code to receive money?
Yes. The person or organisation sending you money needs your sort code and account number to complete the transfer. Without both pieces of information, they cannot process the payment.
Is the sort code the same as a bank code?
In the UK, sort code and bank code are used interchangeably to mean the same thing — the six-digit number that identifies your bank. Other countries use different terms and different formats for their routing numbers.
What if my bank has closed and merged with another bank?
Your sort code may change when a bank merges or closes. Your old sort code may still work for a transition period, but your bank will notify you of the change and provide a new sort code. Update your details with any organisations that pay you regularly, such as your employer or benefits office.
Can I find someone's bank from their sort code?
Yes, sort codes are public information and you can look up which bank a sort code belongs to using online sort code checkers. However, you cannot find out who owns a specific account or access any account information — the sort code only identifies the institution, not the individual account holder.