What you need before you start

To set up an ACH payment, you need the recipient's bank account number, routing number, and the name of their bank. You also need to know whether the account is checking or savings. That is the minimum. If you are paying a business or a government agency, you may also need their tax ID or a reference number they have given you.

On your end, you need access to your own bank account—either through online banking, a mobile app, or by calling your bank directly. Most banks let you set up ACH payments through their website or app without visiting a branch. Some smaller banks or credit unions may require a phone call or a form, but this is becoming rare.

Before you begin, check whether your bank charges a fee for outgoing ACH payments. Most do not, but some banks charge $1 to $3 per transaction, especially if you are sending to accounts outside their network. This fee usually appears in your account settings or fee schedule, which you can find on your bank's website.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's routing number, account number, account type, and bank name—get these directly from them or from a check if they provide one.
  • Most banks let you set up ACH payments through their website or mobile app in five to ten minutes without leaving home.
  • The first ACH payment to a new recipient often takes one to two business days to process, and some banks hold it for verification before sending.
  • Once you have sent money to an account once, you can save it as a payee and reuse it for future payments without re-entering the details.
  • ACH payments are reversible for up to five business days after you send them, but only if the recipient's bank agrees to return the funds.

Getting the recipient's bank details

The safest way to get a routing number and account number is to ask the recipient directly. If they are a person you know, they can give you the information from the bottom left of one of their checks—the routing number is the first nine digits, the account number follows. If they are a business, their website usually has a "pay us" or "billing" page with this information, or you can call and ask.

Do not guess or use information from an email or text message unless you have confirmed it with the recipient through a separate channel. Routing numbers are public (they identify the bank), but account numbers are sensitive. If you send money to the wrong account by mistake, the bank that receives it may not return it, and you may have no recourse.

If the recipient gives you information verbally, repeat it back to them before you enter it into your bank. A single wrong digit in the account number sends the money to a stranger's account.

Logging into your bank and finding the ACH payment option

Open your bank's website or mobile app and log in with your username and password. Look for a section called "Send Money," "Payments," "Transfer Money," or "Bill Pay." The exact name varies by bank. If you cannot find it, use the search function within the app or website and search for "ACH" or "send money to another bank."

Some banks separate "transfers" (moving money between your own accounts) from "payments" (sending money to someone else). You want the payments or send money option, not transfers. If your bank has a "Bill Pay" service, that is also an ACH system—it works the same way, though it is often used for paying bills rather than sending money to individuals.

If you are using a mobile app, the payment option is usually on the home screen or in a menu marked with three horizontal lines. If you are on a desktop website, it is typically in the main navigation bar at the top or in a sidebar on the left.

Entering the recipient's information and amount

Once you have found the payment section, you will see a form asking for the recipient's details. Enter the routing number, account number, account type (checking or savings), the recipient's name, and their bank name. Some banks ask for the recipient's address as well. Enter the amount you want to send.

Double-check every digit of the routing number and account number before you proceed. A common mistake is transposing two numbers or leaving one out. If the form has a field for a memo or reference, use it to note what the payment is for—this helps both you and the recipient track the transaction later.

Some banks offer a "verify" button at this stage. If yours does, use it. The bank will attempt to match the account number to the name you entered. If the match fails, the bank will warn you before you send the money. This is a safety feature and is worth the extra few seconds.

Choosing the payment date and confirming

You will be asked when you want the payment to arrive. Most banks offer "next business day" or a specific date you choose. If you select next business day and it is Friday at 5 p.m., the payment will likely arrive on Monday. If you select a specific date, the bank will send the payment on that date or the business day before if the date falls on a weekend or holiday.

Some banks also offer "same-day ACH," which sends the payment the same day if you submit it before a cutoff time (usually 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Eastern time). Same-day ACH costs more—typically $15 to $25 per transaction—and is not available from all banks. Use it only if the recipient needs the money urgently.

Review the entire form one more time: recipient name, routing number, account number, amount, and date. Then click "Confirm" or "Send." Your bank will show you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. You will need it if you have questions about the payment later.

What happens after you send the payment

The ACH system does not move money when ready. A standard ACH payment takes one to two business days to arrive. On day one, your bank sends the payment instruction to the Federal Reserve or to a private ACH operator (depending on your bank). On day two, the recipient's bank receives the instruction and credits the account. The recipient sees the money in their account on day two or day three.

If you sent the payment on a Friday after the cutoff time, it will not enter the system until Monday, so it will not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. Holidays delay the process by one day.

Your bank will deduct the money from your account when ready or within one business day, depending on the bank's policy. This happens even if the recipient's bank has not yet received the payment. If the payment fails for any reason (wrong account number, closed account, insufficient funds on the recipient's end), your bank will notify you and return the money to your account within three to five business days.

Saving the recipient for future payments

After the first payment clears, your bank will let you save the recipient as a "payee." This means you do not have to re-enter their routing number and account number the next time you want to send them money. You just select their name from a list and enter the amount.

To save a payee, look for an option like "Save this recipient" or "Add to my payees" on the confirmation screen or in your payment history. Some banks save the payee automatically after the first payment clears. Others require you to do it manually.

Once a payee is saved, you can send them money in seconds. This is especially useful if you send regular payments to the same person or business—rent to a landlord, child support to a co-parent, or invoices to a contractor.

Reversing an ACH payment if you made a mistake

If you sent money to the wrong account or entered the wrong amount, you have a narrow window to reverse it. ACH payments can be reversed for up to five business days after you send them, but only if the recipient's bank agrees. The process is called a "return" or "reversal."

Contact your bank when ready and explain the error. Your bank will file a return request with the recipient's bank. The recipient's bank is not required to agree, but most do if the error is clear. If the recipient has already spent the money or withdrawn it in cash, the recipient's bank may refuse the return. In that case, you will have to contact the recipient directly and ask them to send the money back.

Do not wait. The five-day window is firm. After five business days, the payment is final and cannot be reversed through the ACH system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up a recurring ACH payment so the same amount goes out every month?

Yes. Most banks let you set up recurring payments when you create the first payment. Look for an option like "Make this recurring" or "Schedule repeating payments." You can set it to repeat weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on a custom schedule. The bank will send the payment automatically on the date you choose until you cancel it.

What if the recipient's bank rejects the payment?

The most common reasons are a closed account, a mismatched name, or an account number that does not exist. Your bank will notify you within one to three business days and return the money to your account. You will need to contact the recipient and get the correct information before trying again.

Is there a limit to how much I can send in one ACH payment?

Most banks do not have a per-transaction limit for ACH payments, but some cap recurring payments at $5,000 or $10,000 per month. Check your bank's limits in the payment settings or call customer service. If you need to send more, you can split it into multiple payments or ask your bank to raise your limit.

Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending an ACH payment?

It depends on the situation. If you are paying a bill or sending money to a business, they usually expect it and will match it to an invoice. If you are sending money to a person, it is polite to let them know so they are not surprised when the money appears. Include a note or reference number so they know where it came from.

What if I need to cancel an ACH payment before it arrives?

If the payment has not yet been processed by the recipient's bank, your bank can cancel it. Log into your account, find the pending payment, and look for a "cancel" or "recall" option. If the payment has already been processed, you cannot cancel it—you can only request a return, which the recipient's bank may refuse.