The core information ACH needs to move money

An ACH payment requires seven pieces of information to move from one bank account to another: the sender's name and account number, the sender's bank routing number, the receiver's name and account number, the receiver's bank routing number, the payment amount, and the reason for the payment. Without all seven, the payment cannot be processed. The receiving bank uses the routing number to find the right institution, then uses the account number to find the right person inside it.

The reason for payment—called the "description" or "memo"—matters less for the transaction itself than for record-keeping. A utility company might write "Electric bill 12/2024" so you know what the charge was. A payroll department writes "Paycheck 12/20/2024" so you can match it to your pay stub. The description appears on your bank statement, so it should be clear enough that you recognize it months later.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the receiver's full name, account number, and routing number; your own account number and routing number; and the dollar amount to send.
  • The routing number identifies which bank holds the account; the account number identifies which person at that bank receives the money.
  • Your bank's website or app usually has your own routing number and account number listed under account details or settings.
  • If you have the wrong routing number or account number, the payment will be rejected or sent to the wrong account, and you will need to contact your bank to recover it.
  • The payment description is optional for the transaction to process but appears on the receiver's statement, so accuracy helps both sides track what the money was for.

Where to find your own routing and account numbers

Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks, if you have them. It is a nine-digit code specific to your bank and the branch where your account is held. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Routing Number"—most banks display it without requiring you to call. You can also call your bank's customer service line; they will read it to you in under a minute.

Your account number is also on the bottom of your checks, printed after the routing number. Online, it usually appears in the same place as your routing number. Some banks show only the last four digits for security; if you need the full number, the bank's app or website will display it, or you can call and ask. Write both numbers down or screenshot them before you initiate a payment—you will need them ready.

How to get the receiver's information

If you are paying a company—a utility, a loan servicer, a subscription—they will provide their routing and account numbers on an invoice, a bill, or their website. Look for a section called "Payment Information," "How to Pay," or "Bank Details." Some companies list this information only in their online portal; you may need to log in to see it. If you cannot find it, call the company's billing department and ask for their ACH receiving account number and routing number. Write down the exact spelling of the company name as it appears on their account; banks match names character by character.

If you are sending money to a person—a roommate, a family member, a contractor—ask them directly for their account number and routing number. They can find both the same way you did: on a check, in their bank's app, or by calling their bank. Do not guess or use information from a previous transaction; if the account holder has changed banks or closed that account, the number will be wrong. Confirm the name on the account matches the name they give you; if they go by a nickname but their account is under their legal name, use the legal name.

The payment amount and description

The amount must be exact to the cent. If you are sending $500.00, enter it as 500.00, not 500 or 5. Your bank's system will not process a payment with a missing decimal or an unclear amount. Double-check the number before you submit; once an ACH payment is sent, you cannot cancel it the way you can cancel a check. You can only ask the receiver to send the money back, which may take days or may not happen at all.

The description is where you explain what the payment is for. Use language the receiver will recognize: "Rent for January," "Invoice #4521," "Reimbursement for groceries." Avoid vague descriptions like "Payment" or "Transfer"—they do not help either of you track what happened. The description appears on the receiver's bank statement, so clarity matters for their record-keeping too. Keep it under 30 characters if possible; some banks truncate longer descriptions.

Common mistakes that delay or reject payments

Transposing a single digit in the routing number sends your payment to the wrong bank. That bank will eventually reject it and return it to you, but this can take three to five business days. A wrong account number is worse: the receiving bank may accept the payment, deposit it into the wrong account, and the person who received your money by mistake has no obligation to return it. You would then need to contact your bank and the receiving bank to trace the payment and request a reversal.

Mismatched names cause rejections. If the account is registered under "James Michael Chen" but you enter "Jim Chen," some banks will reject the payment; others will accept it anyway. To be safe, use the exact legal name on the account. If you are unsure, ask the account holder to confirm the name as it appears on their bank statement.

Entering the wrong amount is your responsibility to catch. If you mean to send $150 but enter $1,500, your bank will process it as written. You cannot undo it; you can only ask the receiver to return the overpayment. Check the amount three times before you submit.

What happens after you submit the payment

Once you submit an ACH payment, your bank removes the money from your account when ready and holds it. The payment itself travels through the ACH network, which processes in batches. Most payments take one to two business days to reach the receiver's account; some take three. Your bank will show the payment as "pending" or "processing" during this time. The receiver's bank will show it as "pending" on their end too until it settles.

You will receive a confirmation number from your bank. Save this number; if there is ever a question about whether the payment went through, you can give this number to your bank's customer service team and they can trace it through the ACH network. The confirmation appears in your bank statement and in your transaction history online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have the receiver's routing number?

Call the receiver's bank directly and ask for the routing number. You can also ask the receiver to provide it; they can find it in their bank's app or on a check. Do not proceed without it—the payment cannot be processed without the correct routing number.

Can I use a nickname or shortened name for the receiver?

No. Use the legal name exactly as it appears on the bank account. If the account is under "Elizabeth" but the person goes by "Liz," use "Elizabeth." Mismatched names can cause the payment to be rejected or sent to the wrong account.

What if I sent money to the wrong account by mistake?

Contact your bank when ready and explain the error. Your bank can attempt to recall the payment, but only if the receiving bank has not yet released the funds to the account holder. If the money has already been accepted, your only option is to ask the receiver to return it voluntarily or pursue a dispute through your bank.

How long does an ACH payment take?

Most ACH payments take one to two business days. Some take three. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days. Your bank will show the payment as pending until it settles on the receiver's end.

Is there a limit to how much I can send with ACH?

Limits vary by bank and by account type. Some banks allow up to $10,000 per transaction; others allow more or less. Check your bank's website or call to confirm the limit on your account before you attempt a large payment.