The basic steps to wire money from your bank

To wire money from your bank, you log in to your account online or call your bank, provide the recipient's name and bank details, enter the amount, confirm the details, and authorize the transfer. The money leaves your account when ready or within one business day, depending on the time you initiate it. Your bank will give you a confirmation number and a record of where the money went.

The recipient's bank receives the funds and deposits them into the named account. For domestic wires (within the United States), this usually happens the same business day. For international wires, it takes one to five business days depending on the receiving country and bank.

You cannot cancel a wire once it has been sent. This is why banks ask you to confirm the recipient's details before you authorize it. If you send money to the wrong account, you will need to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return it — they are not required to do so.

Key Takeaways

  • Wire transfers leave your account the same day or next business day and reach the recipient's bank within one business day for domestic transfers.
  • You need the recipient's full name, bank name, account number, and routing number (for US transfers) or SWIFT code (for international transfers).
  • Your bank will ask you to confirm all details before you authorize the wire, because you cannot cancel it after it is sent.
  • Wire transfer fees vary by bank, typically ranging from $15 to $50 for domestic wires and $25 to $75 for international wires.

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: the recipient's full name (exactly as it appears on their account), the name of their bank, their account number, and their bank's routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the specific bank branch.

For an international wire, you need the recipient's full name, their bank name and address, their account number, and the bank's SWIFT code (also called a BIC code). A SWIFT code is eight or eleven characters and identifies the bank internationally. You may also need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) depending on the country.

Ask the recipient to provide these details directly rather than looking them up yourself. A small error — a transposed digit in an account number or a wrong routing number — sends the money to the wrong account. The recipient can confirm their own details are correct.

How to initiate a wire through online banking

Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for "Wire Transfer," "Send Money," or "Payments." Click that option. You will see a form asking whether the transfer is domestic or international — select the correct one.

Enter the recipient's information in the fields provided. Most banks have a section for "new recipient" if you have not wired to this person before. Fill in their name, bank details, and account number. Double-check every digit and every letter against what the recipient gave you.

Enter the amount you want to send. Your bank will show you any fees that explore and the total that will leave your account. Review this carefully — the fee comes out of your account in addition to the amount you are sending, unless you choose to have the fee deducted from the transfer amount instead.

Click "Review" or "Confirm." Your bank will display all the details one more time. Read through the recipient's name, account number, bank name, and amount. If anything is wrong, go back and correct it. Once you click "Authorize" or "Send," the wire is submitted and cannot be stopped.

How to initiate a wire by phone or in person

Call your bank's customer service number or visit a branch in person. Tell them you want to send a wire transfer. Have the recipient's information written down in front of you so you can read it accurately to the bank representative.

The representative will ask you the same questions as the online form: recipient's name, bank name, account number, routing number (domestic) or SWIFT code (international), and the amount. They will read the information back to you to confirm it is correct. Listen carefully and correct any mistakes before you authorize.

The representative will tell you the fee and the total amount that will leave your account. They will ask you to confirm you want to proceed. Once you say yes, the wire is authorized. They will give you a confirmation number — write this down and keep it for your records.

Timing: when the money leaves and when it arrives

A wire initiated before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on a business day) leaves your account the same day. A wire initiated after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday leaves the next business day. Your bank will tell you the cutoff time when you initiate the transfer.

For a domestic wire, the receiving bank gets the money the same business day or the next business day. The recipient's account is credited within one to two business days after that, depending on the receiving bank's processing speed. Some banks credit wire transfers when ready; others hold them for a day.

For an international wire, the money travels through one or more intermediary banks before reaching the recipient's bank. This adds one to four business days. A wire sent on a Monday to Europe might arrive Wednesday or Thursday. A wire to Asia or South America might take three to five business days.

Weekends and holidays add time. A wire sent on Friday afternoon may not leave until Monday, and the receiving bank may not process it until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Wire transfer fees and what they cover

Domestic wire transfer fees range from $15 to $50 depending on your bank. Some banks charge less for online wires and more for phone or in-person wires. A few banks offer free domestic wires to customers who meet certain requirements (such as maintaining a minimum balance or having direct deposit).

International wire fees are higher, typically $25 to $75. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the amount sent. A few banks charge both a flat fee and a percentage. Ask your bank what the total fee will be before you authorize the wire.

The fee covers your bank's cost to process the wire and send it through the banking network. It does not cover fees that the receiving bank may charge. Some banks charge the recipient a fee to receive a wire transfer, typically $10 to $20. The recipient should ask their bank whether they charge a receiving fee.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you realize you made a mistake when ready after sending the wire, call your bank right away. If the wire has not yet left your bank's system, they may be able to cancel it. Once it has entered the banking network, it cannot be stopped.

If the money went to the wrong account, contact your bank and ask them to file a recall request with the receiving bank. The receiving bank is not required to return the money, but many will if you can show the transfer was sent in error. This process can take weeks or months.

If the money has not arrived after the expected time, contact your bank and ask them to trace the wire. Provide your confirmation number. Your bank can contact the receiving bank and find out where the money is. Delays sometimes happen in the banking network, and the money usually arrives within a few more days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a wire transfer on a weekend or holiday?

You can initiate a wire on a weekend or holiday through your bank's website or app, but it will not be processed until the next business day. If you call your bank or visit a branch on a weekend or holiday, they will not be open. Plan ahead if you need the money to arrive by a specific date.

What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?

A wire transfer is faster and more expensive. It leaves your account the same day and arrives within one to two business days for domestic transfers. An ACH transfer is slower and cheaper. It takes three to five business days and usually costs nothing or a few dollars. Use a wire when speed matters; use ACH when you have time and want to save money.

Is a wire transfer safe?

A wire transfer is safe from your bank's perspective — the money is encrypted and tracked through the banking system. However, it is not safe from fraud. If someone tricks you into sending them money by wire, you have little recourse. Never wire money to someone you do not know or trust, and never wire money based on a phone call or email asking you to do so.

Can I wire money to a savings account or only a checking account?

You can wire money to either a savings account or a checking account. The recipient just needs to provide their account number and routing number. The receiving bank will deposit the money into whichever account the number belongs to.

What happens if I enter the wrong amount?

If you enter the wrong amount, the receiving bank will deposit that exact amount into the recipient's account. You cannot change it after the wire is sent. If you sent too much, you will need to send another wire for the difference or ask the recipient to return the overpayment. If you sent too little, you will need to send an additional wire for the remaining amount.