What you need before you start
To wire money from your bank account, you need the recipient's full name, their bank account number, and their bank's routing number (or SWIFT code if the money is going overseas). You also need to know how much you're sending and have enough money in your account to cover both the transfer and the wire fee, which typically ranges from $15 to $50 depending on your bank and whether the wire stays domestic or goes international.
Some banks require you to set up the recipient as a payee before you can wire to them, which adds a day or two to the process. Others let you wire to a new recipient when ready. Call your bank or log into your online banking portal to find out which applies to you.
If you're wiring money to someone outside the United States, you'll need their SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies their bank) instead of a routing number. Ask the recipient for this directly—it's not something you can look up reliably on your own.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic wires typically arrive the same business day if sent before your bank's cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
- International wires take three to five business days and require the recipient's SWIFT code, not a routing number.
- You can initiate a wire through your bank's website, mobile app, phone line, or in person at a branch, depending on your bank's options.
- Wire fees are non-refundable once the money leaves your account, so confirm all recipient details before you submit.
- If you make a mistake, contact your bank when ready—they may be able to recall the wire if it hasn't been delivered yet.
Sending a domestic wire through online banking
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for "Wire Transfer," "Send Money," or "Payments" in the main menu. Select the option to send a wire or create a new payee. Enter the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their account number, and their bank's routing number.
Double-check all numbers before you submit. A single digit wrong in the account number or routing number will send your money to the wrong place, and recovering it is difficult and slow. Many banks show you a preview of the transaction before it's final—use this to verify everything one more time.
Enter the amount and any reference information the recipient needs (like an invoice number or your name). Most banks let you add a memo, but the recipient may not see it depending on their bank's system. Submit the wire. Your bank will show you a confirmation number—save this.
Sending a wire by phone or in person
Call your bank's customer service number or visit a branch in person. Have the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number ready. The bank representative will walk you through the same information you'd enter online: amount, recipient details, and any reference information.
In-person wires at a branch sometimes process faster than online wires, but this varies by bank. Phone wires take the same time as online wires. Ask the representative when your bank's cutoff time is for same-day processing—if you call after that time, the wire may not go out until the next business day.
The representative will give you a confirmation number. Write it down and keep it with your bank statement.
International wires and what takes longer
International wires follow the same basic steps as domestic wires, but they require additional information and take longer to arrive. Instead of a routing number, you need the recipient's bank SWIFT code. You may also need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which some countries use instead of or in addition to account numbers.
Ask the recipient for both their SWIFT code and IBAN before you start. Do not guess or look these up online—a wrong SWIFT code will route your money to the wrong bank, and recovery is slow and uncertain.
International wires typically take three to five business days to arrive, depending on the recipient's country and their bank's processing speed. Some banks charge higher fees for international wires—often $35 to $50—and some charge an additional fee on the receiving end that the recipient's bank deducts from what they get. Ask your bank what the total cost will be before you send.
Cutoff times and when the money actually leaves
Most banks process wires submitted before 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on a business day the same day. Wires submitted after the cutoff time, on weekends, or on federal holidays go out the next business day. Your bank's website or app usually shows you the cutoff time when you're setting up the wire.
Once your bank submits the wire, the money leaves your account when ready and the fee is charged. You cannot cancel or reverse a wire after it's been submitted to the Federal Reserve or the international wire system, though your bank can try to recall it if it hasn't been delivered yet. This recall process is slow—it can take days or weeks—and there's no may provide it will work.
What to do if something goes wrong
If you realize you made a mistake in the recipient's account number or routing number, call your bank when ready. The sooner you contact them, the better the chance they can recall the wire before it's delivered. Have your confirmation number ready.
If the wire was delivered to the wrong account, your bank can file a trace to try to recover the money. This involves contacting the receiving bank and asking them to return the funds. The process typically takes one to three weeks, and recovery is not may provide—if the recipient has already spent the money, the receiving bank may not be able to get it back.
If you sent money to someone you believe committed fraud, contact your bank and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Wire fraud is a federal crime, but recovering money through law enforcement is slow and uncertain.
Wire fees and what they cover
Your bank charges a fee to send a wire, typically $15 to $30 for a domestic wire and $35 to $50 for an international wire. Some banks charge different amounts depending on whether you're a premium customer or whether you use online banking versus a branch. A few banks offer wire transfers for free to certain account types, so check your account terms.
The fee is non-refundable once the wire is submitted, even if the recipient never receives it or if you made a mistake. If your bank recalls the wire, they may refund the fee—ask when you request the recall.
Some international wires have a second fee charged by the recipient's bank on the receiving end. This fee is deducted from the amount the recipient gets, not added to what you send. Ask your bank whether the amount you're sending will be reduced by a receiving fee before you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire after I've sent it?
Not directly. Once your bank submits the wire, you cannot stop it. You can ask your bank to attempt a recall, but this only works if the wire hasn't been delivered yet. The recall process takes days or weeks, and there's no may provide it will succeed. The sooner you contact your bank, the better your chances.
What if the recipient's bank rejects the wire?
If the receiving bank rejects the wire because of incorrect account information or other issues, the money returns to your account within three to five business days. Your bank will notify you of the rejection. The wire fee is usually not refunded. You can then correct the information and send the wire again.
Do I need to tell the recipient I'm sending a wire?
Yes. Give the recipient a heads-up so they know to expect the money and can watch for it. If the wire arrives and they don't know about it, they may not notice it in their account right away. Also, some recipients need to know a wire is coming so they can make sure their account is set up to receive it.
How do I know if the wire arrived?
Check your bank account online or call your bank to confirm the money left your account. Ask the recipient to confirm when they receive it on their end. Domestic wires usually arrive the same day; international wires take three to five business days. If the money doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe, contact your bank.
What's the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?
A wire transfer is faster and more expensive—it usually arrives the same day and costs $15 to $50. An ACH transfer is slower and cheaper—it takes one to three business days and often costs nothing or a few dollars. Use a wire when you need money to arrive quickly; use ACH when you have time and want to save the fee.