What you need before you start

A wire transfer moves money from your bank account to someone else's bank account, usually within one business day. Before you contact your bank, gather the information about where the money is going. You will need the recipient's full name, their bank account number, and their bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies the bank).

If the money is going to another U.S. bank, that is all you need. If it is going to a bank outside the United States, you will also need the recipient's bank's SWIFT code (an international identifier, usually eight letters) and possibly their IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which varies by country. Ask the recipient or their bank directly for these details — getting them wrong means the money goes to the wrong place and takes weeks to recover.

You will also need to know how much you are sending. Wire transfer fees vary by bank, usually between $15 and $50 for domestic transfers and $35 to $75 for international ones. Some banks charge the sender; some charge the recipient; some split the cost. Check your bank's fee schedule before you start, or ask the customer service representative when you initiate the transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's name, account number, and their bank's routing number (or SWIFT code for international transfers) before you can send a wire.
  • Wire transfers typically arrive within one business day for domestic transfers and two to five business days for international ones.
  • You can initiate a wire through your bank's website, mobile app, phone line, or by visiting a branch in person.
  • Once a wire leaves your bank, you cannot cancel it, so double-check all recipient details before confirming.
  • Wire transfer fees range from $15 to $75 depending on whether the transfer is domestic or international and which bank you use.

Sending a wire through your bank's website or app

Most banks let you send a wire transfer online without visiting a branch. Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a link labeled "Send Money," "Wire Transfer," "Transfer Funds," or "Pay Someone." The exact wording varies by bank.

Click that link and select "wire transfer" if other transfer types appear (you may see options like "transfer between my accounts" or "send to someone else"). The system will ask you to enter the recipient's information: their name, bank name, account number, and routing number. Some banks also ask for a reason for the transfer (for example, "rent payment" or "loan repayment") — this is for your records and the recipient's bank's records, not a restriction on what you can send money for.

Review all the information on the confirmation screen carefully. Check the recipient's name letter by letter, the account number, and the routing number. A single digit wrong sends the money to the wrong account. Once you confirm, the transfer is locked in — you cannot undo it. If you spot an error after confirming, contact your bank when ready, but know that stopping a wire is difficult and not always possible.

Sending a wire by phone or in person

If you prefer not to use the website or app, you can call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch. A representative will ask for the same information: recipient name, account number, routing number, and the amount. They will read the details back to you to confirm before processing the transfer.

Sending a wire in person at a branch can be useful if you are uncomfortable with online banking or if you want to hand over cash and have the bank convert it to a wire. Bring a photo ID and the recipient's banking information. The teller will fill out a wire transfer form (sometimes called a "wire request form"), show it to you, and ask you to sign it. Keep a copy for your records.

Phone and in-person wires take the same amount of time as online wires — usually one business day for domestic transfers — but some banks charge a higher fee for phone or branch wires than for online wires. Ask about the fee before you proceed.

How long a wire transfer takes

A domestic wire transfer (money staying within the United States) usually arrives the same business day if you send it before your bank's cutoff time, which is often 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. If you send it after the cutoff, it processes the next business day. Weekends and bank holidays add extra days.

An international wire transfer takes longer because it passes through multiple banks in different countries. Most international wires arrive within two to five business days, though some take longer depending on the destination country and the banks involved. The recipient's bank may also hold the money for a day or two while they verify it.

Once your bank confirms the wire has been sent, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number — if the recipient says they never received the money, you will need it to trace the transfer. Your bank can look up the wire using this number and tell you whether it arrived at the recipient's bank.

What happens if something goes wrong

If you sent the wire to the wrong account number or the wrong bank, the money may land in someone else's account. Contact your bank when ready. They can try to recall the wire, but this only works if the receiving bank has not released the funds to the recipient. If the money has already been withdrawn, recovery is slow and not may provide.

If the recipient says they never received the money, ask them to check with their bank. Sometimes a wire arrives but is held for verification or appears under a different name than expected. If their bank confirms they never received it, give your bank the confirmation number from your transfer. Your bank will trace the wire through the banking system to find out where it stopped.

If you sent money to a scammer or someone you no longer trust, contact your bank and the police, but understand that wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once the recipient's bank has released the funds. This is why wire transfers are popular for fraud — the money is gone quickly and hard to recover.

Limits on how much you can send

Most banks set a daily or monthly limit on how much you can wire transfer. These limits vary widely — some banks allow $10,000 per day, others allow $50,000 or more. If you are sending a large amount, check your bank's limits before you try to send the wire.

If you need to send more than your limit allows, you have a few options. You can contact your bank and ask them to raise your limit temporarily — they may do this if you have been a customer for a while and have a good account history. You can also split the transfer into multiple wires over several days. Or you can visit a branch in person and ask a representative to process a larger wire; some banks allow higher amounts for in-person transfers.

Banks set these limits partly for security (to catch fraud early) and partly for regulatory reasons. If you are sending a very large amount, your bank may also ask you questions about where the money is coming from or where it is going. This is normal and required by law.

Alternatives to wire transfers

Wire transfers are fast and reliable, but they are not the only way to send money between banks. An ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) is slower but cheaper — it usually takes three to five business days and costs nothing or a small fee. ACH works well if you are not in a hurry.

A cashier's check is a check issued by the bank itself, may provide by the bank's funds. It takes longer to clear (usually three to five business days) but is safer than a personal check because the recipient knows the bank has already verified the funds. You can get a cashier's check at any branch.

If you are sending money to someone you know well and trust, a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash may work. These are fast and free for small amounts, but they have daily limits and are meant for personal transfers, not large business payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

Cancellation is very difficult once a wire leaves your bank. Contact your bank when ready if you need to stop a transfer, but be prepared for the answer to be no. If the receiving bank has not yet released the funds, there is a small chance of stopping it, but this is rare. This is why checking all details before confirming is so important.

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

A wire transfer is fast (usually one business day) and costs $15 to $75. An ACH transfer is slower (three to five business days) and costs nothing or a small fee. Wire transfers are better for urgent or large payments; ACH is better when you have time and want to save money.

Do I need to tell my bank I am sending a wire transfer?

No, you do not need permission. You can send a wire transfer anytime through your bank's website, app, phone line, or branch. Your bank may ask you questions about large transfers for fraud prevention or legal reasons, but this happens after you initiate the transfer, not before.

What if the recipient's bank rejects the wire transfer?

This is rare but can happen if the account number or routing number is wrong, or if the receiving bank flags the transfer as suspicious. If this happens, the money returns to your account within a few business days, and your bank will contact you to explain why. You can then correct the information and try again.

How do I know if the wire transfer arrived?

Ask the recipient to check their bank account. You can also contact your bank with your confirmation number and ask them to trace the wire. Your bank can tell you whether it arrived at the receiving bank and when.