The fastest way depends on which banks you use and how soon you need the money there

Moving money between your own accounts at different banks usually takes one to three business days using a standard transfer, or minutes to hours if you use real-time payment rails. The method you pick depends on speed, whether both banks support it, and whether you're moving money between your own accounts or sending it to someone else. Most people have three or four working options, and the right one is usually the one both banks support.

If you need the money today or tomorrow, real-time transfers (Zelle, FedNow, or your bank's own instant service) are your only choice—but not every bank offers them yet. If you can wait a few days, ACH transfers are free and work everywhere. Wire transfers are fast but cost money and are harder to reverse if something goes wrong. The sections below walk through each method, what it costs, and how long it actually takes.

Key Takeaways

  • ACH transfers are free, work between any two U.S. banks, and take one to three business days; this is the default choice when you're not in a hurry.
  • Real-time transfers through Zelle, FedNow, or your bank's own service move money in minutes but only work if both banks participate in that system.
  • Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but cost $15 to $50 and are nearly impossible to reverse if you send money to the wrong account.
  • You initiate most transfers from your sending bank's website or app by entering the receiving account number and routing number; some banks also accept phone or in-person requests.
  • If a transfer doesn't arrive after the stated timeframe, contact your sending bank first—they can track it and tell you whether it's stuck, rejected, or delayed.

ACH transfers: free, slow, and available everywhere

An ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) is the standard way to move money between banks. It's free, works between any two U.S. banks, and requires only your account number and the receiving bank's routing number. The tradeoff is speed: ACH transfers take one to three business days, and weekends and holidays don't count.

To start an ACH transfer, log into your sending bank's website or app, find the transfer or send money section, and enter the receiving bank's name, the account number, and the routing number. Most banks let you save the receiving account so you don't have to type it in every time. You'll see a confirmation screen showing the amount, the receiving account, and the expected arrival date. Once you confirm, the transfer is submitted to the ACH network, which processes it in batches.

The receiving bank usually posts the money on the second or third business day after you send it. Some banks post faster—a few offer next-business-day ACH—but you can't count on it. If you send a transfer on Friday afternoon, it won't arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest. The sending bank can't speed this up; the timeline is set by the ACH network itself.

Real-time transfers: minutes, but only if both banks support them

Real-time transfers move money in minutes instead of days, but they only work if both your sending bank and receiving bank participate in the same real-time payment system. The three main systems in the U.S. are Zelle (owned by a consortium of large banks), FedNow (run by the Federal Reserve), and RTP (Real-Time Payments, run by The Clearing House). Some banks also offer their own instant transfer services.

Zelle is the most widely available: most large banks and many credit unions support it. If both banks use Zelle, you can send money instantly through the Zelle app or through your bank's app. You'll need the recipient's email address or phone number, not their account number. The money usually arrives within minutes, though some banks may take up to an hour to post it.

FedNow is newer and growing. The Federal Reserve launched it in 2023, and banks are still joining. If your bank supports FedNow, you can send money to any other bank that also supports it, and it will arrive in seconds to minutes. Check your bank's website or app to see whether it offers FedNow transfers.

The catch: if your bank doesn't support the system the receiving bank uses, you can't use real-time transfers. Call your bank or check their website to confirm which real-time systems they participate in before you try to send money this way.

Wire transfers: same-day or next-day, but expensive and risky

A wire transfer moves money the same business day or next business day and works between any two banks. Wire transfers cost between $15 and $50 depending on your bank, and they're nearly impossible to reverse if you send money to the wrong account.

To send a wire, you'll need the receiving bank's name, routing number, the account number, and the account holder's name. Call your bank or visit a branch—most banks don't allow wire transfers through their website or app for security reasons. The bank will confirm all the details, charge the fee, and submit the wire. Same-day wires usually need to be sent before 2 p.m. your bank's time; anything after that goes out the next business day.

The receiving bank posts the money on the same day or next business day. Unlike ACH transfers, wires are final once they're sent. If you send money to the wrong account number, the receiving bank has no obligation to return it, and your bank can't force them to. Some banks will try to recall a wire if you catch the mistake immediately, but success is not may provide. Only use wire transfers when you're certain of the account details and the receiving bank.

How to find your bank's routing number and account number

You'll need the receiving bank's routing number and the receiving account's account number for most transfers. The routing number identifies the bank; the account number identifies the specific account within that bank.

The easiest way to find both is to ask the person who owns the receiving account—they can give you the numbers from their bank statement or their bank's app. If you're transferring to your own account at another bank, log into that bank's website or app and look for the account details or account summary page. The routing number and account number are usually displayed there.

You can also find the routing number on your bank's website by searching "[Bank Name] routing number" or by calling the bank. The account number is on your checks (the rightmost set of numbers) and on your bank statement. Never guess or use a number you're not sure about—sending money to the wrong account is expensive and time-consuming to fix.

What to do if a transfer doesn't arrive on time

If an ACH transfer doesn't arrive within three business days, or a wire transfer doesn't arrive within one business day, contact your sending bank. Have your confirmation number ready—most banks show this on the confirmation screen or send it in an email after you submit the transfer.

The sending bank can look up the transfer in the ACH or wire network and tell you whether it was accepted, rejected, or is still pending. If it was rejected, the bank will tell you why—usually a mismatched account number or routing number—and the money will be returned to your account within a few days. If it's still pending, the bank can ask the receiving bank to prioritize it.

If the transfer was accepted but the receiving bank says they never got it, the sending bank will file a trace request, which asks the ACH or wire network to investigate. This can take several days to several weeks. In the meantime, the money is stuck in limbo. This is rare, but it happens when account numbers are entered incorrectly or when a receiving bank's system is down.

Do not send the money again while you're waiting for the first transfer to be traced. If the first transfer eventually arrives, you'll have sent money twice.

Transfers between accounts at the same bank

If both accounts are at the same bank, you can usually move money instantly through the bank's website or app without entering a routing number. Log in, select the sending account, choose the receiving account from your list, enter the amount, and confirm. The money moves immediately or within minutes.

Same-bank transfers are free and don't require any account numbers or routing numbers—the bank already knows both accounts are yours. This is the fastest and easiest option if you have multiple accounts at the same institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money on weekends or holidays?

You can initiate a transfer any time through your bank's app or website, but the bank won't process it until the next business day. If you send an ACH transfer on Saturday, it won't enter the ACH network until Monday, so it won't arrive until Wednesday or Thursday. Wire transfers sent on weekends or holidays also wait until the next business day to be processed.

What if I enter the wrong account number?

For ACH transfers, the receiving bank will reject it if the account number doesn't match their records, and the money will be returned to you within a few days. For wire transfers, the money goes to whatever account matches that number at that bank, and you may not be able to get it back. Always double-check the account number before you send a wire.

Do I need to tell the receiving bank I'm sending money?

No. The receiving bank will post the money to the account automatically once it arrives. You don't need to notify them in advance. If you're sending money to someone else's account, you may want to tell them so they know to expect it and can confirm it arrived.

Why does my bank show different routing numbers for different transfer types?

Some banks use different routing numbers for ACH transfers, wire transfers, and other payment types. Always use the routing number your bank specifies for the type of transfer you're making. If you're not sure which one to use, call your bank and ask for the routing number for the specific transfer type.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

For ACH transfers, you can usually cancel within a few hours of sending it, before the bank submits it to the ACH network. Log into your bank's app or website and look for a cancel or recall option. Once it enters the ACH network, you can't cancel it—you can only ask the receiving bank to return it. For wire transfers, cancellation is almost never possible once the wire is sent. Call your bank immediately if you need to cancel.