The basic steps to send a wire transfer

To wire money from your bank account, you need to contact your bank, provide the recipient's banking details, specify the amount, and authorize the transfer. Most banks let you start a wire through online banking, a phone call, or by visiting a branch in person. The bank then sends your money through the Federal Reserve's wire system (for domestic transfers) or through SWIFT (for international transfers), and the recipient's bank receives it within one to two business days for domestic wires, or three to five days for international ones.

You will need the recipient's full name, their bank account number, and their bank's routing number (for domestic wires) or SWIFT code (for international wires). Some banks also ask for the recipient's address. Have this information ready before you contact your bank, because the wire cannot be sent without it.

Wire transfers are permanent once sent. Your bank cannot reverse them, and the recipient's bank will not return the money unless the recipient agrees. This is why banks ask you to double-check the account number and routing number before confirming—a typo means your money goes to the wrong account, and recovery is difficult.

Key Takeaways

  • You can initiate a wire transfer through your bank's website, by phone, or in person, and you need the recipient's name, account number, and routing number (domestic) or SWIFT code (international).
  • Domestic wires typically arrive within one business day; international wires take three to five business days.
  • Wire transfers cannot be reversed once sent, so verify the recipient's account details before you authorize the transfer.
  • Most banks charge a fee for outgoing wires, ranging from $15 to $50 depending on whether the transfer is domestic or international.
  • If you send money to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately, but recovery is not may provide.

How to wire money through online banking

Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a "Send Money," "Wire Transfer," or "Pay" section. Click on the option to send a wire transfer. The bank will ask you to enter the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and the amount you want to send. Some banks let you save recipient details for future transfers; others require you to enter them each time.

After you enter the information, the bank will show you a summary of the transaction, including any fees. Review this carefully—especially the account number and routing number—before you confirm. Once you click "confirm" or "submit," the wire is authorized and cannot be stopped.

Online wires are usually the fastest way to initiate a transfer, and many banks process them immediately or within a few hours. If you submit the wire before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day), it may arrive at the recipient's bank the same day or the next morning.

Wiring money by phone or in person

Call your bank's customer service number or visit a branch and ask to send a wire transfer. A representative will ask for the same information: recipient's name, account number, routing number, and amount. They will also verify your identity, usually by asking for your account number and a PIN or password.

Phone and in-person wires take longer to process than online wires because the bank must manually enter the information and route it through their system. A phone wire submitted during business hours may arrive the next day, but it is not may provide. In-person wires at a branch are often processed the same day if you arrive before the branch closes.

Some banks charge a higher fee for phone or in-person wires than for online wires. Ask about the fee before you authorize the transfer.

Wire transfer fees and timing

Domestic wire transfer fees typically range from $15 to $30 per outgoing wire. International wire fees are usually higher, between $35 and $50, because the transfer passes through multiple banks and currency conversion may be involved. Some banks charge extra if the wire is urgent or if you need to wire a very large amount.

Domestic wires sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) arrive at the recipient's bank within one business day, often the same day. Wires sent after the cutoff or on weekends and holidays are processed the next business day. International wires take longer because they move through correspondent banks in other countries; expect three to five business days.

The recipient's bank may hold the money for an additional one to two business days before crediting it to the recipient's account, depending on their policies. This is separate from the wire transfer time itself.

What information you need before you wire

For a domestic wire, you need the recipient's full name (exactly as it appears on their account), their bank account number, and their bank's routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank. You can find it on a check, on the bank's website, or by calling the bank directly.

For an international wire, you need the recipient's full name, their bank account number (called an IBAN in Europe and some other regions), and their bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies the bank internationally). You may also need the recipient's address and the bank's address.

Verify this information with the recipient before you submit the wire. A wrong account number or routing number means your money goes to a different account, and the recipient will not receive it. If this happens, contact your bank immediately, but recovery is not may provide.

What happens if you wire money to the wrong account

Contact your bank as soon as you realize the mistake. Your bank can attempt to recall the wire, but only if the recipient's bank has not yet released the funds to the recipient's account. If the money has already been credited, your bank cannot retrieve it without the recipient's consent.

If the wire went to the wrong account at the same bank, the bank may be able to reverse it more easily. If it went to a different bank, the process is slower and less certain. Your bank will file a claim with the recipient's bank and ask them to return the funds, but this can take weeks or months, and there is no may provide of recovery.

To avoid this, always double-check the account number and routing number before you authorize the wire. Ask the recipient to confirm these details in writing (email or text) if you are not certain.

Wire transfers versus other payment methods

Wire transfers are faster and more direct than checks or ACH transfers (which take three to five business days), but they cost more and cannot be reversed. Use a wire transfer when you need money to arrive quickly and you are confident in the recipient's account details. Use ACH or a check when you have more time and want to avoid the wire fee.

For very large amounts or international transfers, a wire is often the only option. Some landlords, real estate agents, and businesses require wire transfers for security deposits or down payments because the money arrives quickly and the transaction is final.

Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App are faster and cheaper for small personal transfers, but they are not suitable for large amounts or business transactions. These apps also have daily and monthly limits on how much you can send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

Not reliably. Once your bank sends the wire, it is out of their control. Your bank can attempt to recall it, but only if the recipient's bank has not yet released the funds. If the money has already been credited to the recipient's account, you cannot cancel it without the recipient's permission. Contact your bank immediately if you need to cancel.

How long does a domestic wire transfer take?

Domestic wires sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) arrive at the recipient's bank within one business day, often the same day. Wires sent after the cutoff or on weekends and holidays are processed the next business day. The recipient's bank may hold the funds for an additional one to two days before crediting the recipient's account.

What is the difference between a routing number and an account number?

A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank itself. An account number is a unique number that identifies your specific account within that bank. You need both to send a wire transfer. The routing number tells the Federal Reserve which bank to send the money to; the account number tells that bank which account to deposit it into.

Do I need the recipient's address to send a wire?

For domestic wires, usually not—just the name, account number, and routing number. For international wires, many banks ask for the recipient's address and the bank's address to help identify the correct account. Check with your bank about their specific requirements before you initiate the transfer.

What should I do if the wire transfer does not arrive?

Contact your bank and provide the wire confirmation number (which you received when you sent the wire). Your bank can trace the wire through the Federal Reserve system and confirm whether it was sent and where it went. If the wire was sent to the wrong bank or account, your bank can file a claim and attempt recovery, but this process takes time and is not may provide to succeed.