Wire money online from your checking account through your bank's website or app, or by calling your bank's wire transfer department

Most banks let you start a wire transfer from your checking account without leaving home. You log into your online banking portal or mobile app, find the wire transfer or send money section, enter the recipient's bank details and the amount, review the details, and confirm. The money typically leaves your account within hours and arrives at the receiving bank the same day or next business day, depending on timing and the receiving bank's location.

If you do not have online banking set up or prefer to speak with someone, call your bank's wire transfer department directly. Have the recipient's full name, bank name, routing number, and account number ready. Your bank will confirm the details with you before processing, and you will be charged a wire fee—usually between $15 and $50 for domestic wires, more for international ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Online wire transfers through your bank's website or app are the fastest method and let you send money without visiting a branch.
  • You need the recipient's full name, their bank name, their routing number, and their account number to complete a wire.
  • Domestic wires typically arrive the same business day if sent before your bank's cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
  • Wire fees charged by your bank are non-refundable once the transfer is sent, so confirm all details before you submit.
  • International wires take longer, cost more, and require additional information like the recipient's SWIFT code or IBAN.

What information you need to provide

Before you start a wire transfer, gather the recipient's banking details. You will need their full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account, the name of their bank, their routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies their bank), and their account number. If the recipient's bank is outside the United States, you will also need their SWIFT code or IBAN, which are international identifiers for their bank and account.

Ask the recipient directly for this information rather than guessing or using outdated details. A single digit wrong in the routing number or account number can send your money to the wrong account at the right bank, or to the right account at the wrong bank. Once a wire is sent, your bank cannot recall it, so accuracy matters.

Some banks also ask for a reason for the transfer—for example, "rent payment" or "invoice 12345"—but this is optional and does not affect how the wire works.

How to send a wire through online banking

Log into your bank's website or open your bank's mobile app and look for a section labeled "Send Money," "Wire Transfer," "Transfer Funds," or "Pay Someone." The exact name varies by bank. Click or tap that section and select the option to send money to someone outside your bank.

Enter the recipient's information in the fields provided: their full name, their bank name, their routing number, and their account number. Double-check each field against the information the recipient gave you. Many banks show you a preview of the transfer before you confirm—review this carefully to make sure the recipient's name and account number are correct.

Enter the amount you want to send. Your bank will show you the wire fee at this point. Confirm the transfer by entering a one-time code sent to your phone, answering a security question, or using biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition). Once you confirm, the wire is submitted and cannot be stopped.

Timing: when the money leaves and when it arrives

A wire transfer sent before your bank's cutoff time—usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time on a business day—typically leaves your account the same day. If you send it after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday, your bank will process it on the next business day.

The receiving bank usually receives the money the same business day or the next business day, depending on when your bank sent it and the receiving bank's processing schedule. Some banks credit the money immediately; others hold it for one or two business days. The recipient's bank controls when the money appears in their account, not your bank.

International wires take longer. Money sent to a bank outside the United States typically arrives within two to five business days, depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank uses a correspondent bank (an intermediary bank that processes the transfer).

Wire transfer fees and what they cover

Your bank charges a fee for sending a wire transfer. Domestic wire fees typically range from $15 to $50, depending on your bank and account type. Some banks charge less for customers with premium accounts or high balances. International wire fees are usually higher, often $25 to $75 or more, because the transfer passes through additional banks.

The fee is deducted from your checking account and is non-refundable once the wire is sent. If you cancel a wire before it is processed—which you can only do if you call your bank immediately after sending it—your bank may refund the fee, but this is not may provide. Some banks charge a cancellation fee instead.

The fee covers your bank's processing of the transfer. It does not cover any fees the receiving bank may charge the recipient. Some banks charge the recipient a fee to receive a wire transfer, usually $10 to $15. The recipient should check with their bank if they are unsure.

What to do if you make a mistake

If you realize you entered the wrong account number or routing number after sending the wire, call your bank immediately. If the wire has not yet been processed—which is usually within minutes—your bank may be able to cancel it and refund the fee. Once the wire has been sent to the receiving bank, your bank cannot stop it.

If the money went to the wrong account, contact your bank and provide them with the wire confirmation number (a reference number your bank gives you when you send the wire). Your bank can file a trace to try to recover the money, but this process is slow and not always successful. The receiving bank is not required to return the money if the account holder refuses to cooperate.

If you sent money to the wrong person entirely—for example, you used the correct routing number and account number but they belong to someone else—your only option is to contact that person and ask them to return the money. Your bank cannot force them to do so. This is why confirming the recipient's information directly with them before sending is critical.

Alternatives if you cannot wire online

If your bank does not offer online wire transfers or you do not have online banking set up, call your bank's wire transfer department. Have all the recipient's information ready and be prepared to answer security questions to verify your identity. Your bank will process the wire over the phone and charge the same fee as an online wire.

You can also visit a branch in person to send a wire, though this is slower than online or phone transfers. Bring a photo ID and the recipient's banking information. The teller will fill out a wire transfer form with you and process the transfer on the spot.

If you need to send money urgently and your bank's wire transfer cutoff has passed, some banks offer same-day wire transfers for an additional fee, or you can use a money transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, though these typically charge higher fees and may have lower limits on how much you can send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wire money from a checking account that is not in my name?

No. You can only wire money from an account you own or are an authorized user on. If you are an authorized user on someone else's account, you can send a wire from that account, but the wire will come from that account holder's funds. You cannot wire money from an account you have no legal access to.

What happens if the receiving bank does not recognize the routing number I entered?

Your bank will usually catch this during processing and reject the wire before it is sent. You will see an error message asking you to re-enter the routing number. If the error is not caught and the wire is sent to a routing number that does not exist, the receiving bank will reject it and send it back to your bank, which will credit your account. This process takes several business days.

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I have sent it?

Only if you call your bank immediately after sending it and before it has been processed by the receiving bank. This window is usually just a few minutes. Once the receiving bank has received the wire, your bank cannot stop it. If the wire has already arrived at the receiving bank, you will need to contact the recipient and ask them to return the money.

Do I need to tell my bank why I am sending the wire?

No, but your bank may ask. The reason is optional and does not affect how the wire works. Your bank asks for a reason partly for their own record-keeping and partly to detect fraud or money laundering. If you do not want to provide a reason, you can leave that field blank.

Is a wire transfer safer than other payment methods?

A wire transfer is fast and direct, but it is not reversible once sent. If you send money to the wrong person or account, you have no automatic protection like you would with a credit card or bank transfer. Wire fraud is common, so only send wires to people and accounts you trust and have verified directly with the recipient.