What you need before you wire
To send money by wire into a checking account, you need the recipient's bank routing number, account number, and the name on the account exactly as it appears at the bank. You also need to know the bank's name and city. Without these details, your bank will not process the wire.
Ask the person receiving the money to provide this information directly — do not guess or use an old statement. Banks update routing numbers, and a single wrong digit sends your money to the wrong account. The recipient can find this information on a blank check, by logging into their online banking, or by calling their bank's customer service line.
You will also need to be the account holder at your own bank, or have power of attorney over the account you are sending from. Most banks do not allow someone else to initiate a wire from your account without explicit authorization.
Key Takeaways
- You must have the recipient's routing number, account number, and the exact name on their account before you start — banks will not process a wire without these.
- Wire transfers move money the same business day if you send before your bank's cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time.
- Your bank will charge a fee for outgoing domestic wires, typically between $15 and $30, and you pay this fee even if the wire is rejected.
- Once a wire leaves your bank, it cannot be stopped or reversed — if the account number is wrong, you will need to contact the receiving bank and ask them to recover the funds.
How to initiate a wire at your bank
Call your bank's wire transfer department or log into your online banking portal and select the wire transfer option. Some banks allow you to set up a wire entirely online; others require a phone call. Ask which method your bank prefers, because some banks will not process a wire initiated online without a follow-up phone call to confirm.
Provide the recipient's full name, routing number, account number, the amount, and a brief description of what the money is for (this appears on the recipient's statement). Double-check every number before you confirm — a transposed digit in the routing or account number sends the money to a different account, and recovery is slow and uncertain.
Your bank will tell you the wire fee at this point. Domestic wires typically cost $15 to $30 for an outgoing transfer. International wires cost more, sometimes $40 to $50 or higher, and take longer. Ask whether the fee is deducted from the amount you are sending or charged separately to your account.
When the money arrives
A domestic wire sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time on a business day) reaches the recipient's bank the same day. The receiving bank then deposits it into the account, which usually happens within a few hours but can take until the next business day.
If you send a wire after the cutoff time, on a weekend, or on a federal holiday, it enters the queue and processes on the next business day. The recipient will see the money in their account once their bank has received and posted it — you cannot speed this up by calling.
The recipient will receive a notification from their bank that a wire has been deposited, usually by email or text. They should verify the amount and check their account balance to confirm the money arrived.
What happens if the account number is wrong
If you provide an incorrect routing number or account number, the wire may land in someone else's account, or it may be rejected and returned to you. If it lands in the wrong account, you cannot simply ask your bank to reverse it — the money has already left your bank's control.
Contact your bank immediately and ask them to file a wire recall request with the receiving bank. The receiving bank will attempt to contact the account holder and ask them to return the funds. This process can take days or weeks, and there is no may provide the other account holder will cooperate or that the money will be recovered.
If the wire is rejected outright (for example, if the routing number does not exist), your bank will return it to your account within one to three business days. You will still be charged the wire fee. Ask your bank to waive the fee if the rejection was due to an error on their part, though they are not required to do so.
Wire transfer fees and costs
Domestic wire transfers cost between $15 and $30 per outgoing wire, depending on your bank. Some banks charge less for customers who maintain a high balance or have certain account types. A few banks offer free outgoing wires to customers with premium checking accounts, so check your account terms.
International wires cost significantly more — typically $40 to $50 or higher — and may include additional fees from the receiving bank in the destination country. The recipient may also be charged a fee to receive the wire. Ask your bank for the total cost before you send.
You pay the wire fee even if the wire is rejected or sent to the wrong account. Some banks will refund the fee if the error was theirs, but this is not may provide. Ask before you initiate the wire whether the fee is refundable if something goes wrong.
Alternatives to wiring money
If the wire fee is high or you do not need the money to arrive the same day, consider an ACH transfer instead. ACH transfers are free or cost $1 to $3, but they take three to five business days to clear. Most banks allow you to set up an ACH transfer online without a phone call.
If you need the money to arrive quickly but want to avoid wire fees, ask whether your bank offers a same-day ACH service. Same-day ACH transfers clear within hours rather than days and cost $3 to $10, less than a wire. Not all banks offer this service, and not all receiving banks participate in the same-day network.
For smaller amounts, a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash may be faster and cheaper. These apps transfer money between linked bank accounts in one to three business days for free, or instantly for a small fee. The recipient must have an account with the same app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire after I send it?
Not reliably. Once your bank sends a wire, it is out of their hands. Call your bank immediately and ask them to attempt a recall, but be prepared for the answer to be no. If the receiving bank has already posted the money to the recipient's account, a recall is unlikely to succeed.
What if I send a wire to the wrong person by mistake?
Contact your bank right away and file a wire recall request. Your bank will ask the receiving bank to contact the account holder and request the return of the funds. This can take days or weeks. If the account holder refuses to return the money, you may need to pursue a civil claim or contact law enforcement, depending on the circumstances.
Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire?
Yes. Let them know the amount, the approximate time it will arrive, and ask them to confirm when they receive it. This way, if the money lands in the wrong account, you will find out quickly and can file a recall request before the account holder spends it.
What is the difference between a wire and an ACH transfer?
A wire is faster (same day) but costs $15 to $30 and cannot be reversed. An ACH transfer is slower (three to five days) but is free or nearly free and can be reversed within a short window. Use a wire when speed matters; use ACH when cost matters and you can wait.
Can I wire money to a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. The process is identical — you need the routing number, account number, and account holder's name. The receiving bank will deposit the wire into whichever account number you provide, whether it is checking or savings.