A SWIFT code is a standardized set of letters and numbers that identifies a specific bank anywhere in the world

When you send money to someone in another country, your bank needs to know exactly which bank to send it to. A SWIFT code (also called a BIC code) is the address label for that bank. It works like a postal code, but for international banking instead of mail.

SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. The organization created a system so banks in different countries could talk to each other safely and find each other reliably. Every bank that participates in international transfers has a SWIFT code assigned to it.

You will need a SWIFT code when you receive money from abroad or send money out of the country. Your own bank can tell you its SWIFT code in seconds — it is printed on some statements, visible in your online banking portal, or available by calling customer service.

Key Takeaways

  • A SWIFT code identifies a specific bank in a specific country and is required for most international wire transfers.
  • SWIFT codes are eight or eleven characters long and always start with a four-letter bank code.
  • You can find your bank's SWIFT code on your statement, in online banking, or by calling the bank directly.
  • The code tells the sending bank's computer system which bank and which branch should receive the money.

How a SWIFT code is structured

Every SWIFT code follows the same pattern, which makes it straightforward for computers to read. The code is either eight or eleven characters long.

The first four letters are the bank code — they identify which bank it is. For example, CHASE is the code for Chase Bank. The next two letters are the country code, using the same two-letter system as internet domain names (US for United States, GB for United Kingdom, CA for Canada). The next two letters identify the city or region where the bank is located. If the code is eleven characters, the last three letters identify a specific branch.

So if you see CHASUS33NYC, you are looking at Chase Bank (CHASE), in the United States (US), in the New York area (33), at the New York City branch (NYC).

When you need a SWIFT code versus a routing number

The difference comes down to distance. A routing number is used for transfers within the United States only — it tells one U.S. bank where to send money to another U.S. bank. A SWIFT code is used for transfers that cross international borders.

If you are sending money to someone in Canada, Mexico, or Europe, you will need their bank's SWIFT code. If you are sending money to another account within the United States, you only need the routing number. Some banks ask for both when you set up an international transfer, but the SWIFT code is the one that actually routes the money across borders.

Many people get confused because banks sometimes ask for both pieces of information on the same form. The routing number handles the domestic part of the journey; the SWIFT code handles the international part.

Where to find your bank's SWIFT code

Your bank's SWIFT code is public information — the bank publishes it so people outside the bank can send you money. You have several quick ways to find it.

Check your bank statements. Many banks print the SWIFT code on the front or back of statements, sometimes labeled as "SWIFT" or "BIC code." Log into your online banking portal — most banks display it in the account details or settings section. Call your bank's customer service line and ask for the SWIFT code; they can tell you in under a minute. You can also visit your bank's website and search for "SWIFT code" — most banks have a dedicated page listing it.

If your bank has multiple branches, the eight-character code usually works for any branch. The eleven-character version with the branch identifier is more specific but not always necessary. When in doubt, ask the person receiving the money which version their bank prefers.

What happens when you provide a SWIFT code

When you send an international wire transfer, you give your bank the receiving bank's SWIFT code along with the recipient's account number and name. Your bank's computer system uses the SWIFT code to look up the receiving bank in a global directory, confirm it exists, and route the money there.

The SWIFT code does not move the money itself — it is an identifier, like an address. The actual movement of funds happens through a separate system called SWIFT messaging, where banks send encrypted instructions to each other about who is sending what and where it should go.

If you provide an incorrect SWIFT code, the transfer will usually be rejected before it leaves your bank, and you will be asked to correct it. If the code is close but not quite right, the money might be sent to the wrong bank, and you will have to contact both banks to retrieve it — a process that can take weeks.

SWIFT codes for different types of banks

Not all banks use SWIFT codes the same way. Large international banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and HSBC have SWIFT codes and handle international transfers directly. Smaller regional banks and credit unions may not have their own SWIFT codes; instead, they use a larger bank's code as an intermediary.

If your bank is small or local, ask them directly whether they have a SWIFT code or whether they use another bank's code for international transfers. Some credit unions partner with larger banks for this purpose. Online banks and fintech companies that handle international transfers will have SWIFT codes or will tell you which bank's code to use.

Common mistakes when using SWIFT codes

The most common error is confusing a SWIFT code with an IBAN (International Bank Account Number). An IBAN is a longer code used in Europe and some other regions; it includes the country, bank, and account information all in one. A SWIFT code is shorter and identifies only the bank. Many international transfers ask for both, but they serve different purposes.

Another mistake is assuming all eight-character codes work the same as eleven-character codes. They do, but if you are sending to a specific branch and only provide the eight-character code, the money might go to the bank's main office instead. If the recipient's bank requires a specific branch, ask them for the full eleven-character code.

People also sometimes type SWIFT codes incorrectly — these codes are case-insensitive (CHASUS33 and chasus33 are the same), but they must be spelled exactly right. One wrong letter will cause the transfer to fail or be delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC code?

Yes. BIC stands for Bank Identifier Code, and SWIFT code and BIC code refer to the same thing. Banks use both terms interchangeably. When you see either term on a form, you are looking for the same eight or eleven-character code.

Do I need a SWIFT code to receive money from another country?

Yes. The person sending you money will need your bank's SWIFT code to complete the transfer. You should give them your bank's code along with your account number and full name. Your bank can confirm the exact information the sender needs.

What if I do not know my bank's SWIFT code?

Call your bank's customer service line or log into your online account. Most banks can tell you the code in under a minute, or you can find it on their website by searching "SWIFT code." You can also ask the person sending you money — they may have already looked it up.

Can I use the same SWIFT code for all my accounts at one bank?

Yes. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they share the same SWIFT code. The SWIFT code identifies the bank, not the individual account. Your account number is what distinguishes which account receives the money.

Do I pay extra fees because I am using a SWIFT code?

SWIFT codes themselves are free to use — they are just identifiers. However, international wire transfers typically cost more than domestic transfers because banks charge fees for the service. Ask your bank what the fee is before you send money abroad.