How to Move Money Out of Your Checking Account

The basic ways to transfer money from checking

You can move money out of your checking account in four main ways: a wire transfer (fastest but costs money), an ACH transfer (slower but usually free), a debit card or ATM withdrawal (when ready but limited to cash), or a check (slowest but works almost anywhere). Which one you use depends on where the money is going, how fast you need it there, and whether you are moving it to another bank or just getting cash.

The most common choice is an ACH transfer, which moves money between bank accounts electronically over one to three business days at no cost. A wire transfer gets money there the same day or next day but typically costs $15 to $30. A debit card or ATM withdrawal gives you cash when ready but only up to your daily limit, which is often $500 to $1,000. A check takes five to ten business days but works with anyone who accepts checks.

Key Takeaways

ACH transfers are free and work between most U.S. banks, but take one to three business days and require the receiving account number and routing number.
Wire transfers move money the same day or next day but cost $15 to $30 and require you to provide the recipient's full banking details to your bank.
ATM and debit card withdrawals give you cash when ready but are limited by your daily withdrawal limit, usually $500 to $1,000.
Checks are free and work with anyone, but take five to ten business days to clear and require the recipient to deposit or cash them.
Your bank may block transfers to new recipients for security reasons, which means you may need to wait a day or verify the account before the first transfer goes through.

ACH transfers: the free option that takes a few days

An ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) is an electronic move of money between bank accounts. It is free, works between nearly all U.S. banks, and is the most common way people transfer money. The catch is that it takes one to three business days, so it is not for emergencies.

To set up an ACH transfer, you need the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies their bank). You can find the routing number on the recipient's checks, on their bank's website, or by calling their bank. Log into your checking account online or through your bank's app, find the transfer or send money section, enter the recipient's details, choose the amount, and confirm. The money leaves your account right away, but it takes one to three business days to show up in theirs.

Many banks will not let you transfer to a new recipient right away for security reasons. Instead, they may require you to verify the account first — your bank sends a small deposit (usually $0.01 to $0.99) to the account, and you have to tell your bank the amount to prove you control it. This verification takes one to two business days. After that, transfers to that account are when ready.

Wire transfers: fast but with a fee

A wire transfer moves money the same day or next business day and is the fastest way to send money between banks. Most banks charge $15 to $30 per wire, and some charge more. Wire transfers are often used for large amounts, time-sensitive payments, or when you need to send money to someone outside the U.S.

To send a wire, you will need to go into your bank branch or call your bank — most banks do not allow wires online for security reasons. You will provide the recipient's full name, account number, routing number, and the amount. Your bank will confirm the details with you before sending. Once sent, a wire cannot be reversed, so make sure all the information is correct. The money usually arrives the same day if you send it before your bank's cutoff time (often 2 or 3 p.m.), or the next business day if you send it after.

Some banks offer lower wire fees if you are a customer with a certain account type or balance. Ask your bank about their wire fees and whether any discounts explore to you.

ATM and debit card withdrawals: cash in your hand now

If you need cash, you can withdraw money from an ATM or ask for cash back when you use your debit card at a store. This money is yours when ready, but you are limited by your daily withdrawal limit. Most banks set this limit between $500 and $1,000 per day, though some allow more if you ask.

ATM withdrawals are free at your bank's ATMs, but using another bank's ATM usually costs $2 to $3. Debit card cash back is free and works at most stores that accept cards. If you need more than your daily limit, you can withdraw the maximum one day and the rest the next day, or call your bank to ask if they will raise your limit temporarily.

Checks: free and widely accepted, but slow

Writing a check is still a valid way to move money from your checking account. It is free, works with anyone who accepts checks, and you do not need any account information from the recipient — just their name. The downside is that checks take five to ten business days to clear, so the recipient cannot use the money right away.

To write a check, fill in the date, the recipient's name on the "Pay to the Order of" line, the amount in numbers and words, sign it, and give it to the recipient. They deposit or cash it at their bank, and the money comes out of your account once the check clears. If you need to cancel a check before it clears, call your bank and ask them to put a stop payment on it — this usually costs $25 to $35.

What to do if your bank blocks a transfer

Banks sometimes block transfers to new recipients or flag them as suspicious, especially if the amount is large or the recipient is in another country. If this happens, your bank will usually contact you to confirm the transfer is legitimate. Answer their questions honestly and provide any details they ask for.

If your bank declines the transfer, ask them why. Common reasons are that the account number or routing number is wrong, the recipient's bank does not accept ACH transfers, or the transfer violates their fraud rules. If the information is wrong, correct it and try again. If the recipient's bank does not accept ACH transfers, use a wire transfer instead. If your bank has a policy against the transfer, ask whether you can do it in person at a branch or whether you need to use a different method.

Transferring money to accounts at the same bank

If you are moving money between two accounts you own at the same bank, the process is usually when ready. Log into your account, find the transfer section, select the account you want to transfer to, enter the amount, and confirm. The money moves right away, and you do not need account numbers or routing numbers — your bank already knows both accounts are yours.

If you own accounts at the same bank but cannot transfer between them online, call your bank or visit a branch. Some older account types or accounts opened a long time ago may not have online transfer set up by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an ACH transfer actually take?

One to three business days is the standard, but most transfers arrive within one or two days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer sent on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. Your bank's website usually shows an estimated arrival date when you set up the transfer.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

With an ACH transfer, you have until the end of the business day you send it to cancel. After that, the transfer is in the system and cannot be stopped. With a wire transfer, you cannot cancel it once it is sent — the money is gone. With a check, you can ask your bank to put a stop payment on it if it has not cleared yet, but this costs money.

What if I enter the wrong account number?

If the account number does not exist or belongs to someone else, the transfer will bounce back to you in one to three days. If the account number is close to correct but belongs to a real account, the money may go to the wrong person. Always double-check the account number and routing number before you confirm a transfer.

Do I need to tell the other person I am sending them money?

It is a good idea to tell them before you send it, especially if it is a large amount or they are not expecting it. That way they know to look for it and can contact you if it does not arrive. For ACH transfers, give them the estimated arrival date so they know when to expect it.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer?

Most banks set daily or monthly limits on ACH transfers, often $10,000 to $25,000 per day. Wire transfers usually have higher limits. If you need to transfer more than your limit, call your bank and ask if they will raise it temporarily or let you split the transfer across multiple days.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.