The four main ways to move money into another person's bank account

You can transfer money to someone else's bank account through a wire transfer, ACH transfer, peer-to-peer payment app, or by writing a check. Wire transfers move money the fastest—usually within hours—but cost $15 to $50 and cannot be reversed. ACH transfers are free or nearly free, take one to three business days, and work through your bank's online portal or bill pay system. Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App are when ready for small amounts but may charge fees for bank transfers. Checks are free but the slowest option, taking five to ten business days to clear.

The method you choose depends on how fast you need the money to arrive, how much you are sending, whether you know the recipient's bank details, and whether you want the transaction to be reversible. If you are sending money to someone you know well and time is not urgent, ACH is usually the cheapest choice. If you are sending a large sum to a business or need it there today, wire transfer is standard—but verify the account details carefully first, because wire transfers cannot be undone.

Key Takeaways

  • ACH transfers through your bank's bill pay or online portal are free or cost $1 to $3, take one to three business days, and work for most personal transfers.
  • Wire transfers arrive within hours but cost $15 to $50 and cannot be reversed, so confirm the recipient's account number and routing number before sending.
  • Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo and Cash App are when ready for small amounts but charge fees when you transfer money from your bank account rather than an app balance.
  • You will need the recipient's full name, bank name, account number, and routing number for ACH or wire transfers—ask them directly rather than guessing.
  • Checks are free but take five to ten business days, making them the slowest option for transferring money between accounts.

ACH transfers: the free or low-cost option for most transfers

An ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) is a bank-to-bank electronic transfer that moves money through the Federal Reserve's clearing system. Most banks offer ACH transfers free through their online banking portal, bill pay feature, or mobile app. Some banks charge $1 to $3 per outgoing transfer, but many do not charge at all. The transfer takes one to three business days to complete, depending on when you initiate it and your bank's processing schedule.

To send an ACH transfer, log into your bank's online portal or app, select "send money" or "transfer funds," and enter the recipient's name, bank name, account number, and routing number. Your bank will verify the information and show you the expected delivery date before you confirm. Once you submit, the transfer is queued for the next business day processing cycle. You can usually cancel an ACH transfer up to the end of the business day you send it, but not after that.

ACH transfers work best for sending money to people you know, paying bills to businesses, or moving money between your own accounts at different banks. They do not work for international transfers—you will need a wire transfer for that. If the recipient's bank account information is wrong, the transfer may bounce back to you, which can take several days.

Wire transfers: fast but expensive and irreversible

A wire transfer moves money directly from your bank to another bank through the SWIFT network (for international transfers) or the Federal Reserve (for domestic transfers). Domestic wire transfers usually arrive within hours, sometimes the same day if you send before your bank's cutoff time—typically 2 or 3 p.m. International wire transfers take one to three business days. Banks charge $15 to $50 per outgoing wire transfer, and some charge additional fees if the receiving bank is outside the United States.

To send a wire transfer, call your bank or visit a branch in person—most banks do not allow wire transfers through their online portal for security reasons. You will need to provide the recipient's full name, account number, routing number (for domestic transfers), and bank name and address. For international transfers, you will also need the recipient's SWIFT code or IBAN (International Bank Account Number). Your bank will verify all details and ask you to confirm before processing.

Wire transfers cannot be reversed or cancelled once they leave your bank, so verify every detail with the recipient before you send. If the account number is wrong, the money may go to the wrong person and recovery is difficult. Never send a wire transfer to someone you do not know or trust, and be especially cautious if someone is pressuring you to wire money quickly—this is a common fraud pattern.

Peer-to-peer payment apps: when ready for small amounts, but watch the fees

Apps like Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Zelle let you send money to another person's phone number or email address, and the money can arrive when ready or within one to three business days depending on how the recipient receives it. If both people have the app and the recipient accepts the payment into their app balance, the transfer is when ready and free. If the recipient wants the money moved to their bank account, it takes one to three business days and may cost $0.50 to $2.50.

The catch is that peer-to-peer apps charge fees when you transfer money from your bank account to send it. Venmo charges 1% (minimum $0.25, maximum $20) to send money using your bank account, but it is free if you use your Venmo balance. PayPal charges 2.2% plus $0.30 for transfers from your bank. Cash App charges 1.5% for bank transfers. Zelle is free because it connects directly to your bank account without going through a middleman.

These apps work well for splitting rent, paying back a friend, or sending money to someone you text with regularly. They are not ideal for large transfers because the fees add up, and they are not suitable for business payments. Be aware that peer-to-peer transactions are often not reversible—if you send money to the wrong person, you may not be able to get it back.

Checks: free but the slowest method

Writing a check is still a valid way to transfer money to another person's bank account, though it is the slowest option. The recipient deposits the check into their bank, and it takes five to ten business days to clear, depending on the bank and the amount. Checks are free to write and send, and they create a paper record of the transaction.

Checks work well for paying bills, sending money to people who do not use online banking, or when you want a record of payment. They do not work if you need the money to arrive quickly or if the recipient lives far away and mail delivery is slow. If you write a check and then change your mind, you can stop payment through your bank, but this usually costs $25 to $35 and only works if the check has not already been deposited.

What information you need before you send money

Before you initiate any transfer, collect the correct information from the recipient. For ACH and wire transfers, you need: the recipient's full legal name (as it appears on their bank account), their bank name, their account number, and their 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 peer-to-peer apps, you usually only need the recipient's phone number or email address registered with the app. For checks, you need the recipient's name and mailing address. Never guess at account numbers or routing numbers—ask the recipient directly, or ask them to send you a blank check so you can copy the information from the bottom. If you send money to the wrong account, recovery is difficult and may not be possible.

If the recipient is a business, ask them which payment method they prefer and whether they have specific instructions for the transfer. Some businesses require wire transfers for large payments, while others prefer ACH or checks. Getting this right the first time saves time and reduces the risk of the payment being rejected or delayed.

How to know if the transfer went through

After you send a transfer, your bank will show the transaction in your account history with a status like "pending," "processing," or "complete." For ACH transfers, the status changes to "complete" once the receiving bank accepts the money, which usually takes one to three business days. For wire transfers, the status changes to "sent" or "complete" within hours. For peer-to-peer apps, you will see a confirmation in the app and usually receive a notification when the recipient accepts or deposits the money.

If a transfer shows as "failed" or "returned," your bank will send you a notice explaining why—common reasons include an incorrect account number, a closed account, or insufficient funds on the receiving end. If this happens, contact your bank to confirm the details and try again with corrected information. Do not assume the money is lost; your bank will return it to your account within a few business days.

Keep records of all transfers, including confirmation numbers, dates, and amounts. If there is ever a dispute about whether the money arrived, you will need this information to prove you sent it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money to someone at a different bank?

Yes. ACH transfers, wire transfers, and peer-to-peer apps all work across different banks. You just need the recipient's account number and routing number (for ACH or wire) or their phone number or email (for peer-to-peer apps). The receiving bank does not matter—the money will reach their account regardless of which bank they use.

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

A routing number identifies the bank itself—it is the same for all customers of that bank. An account number identifies your specific account within that bank. You need both to send an ACH or wire transfer. The routing number is nine digits; the account number varies in length. Both appear on the bottom left of a check.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

ACH transfers can usually be cancelled up to the end of the business day you send them, but not after. Wire transfers cannot be cancelled once they leave your bank. Peer-to-peer app transfers can sometimes be cancelled if the recipient has not accepted them yet. Check your bank's or app's specific policy before sending if you think you might need to cancel.

Is it safe to give someone my account number and routing number?

Yes, it is safe to share your account number and routing number with someone you trust who needs to send you money. These numbers are printed on every check you write, so they are not secret. However, do not share them with people you do not know or on unsecured websites. If someone asks for your account number and routing number via email or text, verify their identity first.

What should I do if I sent money to the wrong account?

Contact your bank when ready and explain the error. For ACH transfers, your bank may be able to recall the transfer if it has not been accepted yet. For wire transfers, contact the receiving bank and ask them to reverse the transfer, though they are not required to do so. For peer-to-peer apps, contact the app's support team and the recipient. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovery.