The basic steps to send a wire transfer

To wire money to a bank account, you need the recipient's full name, their bank account number, the bank's routing number, and the bank's name and address. You then contact your own bank—by phone, online, or in person—give them this information, specify the amount, and authorize the transfer. Your bank deducts the money from your account, sends it through the Federal Reserve or a private wire network, and the receiving bank deposits it into the recipient's account.

The whole process typically takes one business day if you send the wire before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on weekdays). If you send it after cutoff or on a weekend, it processes the next business day. The recipient sees the money in their account by the end of that business day, though some banks hold newly received wires for 24 hours before making them available to withdraw.

Wire transfers are irreversible once sent. The money leaves your account when ready, and you cannot cancel or reverse it unless the receiving bank agrees to send it back. This is why banks ask you to confirm the recipient details before processing—a typo in the account number can send your money to the wrong person, and recovery is difficult.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, routing number, and bank name and address before you can send a wire.
  • Wire transfers process through your bank and reach the recipient's bank within one business day if sent before your bank's cutoff time.
  • Once a wire is sent, you cannot cancel it or get the money back unless the receiving bank voluntarily returns it.
  • Your bank charges a fee for sending a wire, typically between $15 and $50 depending on whether the wire goes to a domestic or international account.
  • Verify the recipient's account number and routing number with them directly before sending, because a single digit wrong sends the money to the wrong account.

Where to send a wire from

You can send a wire from any bank where you hold a checking or savings account. Credit unions also offer wire services, and some online banks do as well. You do not need a minimum balance or a specific account type—any account that lets you withdraw money can send a wire.

If you do not have a bank account, some wire transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram let you send money in person at their locations or online, but these charge higher fees and are slower than a bank wire. A few check-cashing stores also offer wire services, though availability varies by location.

The fastest way is usually your own bank's online portal or mobile app if you have already set up the recipient's information. If you have not, calling your bank or visiting a branch in person works but takes longer because staff have to verify your identity and enter the information manually.

Information you must have before you start

The recipient needs to give you their full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account. If their account is under "James Michael Smith" and you send it to "Jim Smith," the receiving bank may reject it or hold it while they verify. Ask them to spell it out.

You also need their account number and the routing number of their bank. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the specific bank branch. You can find it on a check (it is the first nine digits in the bottom left corner), on the bank's website, or by calling the bank directly. Do not guess or use a routing number from a different branch of the same bank—some large banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions.

For domestic wires (within the United States), that is usually all you need. For international wires, you also need the bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies the bank internationally) and sometimes an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which varies by country. Ask the recipient's bank what information is required for their country.

Double-check all of this information with the recipient before you send. Call them or have them text it to you rather than relying on email, which can be intercepted or misread.

How the money moves through the system

When you authorize a wire, your bank when ready deducts the amount from your account and holds it. Your bank then sends a message through either the Federal Reserve's wire system (called Fedwire) or a private network like SWIFT or the Clearing House Interbank Payments System (CHIPS). This message includes your information, the recipient's information, the amount, and any special instructions.

The receiving bank gets this message and deposits the money into the recipient's account. If the receiving bank is in the same Federal Reserve district as your bank, this can happen within hours. If it crosses districts, it usually takes until the end of the next business day. The recipient's bank may then hold the money for 24 hours before letting the recipient withdraw it, depending on their policy.

International wires move more slowly because they pass through multiple banks and currency exchanges. A wire to Canada or Mexico typically takes one to two business days. A wire to Europe, Asia, or other regions can take three to five business days, even though the message itself travels when ready. The delay is usually at the receiving bank's end, where staff verify the information and process the deposit manually.

Fees and what they cover

Domestic wire transfers typically cost between $15 and $30 per wire. International wires cost more—usually $35 to $50—because they involve more banks and currency conversion. Some banks charge extra if the wire is urgent or if you need to send it after hours.

A few banks offer free wires to customers with premium accounts or high balances, but this is uncommon. Online banks sometimes charge less than traditional banks, but the difference is usually only a few dollars. Credit unions often charge less than banks, sometimes $10 to $15 per wire.

The fee covers your bank's processing, the use of the wire network, and the receiving bank's deposit. It does not cover currency conversion if you are sending money internationally—that happens at the exchange rate your bank offers, which may be worse than the market rate. If you are sending money abroad, ask your bank what exchange rate they use before you send.

Sending a wire online versus in person

Most banks let you send a wire through their website or app if you have already set up the recipient's information. You log in, enter the amount, select the recipient from your saved list, and confirm. The wire processes when ready, and you get a confirmation number. This is the fastest way if you are a regular user.

If you have not set up the recipient before, you can usually add them in the app or website and send the wire in the same session. You enter their name, account number, routing number, and bank name. Some banks verify this information automatically; others ask you to confirm it before processing. This usually takes a few minutes.

If you prefer to send a wire in person or over the phone, call your bank or visit a branch. A staff member will ask for the recipient's information, verify your identity, and process the wire. This takes longer—usually 15 to 30 minutes in a branch, or 10 to 15 minutes on the phone—but some people prefer it because they can ask questions and get when ready confirmation.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you realize you made a mistake after sending the wire, contact your bank when ready. If the wire has not yet left your bank's system (usually within the first hour), they may be able to cancel it. Once it has been sent, cancellation is much harder. Your bank can ask the receiving bank to return the money, but the receiving bank is not required to comply, and the process can take weeks.

If the money went to the wrong account because of an error in the account number or routing number, your bank can file a trace. This is a formal request to locate the wire and ask the receiving bank to return it. The receiving bank will investigate, but if the account holder has already withdrawn the money or the account is closed, recovery is unlikely. A trace can take 10 to 30 days.

If you sent money to someone who then refused to return it or disappeared, the wire transfer itself cannot be reversed. You would need to pursue the matter through civil court or law enforcement, depending on whether it was fraud or a dispute. This is why wires are used for trusted transactions—family, known businesses, real estate closings—rather than for payments to strangers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a wire if I do not have enough money in my account?

No. Your bank will reject the wire if your account balance is lower than the amount you are trying to send plus the fee. Some banks let you overdraft for small amounts, but they will not allow an overdraft for a wire transfer. You must have the full amount available in your account before you send.

How long does a wire take if I send it on a Friday?

If you send it before your bank's cutoff time on Friday, it usually processes that day and arrives at the receiving bank by Friday evening or Saturday morning. The receiving bank may not make it available to the recipient until Monday, depending on their policy. If you send it after cutoff on Friday, it processes Monday and arrives Monday or Tuesday.

What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?

A wire transfer is fast (one business day) and irreversible, and costs $15 to $50. An ACH transfer is slower (three to five business days), reversible for up to a few days, and usually free or costs $1 to $3. Use a wire for urgent or large payments; use ACH for routine payments where speed does not matter.

Can I wire money to a savings account, or does it have to be checking?

You can wire to either a savings or checking account. The routing number is the same for both, and the receiving bank deposits the money into whichever account number you provide. Make sure you have the correct account number for the account type the recipient wants the money in.

What happens if I wire money to the wrong bank by mistake?

If you used the correct routing number but the wrong account number, the money goes to someone else's account at that bank. If you used the wrong routing number entirely, the money may go to a different bank. In either case, contact your bank when ready to file a trace. Recovery depends on whether the receiving bank can locate the money and whether the account holder cooperates.