The basic steps to wire money

To wire money to a bank account, you need four pieces of information: the recipient's full name, their bank account number, the bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies the bank), and the bank's name and address. You then contact your own bank—by phone, in person, or through online banking—give them these details plus the amount you want to send, and authorize the transfer. Your bank deducts the money from your account, sends it to the recipient's bank, and the recipient's bank deposits it into their account. The whole process usually takes one to two business days for domestic transfers within the United States.

The cost varies by bank. Some banks charge $15 to $30 per outgoing wire transfer; others charge nothing if you bank with them. International wires cost more—typically $35 to $50—because they move through multiple banks in different countries. Ask your bank what it charges before you authorize the transfer, because the fee comes out of your account and the recipient receives the full amount you specified (unless you tell your bank to deduct the fee from what the recipient gets).

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and their bank's name and address before you can send a wire.
  • Domestic wires arrive in one to two business days; international wires take three to five business days and cost more.
  • Your bank charges a fee for outgoing wires, usually $15 to $30 domestically and $35 to $50 internationally.
  • Once a wire leaves your bank, you cannot cancel it, so verify all details with the recipient before you authorize the transfer.
  • If you receive a wire, your bank deposits it into your account automatically; you do not need to do anything.

Where to find the routing number and account number

The recipient's routing number appears on their bank's website, usually in a section labeled "routing numbers" or "bank information." You can also call their bank directly and ask for the routing number. The account number is printed on the bottom left of their checks, or they can log into their online banking and find it in their account details. Ask the recipient to double-check both numbers with you before you send the wire, because a wrong digit sends your money to the wrong account and recovery is difficult.

If the recipient does not have checks or online banking access, their bank can provide both numbers over the phone. Some banks also list routing numbers on ATM receipts. Do not guess or use a number from the internet without confirming it with the recipient or their bank directly.

How to send a wire through your bank

Call your bank's wire transfer department, visit a branch in person, or log into your online banking portal and look for "send money," "wire transfer," or "transfer funds." Online banking is usually fastest if your bank offers it. You will enter the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and the amount. Your bank will show you the fee and ask you to confirm. Once you authorize it, the wire is sent and cannot be stopped.

If you are wiring money internationally, your bank may ask for additional information: the recipient's address, their bank's SWIFT code (an international bank identifier), and sometimes the purpose of the transfer. This information is required by federal law for amounts over $3,000. Have all of it ready before you start, because the process takes longer if you have to stop and gather details.

What happens after you send the wire

Your bank sends the wire to the Federal Reserve or to a correspondent bank that handles the transfer. The receiving bank then deposits the money into the recipient's account. For domestic transfers, this usually happens the same business day or the next business day. If you send a wire on a Friday after 5 p.m., it may not arrive until Monday or Tuesday, depending on your bank's cutoff time.

Your bank will give you a confirmation number when the wire is sent. Keep this number in case you need to track the transfer or dispute it later. You can call your bank and give them the confirmation number to check the status, though most banks can only tell you whether the wire was sent, not whether it has arrived at the other end.

Why you cannot cancel a wire once it is sent

Wire transfers are designed to be final. Once your bank sends the wire, the money leaves your account when ready and the receiving bank has the funds. Your bank cannot recall it the way it can recall a check. If you send money to the wrong account by mistake, you have to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return it—and they are not required to do so. If the recipient refuses to return it, you may have to pursue the matter through small claims court or with law enforcement, which is slow and expensive.

This is why wire transfers are a common tool for scams. Criminals convince people to wire money for fake emergencies, fake job offers, or fake purchases, and once the wire is sent, the money is gone. Before you wire money to someone you do not know well, verify their identity through a phone call to a number you find independently (not a number they gave you). If something feels rushed or unusual, do not send the wire.

Wire transfer fees and what affects the cost

Domestic outgoing wire fees range from $0 to $30 depending on your bank. Some banks charge nothing for customers who maintain a minimum balance or have a premium account. Others charge a flat fee. A few banks charge based on the amount you send. Call your bank or check your account agreement to find out what you will pay.

International wire fees are higher because the money passes through multiple banks. Expect to pay $35 to $50 for a standard international wire. Some banks charge extra if the wire goes to a country with currency controls or if the recipient's bank charges a fee on their end. You can ask your bank to quote the total cost before you authorize the transfer, and you can choose whether the fee comes out of your account or the recipient's.

Alternatives to wire transfers

If you want to avoid wire transfer fees or do not need the money to arrive when ready, other options exist. ACH transfers (Automated Clearing House) are free or cost $1 to $3 and take three to five business days. Checks cost only the price of postage and take a week or more. Money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram charge a fee but can deliver cash to a recipient in minutes at a physical location. Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App are free for transfers between accounts but may charge a fee if you want the money when ready or if you are sending to a bank account.

Choose based on how fast you need the money to arrive, how much you are sending, and whether the recipient needs cash or can receive it electronically. For amounts under $500 and no time pressure, an ACH transfer or payment app is usually cheaper. For large amounts or international transfers, a wire is often the only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wire money on a weekend or holiday?

You can initiate a wire on a weekend or holiday through online banking or by calling your bank, but the wire will not actually be sent until the next business day. Your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. on business days) determines when same-day wires are processed. Check with your bank about its specific hours.

What if I wire money to the wrong account?

Contact your bank when ready and give them the confirmation number. Your bank can try to recall the wire, but success depends on whether the receiving bank has already released the funds. If the money has been withdrawn, you will need to contact the receiving bank directly and ask them to recover it from the recipient. If they refuse, you may need to pursue legal action.

How do I know if the wire arrived?

The recipient should see the money in their account within one to two business days for domestic transfers. You can call your bank with your confirmation number to confirm the wire was sent, but your bank usually cannot tell you whether it has arrived at the other end. Ask the recipient to check their account and confirm receipt with you directly.

Is it safe to wire money to someone I just met?

Wire transfers are not safe for transactions with people you do not know well, because the money cannot be recovered if you are scammed. Verify the person's identity independently before sending any wire. If someone is pressuring you to wire money quickly or asking you to wire to an unusual account, do not do it.

Can I wire money from a prepaid card or savings account?

Most prepaid cards do not allow outgoing wire transfers. Savings accounts do, but your bank may limit how many transfers you can make per month (federal rules allow up to six per month from savings accounts). Check with your bank about what accounts can send wires and whether there are limits on frequency.