The basic process: what you need before you start
To send a wire transfer, you need four pieces of information about the person or business receiving the money: their full name, their bank account number, their bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies the bank), and the bank's physical address. You also need to know how much you're sending and have that amount available in your account.
The routing number is the critical piece most people don't have handy. If you're sending to someone at a major bank like Chase or Bank of America, you can find it on their website or by calling their customer service line. If you're sending internationally, you'll need the recipient's SWIFT code instead of a routing number — that's an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks across borders.
Once you have this information, you can initiate the wire through your bank's website, mobile app, or by calling or visiting a branch in person. Different banks have different interfaces, but the form you fill out will ask for all of these details plus the reason for the transfer (which is optional but sometimes helpful for record-keeping).
Key Takeaways
- You need the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and bank address before you start — missing any of these will delay or reject the transfer.
- Wire transfers typically cost between $15 and $30 per transfer, charged by your bank, and that fee comes out of your account in addition to the amount you're sending.
- Domestic wires (within the United States) usually arrive the same business day if sent before your bank's cutoff time, which is often 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
- Once a wire leaves your bank, you cannot cancel it — the money is gone and the receiving bank controls whether it gets sent back, so verify all details before confirming.
- International wires take longer (usually three to five business days) and may pass through multiple banks, each of which can charge a fee.
How to initiate a wire through your bank's online system
Log into your bank's website or app and look for a "Send Money" or "Wire Transfer" option — the exact label varies by bank. You'll usually find it under a "Transfers" or "Payments" menu. Click through and select "Wire Transfer" if there are other payment options listed.
The system will ask whether this is a domestic wire (to a U.S. bank account) or an international wire (to a bank outside the United States). Choose the correct one, because the form and required information change based on your answer. For domestic wires, you'll enter the routing number; for international wires, you'll enter the SWIFT code instead.
Fill in the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account — middle initials, suffixes, and spelling all matter. Banks match names to accounts, and a mismatch can cause the wire to be rejected or held. Enter the account number, the bank's routing number (or SWIFT code), and the bank's address. Then enter the amount and confirm.
Your bank will show you a summary of the transaction before you submit it. Read through every field — this is your final note to catch an error. Once you confirm, the wire is submitted to your bank's processing system and you cannot undo it.
Sending a wire in person or by phone
If you don't have online banking or prefer to speak with someone, you can initiate a wire at a branch or over the phone. Call your bank's customer service number (on the back of your debit card or on their website) and ask to send a wire transfer. Have all the recipient information ready before you call.
At a branch, bring a photo ID and the recipient's information. A teller will fill out the wire form with you, verify the details, and process the transfer. This method is slower than online — you're waiting for the teller's availability — but some people prefer it because they can ask questions in real time.
Phone wires work the same way: the representative will read back the details to confirm, and you'll authorize the transfer verbally. Some banks require you to visit a branch in person for large wire amounts (often $10,000 or more) for security reasons, so ask about limits when you call.
Timing: when the money actually leaves and arrives
A domestic wire sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time on a business day) will leave your account the same day and arrive at the receiving bank by the end of that business day. The receiving bank then deposits it into the recipient's account — sometimes when ready, sometimes the next morning, depending on their internal processes.
If you send a wire after the cutoff time, on a weekend, or on a holiday, it enters the queue for the next business day. So a wire sent at 4 p.m. on Friday won't leave your bank until Monday, and won't arrive at the receiving bank until Monday evening or Tuesday morning.
International wires take longer because they move through multiple banks and often cross time zones. A wire sent on a Monday morning might not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday. Some banks also hold international wires for a day or two for compliance checks, which adds to the timeline.
Once the wire leaves your bank, you have no control over it. If it's sent to the wrong account, the receiving bank decides whether to return it — they're not required to. This is why verifying the account number and routing number before you send is essential.
Fees and what they cover
Most banks charge between $15 and $30 for a domestic wire transfer. Some banks charge less for online wires and more for phone or in-person wires. A few banks offer free wires to customers with premium accounts or high balances, so check your account terms.
International wires cost more — typically $35 to $50 — and you may also pay a currency conversion fee if you're sending money in a different currency. The receiving bank may charge a fee on their end as well, which comes out of the amount the recipient receives. Ask your bank whether their fee is included in the amount you're sending or added on top.
Some banks also charge a fee to receive a wire transfer, though this is less common. The recipient's bank controls this, not yours, so you can't predict it in advance.
What information you need for different types of wires
| Wire Type | Required Information | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (U.S. to U.S.) | Recipient name, account number, routing number, bank address | Same business day if sent before cutoff |
| International | Recipient name, account number, SWIFT code, bank address, country | Three to five business days |
| Wire to another account you own | Account number and routing number (name not always required) | Same business day |
Common mistakes that delay or reject wires
The most common error is a typo in the account number or routing number. A single wrong digit sends the wire to the wrong bank or the wrong account, and the receiving bank may reject it or hold it while they investigate. This can take several days to resolve.
Mismatched names are another frequent problem. If the account is registered under "Robert Smith" but you enter "Bob Smith," the receiving bank's system may flag it as a mismatch and delay the deposit. Use the exact legal name on the account.
Sending to the wrong routing number is less common but harder to fix. If you send to the routing number of a branch instead of the main bank, or to an old routing number after a bank merger, the wire may be rejected or rerouted, adding days to the process.
International wires sometimes fail because the SWIFT code is wrong or incomplete. Double-check the code with the recipient or their bank's website before you send.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
Not reliably. Once your bank sends the wire, it's out of their hands. You can ask your bank to attempt a recall, but the receiving bank is not required to honor it. If the money has already been deposited into the recipient's account, the receiving bank cannot force them to return it. Act quickly — call your bank when ready if you need to cancel, but expect that the money may already be gone.
What happens if I send a wire to the wrong account number?
The wire goes to the account number you provided, regardless of whose account it is. The receiving bank deposits it there. If you sent it to the wrong person's account, you'll need to contact that person and ask them to return the money — the bank cannot force them to. This is why verifying the account number with the recipient before sending is critical.
Do I need to tell the recipient I'm sending a wire?
It's a good idea. Let them know the amount, the date you're sending it, and approximately when they should expect it. This way, if the wire doesn't arrive on time, they can alert their bank to look for it. It also prevents confusion if they're expecting money from multiple sources.
Why does my bank ask what the wire is for?
Banks are required by law to ask the purpose of transfers over a certain amount as part of anti-money-laundering compliance. The answer doesn't affect whether the wire goes through — it's for record-keeping. Common answers are "payment for services," "loan repayment," or "personal transfer." Be honest but you don't need to provide excessive detail.
Is a wire transfer safer than other payment methods?
A wire is fast and direct, but it's not reversible, which makes it riskier if you send it to the wrong place. For large amounts to someone you don't know well, consider asking for additional verification (like a phone call from the recipient's bank) before sending. For payments to established businesses, wires are generally safe because the recipient's identity is tied to the account number and routing number.