The basic steps to wire money from your bank account

To wire money from your bank, you need four pieces of information: the recipient's name, their bank account number, their bank's routing number, and the amount you want to send. You then contact your bank—by phone, in person, or through online banking—give them those details, and authorize the transfer. Your bank deducts the money from your account when ready and sends it to the recipient's bank, which deposits it into their account within one to two business days for domestic transfers, or three to five business days for international ones.

The process itself takes minutes. The waiting happens on the back end, in the banking system. You will pay a fee—usually between $15 and $50 for a domestic wire, more for international—and that fee comes out of your account at the time you send it.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, and their bank's routing number before you start; missing or wrong information will delay or block the transfer.
  • Most banks charge $15 to $50 per domestic wire transfer, and the fee is deducted from your account when you send the money.
  • Domestic wires typically arrive within one to two business days; international wires take three to five business days or longer depending on the destination country.
  • Once a wire leaves your bank, you cannot cancel it unless the recipient's bank has not yet processed it, which is rare after a few hours.

Where to initiate a wire transfer

Most banks offer three ways to send a wire: online through your bank's website or app, by phone with a customer service representative, or in person at a branch. Online is fastest if your bank's system is straightforward. Phone works if you have questions or need help gathering the recipient's information. In-person is slowest but useful if you are uncomfortable with the other methods or if your bank requires it for large amounts.

Not all banks offer all three options. Some smaller banks or credit unions may require you to call or visit a branch. Check your bank's website or call their customer service number to see which methods are available to you. If you bank with a major institution like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, or Citibank, you will almost certainly have online and phone options.

Information you must have before you start

Gather these details before you contact your bank. The recipient's full name must match exactly what is on their bank account—if they go by a nickname but their account is under their legal name, use the legal name. Their account number is the number of the specific account at their bank where the money should land. Their bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies their bank; it is not the same as their account number.

For domestic transfers, you need the routing number. For international transfers, you also need the recipient's bank's SWIFT code, which is a four- to eleven-character code that identifies the bank globally. If you do not have the routing number or SWIFT code, ask the recipient to provide it, or call their bank directly and give them the bank's name and location. Do not guess or use a number you find online without confirming it with the recipient or their bank—a wrong routing number sends your money to the wrong bank, and recovery is difficult.

Fees and what they cover

Domestic wire transfer fees range from $15 to $50 depending on your bank. Some banks charge less if you are a premium customer or if you maintain a high balance. International wire fees are usually higher—$25 to $75 or more—because the money passes through intermediary banks in other countries, and each one may take a small cut.

The fee covers your bank's processing of the transfer. It does not cover fees that the recipient's bank may charge them to receive the wire. Some banks charge the recipient a small fee ($5 to $15) to deposit an incoming wire; others do not. This is between the recipient and their bank, and you will not know about it unless they tell you. If you are sending money to help someone pay a bill or cover an expense, consider whether the recipient's bank fees will reduce the amount they actually receive.

How long a wire transfer takes

Domestic wires sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on a business day) arrive at the recipient's bank the same day or the next business day. The recipient's bank then deposits the money into their account, which usually happens within one business day. In practice, most domestic wires arrive within one to two business days total.

International wires take longer because the money moves through correspondent banks—intermediary banks in other countries that help route the transfer. A wire to Canada or Mexico usually arrives within two to three business days. A wire to Europe, Asia, or other regions can take three to five business days or longer, depending on the destination country and whether the recipient's bank is in a major financial hub. Weekends and holidays add time because banks do not process wires on those days.

What happens if something goes wrong

If you sent a wire to the wrong account number or routing number, the money went to the wrong bank or the wrong person. Recovery is possible but not may provide. Contact your bank when ready and ask them to attempt a recall. Your bank will contact the receiving bank and ask them to reverse the transfer. If the recipient's bank has not yet deposited the money into an account, they can usually send it back. If the money has already been deposited and withdrawn, the receiving bank cannot recover it, and you will need to pursue the matter through law enforcement or civil court.

If you sent a wire and it has not arrived after the expected timeframe, contact your bank with the wire confirmation number (your bank gives you this when you send the wire). Your bank can trace the wire through the banking system and tell you where it is. Delays are usually caused by incorrect information, a holiday in the destination country, or a backlog at the receiving bank. Your bank can contact the receiving bank to speed things up.

Why you cannot cancel a wire transfer after it is sent

Once your bank sends a wire, the money is out of your control. Your bank can attempt to recall it, but only if the receiving bank has not yet processed it—and that window is usually just a few hours. After the receiving bank deposits the money into the recipient's account, it is gone. This is why wires are used for large, time-sensitive payments: the money moves fast and cannot be reversed like a check or credit card charge can.

Before you send a wire, triple-check the recipient's information. Confirm the account number and routing number directly with the recipient, not with someone claiming to represent them. If you are sending money to pay a bill or settle a debt, make sure you are sending it to the correct entity—scammers often impersonate businesses or landlords and direct people to wire money to fraudulent accounts. If anything feels uncertain, do not send the wire. Use a slower method like a check or ACH transfer, which can be reversed if something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wire money on a weekend or holiday?

You can initiate a wire through your bank's online system any time, but your bank will not process it until the next business day. If you send a wire on Friday evening, it will not leave your bank until Monday. International wires may take even longer if the destination country is observing a holiday.

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

A wire transfer moves money directly from bank to bank and arrives within one to two business days, but cannot be reversed once sent and costs $15 to $50. An ACH transfer moves money through a clearing house, takes three to five business days, can be reversed within a window, and usually costs nothing or a small fee. Use a wire for urgent, large, or one-time payments; use ACH for routine bills or payroll.

Do I need to tell the recipient I am sending a wire?

It is a good idea to contact the recipient before you send the wire so they know to expect it and can watch for it in their account. If the wire does not arrive within the expected timeframe, they can help you investigate. For business payments, the recipient may need the wire confirmation number for their records.

What if the recipient's bank rejects the wire?

A wire is rejected if the account number or routing number is wrong, or if the recipient's bank flags the transaction as suspicious. Your bank will contact you and ask for corrected information, or the money will be returned to your account within a few business days. Contact your bank to find out why it was rejected and what to do next.

Can I wire money internationally from any bank?

Most banks offer international wire transfers, but some smaller banks or credit unions may not. Call your bank to confirm they offer international wires to the country you need. You will need the recipient's SWIFT code in addition to their account number and routing number. International wires cost more and take longer than domestic ones.