What you need before you start

To send a wire transfer, you need the recipient's full name, their bank account number, and their bank's routing number. If the money is going to another country, you will also need the bank's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies banks internationally) and sometimes an IBAN (International Bank Account Number). Ask the person receiving the money for these details in writing — even one digit wrong will send the money to the wrong account or cause the transfer to fail.

You will also need to know how much you want to send and have sufficient funds in your account to cover both the transfer amount and the wire fee. Domestic wire fees typically range from $15 to $30 per transfer, depending on your bank. International wires cost more — usually $25 to $50 — because they move through multiple banks and currency exchanges.

Have your bank account login information ready. Most banks now allow you to initiate wires through their website or mobile app, though some still require you to call or visit a branch in person, especially for large amounts or international transfers.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, and their bank's routing number (or SWIFT code for international transfers) before you start.
  • Domestic wires usually arrive within one business day; international wires take three to five business days depending on the receiving country.
  • Once a wire leaves your bank, it cannot be stopped or reversed unless the receiving bank agrees to send it back.
  • Wire transfers are not protected by the same fraud safeguards as debit card or credit card transactions, so verify all recipient details before confirming.

Sending a domestic wire through your bank's website or app

Log into your bank's online banking portal or mobile app and look for a section labeled "Send Money," "Transfer," "Wire Transfer," or "Pay." The exact name varies by bank. Select the option for a wire transfer (not an ACH transfer, which is slower and cheaper). You will be asked whether this is a domestic or international wire.

Enter the recipient's information exactly as it appears on their bank account. This includes their full legal name — if their account is under "Robert Smith" but you enter "Bob Smith," the receiving bank may reject the transfer or hold it for verification. Paste the account number and routing number directly from the information they gave you rather than typing it, to avoid transcription errors.

Enter the amount you want to send. Your bank will show you the fee and the total that will leave your account. Review this total carefully — the fee is in addition to the transfer amount. Confirm the transfer. Most banks will send you a confirmation number when ready; save this number in case you need to track the wire later.

Sending a wire by phone or in person

If your bank does not offer online wires or if you are sending a large amount, call your bank's wire transfer department or visit a branch. Have the recipient's information written down in front of you before you call. The bank representative will ask you to read back the recipient's name, account number, and routing number to confirm accuracy.

Some banks require you to visit in person for wires over a certain amount (often $10,000 or more) or for international transfers. This is partly a fraud prevention measure and partly a regulatory requirement. Bring a photo ID and the recipient's banking details. The bank will create a wire request form for you to sign.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number and the expected delivery date before you hang up or leave the branch. Write down the confirmation number and the date and time you initiated the wire.

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 the same day or the next business day. If you send a wire after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday, it will not begin processing until the next business day. The receiving bank then has up to one business day to post the funds to the recipient's account, though most post within hours.

International wires take longer because they pass through multiple banks and currency conversion systems. A wire sent on a Monday morning might not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the receiving country and whether that country observes the same business days. Some countries have additional processing delays on their end.

If a wire does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact your bank with your confirmation number. The bank can trace the wire through the banking system and tell you where it is. Do not assume the money is lost — delays are common, especially for international transfers.

What happens if you make a mistake

If you realize you entered the wrong account number or routing number after you have confirmed the transfer, contact your bank when ready. If the wire has not yet left your bank (usually within minutes of confirmation), they may be able to cancel it. Once the wire has been sent, your bank cannot reverse it unilaterally — they can only ask the receiving bank to return the funds.

The receiving bank is not required to send the money back. If the account number belongs to another customer at that bank, the funds may be posted to their account. If the account does not exist, the receiving bank will typically return the wire after a holding period, but this can take weeks. This is why verifying all details before confirming is critical.

If you sent money to the wrong person intentionally (for example, you were scammed and sent a wire to a fraudster), contact your bank and file a fraud report. Your bank will attempt to recover the funds, but success is not may provide. Wire transfers are not covered by the same fraud protections as credit cards or debit cards, so prevention is your only reliable protection.

Wire transfers versus other ways to send money

A wire transfer is faster and more direct than an ACH transfer (which takes three to five business days) but costs more. ACH transfers are free or cost $1 to $3 and work well for routine payments like rent or bills where timing is not urgent. Wire transfers are better when you need money to arrive quickly or when you are sending a large amount.

Money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram are an option if the recipient does not have a bank account, but they charge higher fees (often 5 to 10 percent of the transfer amount) and are commonly used in scams. If someone is asking you to send money via Western Union or a similar service, pause and verify their identity through another channel before proceeding.

Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App are free or low-cost for small transfers between individuals, but they have daily limits and are not designed for large amounts or business payments. For business-to-business transfers or amounts over a few thousand dollars, a wire transfer through your bank is the standard method.

Security steps to take before sending a wire

Verify the recipient's banking details through a method other than email or text. If someone emails you a wire request, call them back at a phone number you know is correct (not one they provided in the email) and confirm the details verbally. Scammers often intercept emails and insert fake banking information.

If you are sending money to a business, call their main phone number (from their official website, not from an email) and confirm the wire details with someone in their accounting or finance department. Do not rely on instructions in an email, even if the email appears to come from someone you know.

Double-check the recipient's name spelling and the account number digit by digit. Read the numbers aloud to yourself or have someone else read them back to you. A single transposed digit will send the money to the wrong account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

Only if you contact your bank within minutes of sending it, before the wire leaves their system. Once it has been sent, your bank can ask the receiving bank to return it, but the receiving bank is not required to comply. If the receiving bank has already posted the funds to an account, recovery is difficult and may take weeks or longer.

What is the difference between a routing number and a SWIFT code?

A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies a specific bank branch within the United States. A SWIFT code is an eight or eleven-character code used for international transfers to identify banks worldwide. For domestic U.S. wires, you need only the routing number. For international wires, you need the SWIFT code and sometimes an IBAN.

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

Yes. Let them know the amount, the date you are sending it, and your confirmation number. This way they can watch for the deposit and contact their bank if it does not arrive on time. It also prevents confusion if they are expecting the money and do not see it when ready.

What if the receiving bank says they never got the wire?

Contact your bank with your confirmation number and ask them to trace the wire. Your bank can follow it through the banking system and determine whether it was sent, received, or lost in transit. If your bank sent it but the receiving bank did not receive it, your bank is responsible for investigating and recovering the funds.

Are wire transfers safe?

Wire transfers are find in the sense that the banking system is regulated and monitored. However, they offer no protection if you send money to the wrong person or if you are scammed into sending money to a fraudster. Unlike credit card transactions, wire transfers cannot be disputed or reversed once they leave your bank. Verify all details and the recipient's identity before you confirm any wire.