The simplest way to send money between bank accounts
The most common method is a bank transfer — you log into your bank's website or app, enter the other person's account number and routing number, and the money moves directly from your account to theirs. Most transfers between accounts at different banks take one to three business days. If both accounts are at the same bank, the money often arrives the same day or next business day.
You do not need to visit a branch or call anyone. The transfer happens electronically, and you can do it from your phone or computer at any time. Your bank will ask you to name the account you are sending to (for example, "Mom's savings account") so you can find it easily next time.
Before you start, you will need the other person's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies their bank) and their account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). You can ask them directly, or they can find both on a check, in their bank's app, or by calling their bank.
Key Takeaways
- Bank transfers move money directly from your account to another person's account at any bank, usually in one to three business days.
- You need the other person's routing number and account number, which you can ask them for or find on a check.
- Wire transfers are faster (same day or next day) but cost money and are harder to reverse if something goes wrong.
- Mobile payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App are free and when ready for small amounts, but work best between people you know.
- ACH transfers are the standard method banks use and are free, but take longer than wire transfers.
The difference between ACH transfers and wire transfers
When you do a regular bank transfer, you are using something called an ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House). ACH is the system banks use to move money between accounts. It is free, safe, and takes one to three business days because the money goes through a clearing process that checks everything is correct.
A wire transfer is faster — the money can arrive the same day or next business day — but it costs money (usually $15 to $30 per transfer) and is much harder to reverse if you make a mistake. Wire transfers are best for large amounts or when you need the money urgently. You can request a wire transfer through your bank's website, app, or by visiting a branch or calling.
Most people use ACH transfers for everyday payments because they are free and reliable. Wire transfers are for situations where speed matters enough to pay for it.
How to set up a transfer in your bank's app or website
The exact steps vary by bank, but the process is similar everywhere. Log into your bank's app or website and look for a button or menu item that says "Send Money," "Transfer," or "Pay." Click it, and you will usually see two options: transfer to your own account at another bank, or transfer to someone else's account.
Choose "transfer to someone else" and enter their routing number and account number. Your bank will ask you to give this transfer a name (like "Rent to Landlord" or "Loan to Sarah") so you can recognize it later. Enter the amount, pick the date you want the money to leave your account, and review the details before confirming.
Once you confirm, the transfer is scheduled. Your bank will show you a confirmation number. Keep this number in case you need to ask about the transfer later. The money will leave your account on the date you chose, and the other person's bank will receive it one to three business days later.
Sending money through mobile payment apps
Apps like Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Zelle let you send money to someone using just their phone number or email address — you do not need their routing number or account number. The money is usually when ready or arrives within minutes. These apps are free for basic transfers between people.
The catch is that these apps work best for smaller amounts and for people you know. They are designed for splitting rent with a roommate or paying back a friend, not for large transfers or sending money to strangers. Some apps have daily limits on how much you can send, and you may need to verify your identity by providing a Social Security number or uploading a photo ID.
To use one of these apps, you read it, create an account, link your bank account, and then search for the person by their phone number or email. Enter the amount and hit send. The person you sent money to will see it in their app, and they can transfer it to their bank account if they want.
What information you need before you start
For a bank transfer, you need the other person's routing number and account number. If they have a check from their account, both numbers are printed on it — the routing number is the first nine digits on the bottom left, and the account number is the second set of numbers. If they do not have a check, they can find this information in their bank's app, by logging into their online banking, or by calling their bank.
You should also confirm the person's name as it appears on their account. Banks match the account number to the name, so if the name does not match exactly, the transfer may be rejected or delayed. Ask the person to spell their name as it appears on their account statement.
For mobile payment apps, you only need their phone number or email address. Make sure you have the right number or email — sending money to the wrong person through an app is harder to reverse than a bank transfer.
How long transfers take and what can go wrong
ACH transfers (regular bank transfers) take one to three business days. This means if you send money on a Friday, it might not arrive until Tuesday, because weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days. Your bank will tell you the expected arrival date when you confirm the transfer.
The most common problem is entering the wrong account number or routing number. If the numbers do not match an account at the receiving bank, the transfer will be rejected and the money will come back to you in a few days. If you enter the wrong account number but the routing number is correct, the money might go to the wrong person's account, and you will have to contact that bank to get it back — this can take weeks.
Wire transfers are faster but have the same risk: if you enter the wrong information, the money is gone and very hard to recover. Always double-check the routing number and account number before you confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to an account at a different bank?
Yes. Bank transfers work between any two banks in the United States. You just need the other person's routing number and account number. The transfer takes one to three business days because the money goes through a clearing process.
What if I send money to the wrong account by mistake?
Contact your bank right away and tell them the transfer went to the wrong account. For ACH transfers, your bank can try to reverse it, but this works best if you catch it within a day or two. Wire transfers are much harder to reverse. The receiving bank may be able to contact the account holder and ask them to return the money, but this is not may provide.
Is it safe to give someone my routing number and account number?
Your routing number is public — it is printed on every check and is the same for everyone at your bank. Your account number is more sensitive, but giving it to someone so they can send you money is safe. They can only move money into your account, not out of it. Never give someone your PIN or online banking password.
Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?
For ACH transfers, you can usually cancel within a few hours of sending it, before your bank processes it. Once it is processed, you cannot cancel it. For wire transfers, cancellation is almost impossible once the money leaves your bank. Always review the details carefully before you confirm any transfer.
Why does my bank ask me to name the transfer?
The name you give (like "Rent" or "Loan to Marcus") is just for your records — it helps you remember what the transfer was for when you look at your statement later. It does not affect where the money goes. The routing number and account number determine the destination.