How to Send Money Directly to Someone's Bank Account

The main ways to move money into another person's bank account

You can send money to someone's bank account through a bank transfer, a payment app, or an ACH transfer — each one moves the money differently and takes a different amount of time. A bank transfer (also called a wire transfer) moves money the same day or next business day but usually costs $15 to $30. An ACH transfer takes three to five business days, costs nothing or a few dollars, and works through the clearing house that connects all US banks. A payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App can move money in minutes if both people have accounts, but the receiving person may need to transfer it out to their actual bank account afterward, which takes another day or two.

Which one you use depends on how fast you need the money to arrive, whether you know the person's bank details, and whether you both use the same app. If you need money there today or tomorrow and you're willing to pay for it, a wire transfer is fastest. If you have time and want to avoid fees, ACH is cheapest. If you both have phones and use the same payment app, that's often easiest.

Key Takeaways

Wire transfers move money the same day or next business day but cost $15 to $30 and require the recipient's full bank details.
ACH transfers are free or low-cost, take three to five business days, and work through your bank's online system or bill pay.
Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are when ready between app users but may take a day or two if the recipient needs to move the money to their actual bank account.
You need either the person's bank account and routing number, or their email or phone number if you're using an app or ACH.

Wire transfers: fastest but most expensive

A wire transfer sends money directly from your bank to another bank, and the receiving bank deposits it into the recipient's account the same day or by the next business day. You initiate it at your bank — either in person at a branch, by phone, or through online banking — and you need to provide the recipient's full name, bank name, account number, and routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the receiving bank; you can find it on a check or by asking the recipient.

Wire transfers cost between $15 and $30 depending on your bank, and some banks charge more for international wires. Once the money leaves your account, you cannot cancel it, so make sure you have the right account number before you send. If the account number is wrong, the money may go to the wrong person or bounce back to you after several days.

Wire transfers are useful when you need money to arrive quickly — for a down payment, an urgent bill, or a time-sensitive transaction — and you are willing to pay the fee. They are less useful for sending money to friends or family regularly, because the fees add up.

ACH transfers: cheapest and most common

An ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) moves money through a network that connects every bank in the United States. It takes three to five business days because the money goes through a clearing house that batches transfers and settles them on a schedule. You set it up through your bank's website or app, usually under a section called "Send Money" or "Pay Bills," and you need the recipient's account number and routing number.

ACH transfers are free at most banks, though some charge $1 to $3 for outgoing transfers. The receiving bank does not charge the recipient. Because ACH is slower than a wire, it is the standard way to send money when you are not in a rush — paying a contractor, splitting rent with a roommate, or sending money to family.

You can also set up recurring ACH transfers if you send money to the same person regularly. Some banks call this "scheduled transfers" or "recurring payments." Once you set it up, the money moves on the same day each week or month without you having to enter the details again.

Payment apps: when ready between users, slower to bank accounts

Apps like Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Zelle let you send money to someone using their email address or phone number instead of their bank details. If both people have the app and are set up to receive money, the transfer is when ready — the money appears in the recipient's app account right away. The recipient can then keep the money in the app, spend it using the app's debit card, or transfer it to their bank account.

Transferring money out of a payment app to a bank account usually takes one to three business days, depending on the app and the bank. Some apps offer faster transfers for a fee — for example, Venmo charges $0.25 to $1.75 to move money to a bank account when ready, while a standard transfer is free but takes one to three days. PayPal and Cash App have similar options.

Payment apps are convenient for splitting bills with friends, paying a roommate, or sending money to someone you text regularly, because you do not need their bank details. They are less useful if the recipient does not have the app or does not want to use it, or if they need the money in their actual bank account right away.

What information you need to send money

The information you need depends on which method you use. For a wire transfer or ACH transfer, you need the recipient's full legal name (as it appears on their account), their account number, and their bank's routing number. You can find the routing number on the bottom left of a check, or the recipient can ask their bank. Some banks also let you look up a routing number on their website if you know the bank name and state.

For a payment app, you only need the recipient's email address or phone number — the app handles the bank details on its end. For Zelle, which is built into many banks' apps, you need the recipient's email or phone number, and they must be enrolled in Zelle at their bank.

Double-check the account number and routing number before you send, especially for wire transfers, because you cannot undo the transfer if the number is wrong. If you are unsure, ask the recipient to confirm the details or send you a blank check so you can copy the numbers directly.

How long each method takes

Wire transfers are the fastest: money arrives the same day if you send it before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m.), or by the next business day if you send it after. ACH transfers take three to five business days because they are processed in batches. Payment apps are when ready between app users, but transferring the money out to a bank account takes one to three business days for a standard transfer, or minutes to hours for an when ready transfer (which usually costs a fee).

Weekends and bank holidays slow everything down. If you send an ACH transfer on a Friday evening, it will not start processing until Monday, so it may not arrive until Thursday or Friday of the next week. Wire transfers sent on weekends or holidays also wait until the next business day. Payment apps process transfers on weekends, but the receiving bank may not deposit the money until the next business day.

Fees and costs

Wire transfers cost $15 to $30 per transfer at most banks. Some banks charge less for transfers to accounts at the same bank, and more for international transfers. ACH transfers are free at most banks, though a few charge $1 to $3. Payment apps are free to send money between app users, but charge a fee to transfer money out to a bank account when ready — usually $0.25 to $1.75 depending on the app and the amount.

The receiving person does not pay a fee for any of these methods. The cost is on the sender. If you are sending money regularly, ACH is the cheapest option because it is free and you can set it up to repeat automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I only have the person's name and phone number?

If you have a payment app like Venmo or Cash App that you both use, a phone number is enough — the app finds their account. If you need to use a wire transfer or ACH, you need their account number and routing number. Ask them for a blank check, or ask them to give you those two numbers directly.

Can I send money to someone at a different bank?

Yes. Wire transfers and ACH transfers both work between any two banks in the United States. Payment apps also work across banks because they connect to the banking system on the back end. The routing number tells your bank which bank to send the money to.

What happens if I send money to the wrong account number?

For a wire transfer, the money goes to that account and you cannot get it back without contacting the receiving bank and asking them to reverse it — which they may not do. For ACH, the receiving bank may reject the transfer if the account number does not match the name, and the money returns to you in a few days. Always double-check the account number before you send.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

Wire transfers cannot be cancelled once they leave your bank. ACH transfers can sometimes be cancelled within a few hours of sending, depending on your bank — contact them when ready if you need to stop one. Payment app transfers between app users are when ready and cannot be cancelled, but transfers to a bank account can sometimes be cancelled before they settle, usually within a few hours.

Is it safe to give someone my account number?

It is safe to give someone your account number and routing number so they can send you money — they cannot withdraw from your account with just those two numbers. To withdraw money, someone would need your account number, routing number, and authorization from you. Never give out your online banking password or PIN.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.