The simplest way to send money between bank accounts

The most common way to send money from your bank account to another person's bank account is called a bank transfer or wire transfer. You log into your bank's website or app, enter the other person's account number and routing number, choose an amount, and the money moves from your account to theirs. Most transfers arrive within one to three business days, though some arrive the same day.

You do not need to visit a branch or call anyone. You can do it from your phone or computer at any time. The other person does not need to be a customer of your bank — the money can go to any bank in the United States.

Before you send money, you will need three pieces of information about the person receiving it: their full name as it appears on their account, their account number, and their bank's routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies their bank. You can ask the person for this information, or they can find it on a check, on their bank's website, or by calling their bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank transfers move money between accounts at different banks using the recipient's account number and routing number, and usually take one to three business days.
  • Wire transfers are faster (often same-day) but cost more and are harder to reverse if you make a mistake, so use them only when speed matters.
  • ACH transfers are the slowest option but cost nothing and are the safest choice for sending money to someone you trust.
  • Always double-check the account number and routing number before you send, because mistakes can send money to the wrong person.
  • Some banks let you send money through apps like Venmo or PayPal instead, but those services charge fees and work differently than direct bank transfers.

The difference between ACH transfers, wire transfers, and other methods

When you send money between bank accounts, your bank uses one of three main systems. The most common is called an ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House). ACH transfers are free or very cheap, but they take one to three business days because the money goes through a clearing house that processes thousands of transfers at once. If you are paying a bill or sending money to someone you know well, ACH is usually the right choice.

A wire transfer is faster — often same-day or next-day — but it costs money (usually $15 to $30) and is much harder to reverse if you send it to the wrong account by mistake. Wire transfers go directly from bank to bank without going through a clearing house. Use a wire transfer only when the money needs to arrive quickly and you are certain the account number is correct.

Some banks also offer same-day ACH, which is an ACH transfer that arrives the same day instead of taking one to three days. It costs more than regular ACH but less than a wire transfer. Check with your bank to see if this option is available.

Outside of bank transfers, you can also send money through apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash. These services are convenient for sending money to friends, but they charge fees, work differently than bank transfers, and may have limits on how much you can send at once.

How to send a bank transfer through your bank's website or app

Most banks let you send money through their website or mobile app. The steps are similar at most banks, though the exact buttons and screens will look different depending on which bank you use.

First, log into your bank's website or open the mobile app and look for a button or menu item that says "Send Money," "Transfer Money," "Pay Someone," or "External Transfer." Click or tap it. Your bank will ask you whether you want to send money to someone new or to someone you have sent money to before. If this is the first time you are sending to this person, choose "New Recipient" or "Add Recipient."

Enter the recipient's full name, account number, and routing number. Double-check these details — if you enter the wrong account number, the money will go to the wrong person, and it can be very hard to get it back. Your bank may ask for the recipient's address or phone number as well.

Choose the amount you want to send and select the transfer type. If your bank offers ACH and wire transfer options, ACH is cheaper and fine for most situations. Wire transfer is only necessary if the money needs to arrive the same day. Review the details one more time, then confirm the transfer. Your bank will show you a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot in case you need to reference it later.

What information you need before you send money

Before you start a transfer, gather the following information about the person receiving the money:

  • Their full name, exactly as it appears on their bank account
  • Their account number
  • Their bank's routing number
  • The amount you want to send

The account number is usually 8 to 17 digits long and appears on checks, bank statements, or in the recipient's online banking portal. The routing number is always nine digits and identifies the bank itself, not the individual account. If the person is not sure of their routing number, they can find it on a check (it is the first set of numbers at the bottom left), on their bank's website, or by calling their bank's customer service line.

If you are sending money to a business, ask them which account name to use — sometimes it is the business name, sometimes it is the owner's name, and using the wrong one can delay the transfer.

How long transfers take and when the money arrives

An ACH transfer usually takes one to three business days. "Business days" means Monday through Friday, not counting holidays. If you send a transfer on Friday evening, it will not arrive until Monday or Tuesday at the earliest. If you send it on a holiday, the clock does not start until the next business day.

A wire transfer usually arrives the same day if you send it before your bank's cutoff time (often 2 or 3 p.m.), or the next business day if you send it after. Some banks charge extra for same-day wire transfers.

Same-day ACH transfers, when available, arrive the same day if sent before the cutoff time, or the next business day if sent after.

The receiving bank may hold the money for a day or two before it shows up in the recipient's account, even after it arrives at their bank. This is called a hold, and it is the receiving bank's decision, not yours. The recipient should see the money within one business day of the transfer arriving at their bank.

What to do if you send money to the wrong account

If you realize you made a mistake — you entered the wrong account number, sent money to the wrong person, or sent too much — contact your bank when ready. Do not wait. Call the phone number on the back of your debit card or log into your online banking and look for a "Contact Us" option.

If the transfer has not yet been processed (usually within a few hours of sending), your bank may be able to cancel it. If the transfer has already been processed, your bank can try to contact the receiving bank and ask them to reverse it, but this is not may provide to work. The receiving bank is not required to send the money back, especially if the recipient has already spent it.

Wire transfers are especially hard to reverse, which is why you should triple-check the account number before sending a wire. ACH transfers are somewhat easier to reverse because they go through a clearing house, but it is still not may provide.

If the money was sent to someone you know, you can also contact them directly and ask them to send it back. This is often faster than trying to reverse it through the banks.

Fees and limits on bank transfers

Most banks do not charge a fee for ACH transfers, though some banks charge a small fee (usually $1 to $3) if you send a lot of transfers in one month. Wire transfers usually cost $15 to $30 per transfer. Same-day ACH transfers cost more than regular ACH but less than wire transfers, usually $5 to $15.

Your bank may limit how much money you can send in a single transfer or in a day. These limits vary by bank and by account type. A new account might have a lower limit than an account you have had for years. Check your bank's website or call customer service to find out what your limit is.

If you need to send more than your limit, you can usually request a higher limit by calling your bank, or you can split the money into multiple transfers on different days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to someone at a different bank than mine?

Yes. Bank transfers work between any two banks in the United States. You do not need to use the same bank as the person receiving the money. As long as you have their account number and routing number, you can send money to them.

What if I do not know the recipient's routing number?

Ask the person to check a check, log into their online banking, or call their bank's customer service line. You can also search online for "[Bank Name] routing number" and usually find it on the bank's website. Make sure you get the routing number for the specific branch where they have their account, because some large banks have different routing numbers for different regions.

Is it safe to send money by bank transfer?

Bank transfers are safe if you send money to the correct account. The main risk is sending money to the wrong person by mistake. Always double-check the account number and routing number before you confirm the transfer. Wire transfers are riskier because they are hard to reverse, so only use wire transfer when you are certain the account information is correct.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

It depends on how much time has passed. If you catch the mistake within a few hours, before the transfer is processed, your bank may be able to cancel it. After that, your bank can ask the receiving bank to reverse it, but they are not required to. Wire transfers are especially hard to reverse. Contact your bank when ready if you need to cancel a transfer.

Why is my transfer taking longer than expected?

ACH transfers usually take one to three business days, but they can take longer if you sent it on a weekend or holiday, if there is a problem with the account information, or if the receiving bank is processing a high volume of transfers. Contact your bank with your confirmation number if a transfer has not arrived after five business days.