A sort code identifies which bank holds your account
A sort code is a six-digit number that tells payment systems which UK bank or building society holds your account. It works alongside your account number to route money to the right place. When someone sends you a payment, the sort code directs it to your specific bank; the account number then directs it to your specific account within that bank.
Sort codes are used only in the UK and Ireland. If you're sending money to or receiving money from outside those countries, you'll use a different routing system — usually a SWIFT code or IBAN instead. Within the UK, sort codes are the standard routing identifier for all domestic payments: standing orders, direct debits, bank transfers, and cheques.
You'll find your sort code printed on your cheque book, on your bank statements, and in your online banking portal. It's always formatted as three pairs of digits — for example, 20-45-67. Banks assign sort codes; you don't choose yours.
Key Takeaways
- A sort code is a six-digit number that identifies your bank or building society within the UK payment system.
- Sort codes are printed on cheques, statements, and in online banking, and you can also call your bank to confirm yours.
- You need a sort code and account number together to receive domestic UK payments; neither works alone.
- Each bank branch may have its own sort code, so two accounts at the same bank can have different sort codes if they're held at different branches.
How sort codes route your money
When you give someone your bank details to send you money, you provide both a sort code and an account number. The payment system uses the sort code first — it's the address that tells the system which bank to send the payment to. Once the payment arrives at your bank, the account number tells the bank which account within that bank should receive it.
This two-part system exists because thousands of accounts exist across the UK banking system. A sort code narrows it down to one bank; an account number narrows it down to one account. Without the sort code, the payment system wouldn't know where to start looking.
Sort codes are used for standing orders (regular payments you set up), direct debits (payments others take from your account with permission), bank transfers you make online or in branch, and cheques you write. They're also used when you set up a new payee in your online banking — the system checks the sort code and account number combination to make sure it's valid before you send money.
Where to find your sort code
Your sort code appears in several places. The easiest is usually your cheque book — it's printed at the bottom left of every cheque, before your account number. If you don't have a cheque book, check your bank statements (paper or online); the sort code is normally listed near your account details at the top or in a summary section.
Log into your online banking or mobile app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display your sort code there alongside your account number. If you can't find it anywhere, call your bank's customer service line — they can confirm your sort code in under a minute.
Some banks also print sort codes on debit cards, though not all do. Don't rely on this as your only source; the cheque book, statement, or online banking are more reliable.
Sort codes and branch locations
Each bank branch has its own sort code. If your bank has multiple branches, accounts held at different branches may have different sort codes. This matters if you're moving branches or if you hold accounts at more than one branch of the same bank — you need to use the correct sort code for the specific branch where your account is held.
When you open an account, the bank assigns you a sort code based on which branch processes your account. If you later move branches, your sort code may change. Your bank will tell you if this happens and will update your details in their system.
The sort code doesn't change if you move house. It only changes if your account moves to a different branch of the bank, which is rare unless you request it.
Sort codes versus account numbers
A sort code and an account number are different things and both are needed for a payment to reach you. The sort code identifies the bank; the account number identifies your account within that bank. Think of it like a postal address: the sort code is the town, and the account number is the house number on a specific street.
Account numbers in the UK are eight digits long. Sort codes are always six digits. Together, they form what's called a sort code and account number or SCAN — the standard way to identify a UK bank account for domestic payments.
If you give someone only a sort code, they can't send you money — they have no way to identify which account to send it to. If you give them only an account number, they can't send you money either — they don't know which bank to send it to. Both pieces of information are required.
International payments and alternatives to sort codes
If you're receiving money from outside the UK or sending money abroad, sort codes don't work. International payments use different routing systems. The most common is a SWIFT code (also called a BIC code), which identifies your bank internationally. You may also need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which is a longer code that includes country information and your account details in a standardized format.
Your bank can provide both your SWIFT code and IBAN. They're usually found in the same place as your sort code — your statements, online banking, or a call to customer service. If someone is sending you money from abroad, ask them which code they need; they'll tell you whether it's a SWIFT code, IBAN, or both.
Within the UK, always use sort code and account number. For payments to other countries or from other countries to you, use SWIFT and IBAN.
What happens if you give the wrong sort code
If you provide an incorrect sort code, the payment will either be rejected before it's sent or it will be sent to the wrong bank. If it reaches the wrong bank, that bank will usually reject it and send it back to the sender, which can take several days. The sender will then need to resend it with the correct sort code.
This is why banks ask you to confirm sort codes and account numbers before you set up a new payee. Many online banking systems now use Confirmation of Payee (CoP), a check that matches the name on the account to the sort code and account number you've entered. If the details don't match, the system will warn you before you send money.
Always double-check both your sort code and account number before giving them to someone or before sending money to a new payee. A single digit wrong in either code can send money to the wrong place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people at the same bank have different sort codes?
Yes, if their accounts are held at different branches. Each branch has its own sort code. If both accounts are at the same branch, they share the same sort code but have different account numbers.
Is a sort code the same as a routing number?
No. Sort codes are used in the UK and Ireland. Routing numbers are used in the United States and serve the same purpose — they identify which bank holds an account. If you're sending money to the US, you'll need a routing number, not a sort code.
Do I need to memorize my sort code?
No. You only need to know where to find it — your cheque book, statement, or online banking. Write it down or take a photo of it when you need to give it to someone, but you don't need to remember it.
What if my bank doesn't have a cheque book?
Check your bank statements or log into online banking to find your sort code. If neither shows it, call your bank's customer service number — it's on the back of your debit card or on your statement.
Does my sort code change if I move house?
No. Your sort code is tied to your bank branch, not your address. Moving house doesn't change your sort code unless you also move your account to a different branch.