A sorting code is a six-digit number that identifies which bank branch holds your account
When you send money to someone in the UK, the sorting code tells the payment system exactly which branch to send it to. It works like a postal code for banks. Without it, the money would not know where to go, even if you have the right account number. Every UK bank branch has its own sorting code, and you will find yours on your cheque book, your bank statements, or by logging into your online banking.
The sorting code is not the same as your account number. Your account number identifies your account at that branch. The sorting code identifies the branch itself. Together, they form the complete address for your money to arrive.
Key Takeaways
- A sorting code is a six-digit number that identifies your bank branch, and you need it whenever someone sends you money or you set up a standing order.
- The sorting code appears on your cheques, bank statements, and online banking portal, usually formatted as three pairs of numbers like 20-45-67.
- Different branches of the same bank have different sorting codes, so the code is specific to your location, not just your bank.
- Payment systems use the sorting code to route money to the correct branch, then the account number to find your specific account within that branch.
Where to find your sorting code
Your sorting code appears in several places. If you have a cheque book, look at the bottom left of any cheque — you will see nine digits in total. The first six are your sorting code, the next eight are your account number. If you do not have cheques, log into your online banking and look for account details or account information. Most banks display it clearly there.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read it to you over the phone. Some banks print it on your debit card statement or in the welcome pack you received when you opened the account. If you have lost all of these, your bank's website usually has a tool where you can enter your postcode and branch name to find the code.
How sorting codes are structured
A sorting code is always six digits, written as three pairs separated by hyphens: 20-45-67, for example. The first two digits identify the bank itself. The next two identify the region or area where the branch is located. The final two identify the specific branch. This structure means that if you move to a different branch of the same bank in a different town, your sorting code will change.
The sorting code system is maintained by VOCSP (the Voluntary Organisations' Co-operative Society), which publishes the official register of all UK sorting codes. Banks must register every branch they operate, and the code stays the same until the branch closes or merges with another.
When you need to provide your sorting code
You need your sorting code whenever someone outside your bank sends you money. This includes salary payments from your employer, transfers from friends or family, refunds from online retailers, and payments from government bodies. Your employer will ask for it when you start a job. Your landlord will ask for it if you pay rent by bank transfer. Any service that pays you will ask for both your sorting code and account number.
You also need it when you set up a standing order or direct debit to pay bills. The sorting code tells your bank which other bank to send the money to. Without it, the instruction cannot be processed. Some online payment systems will ask for it when you transfer money to someone else's account, though many now use Faster Payments or when ready Payments systems that can work with just the account number if you have the account holder's name.
Sorting codes versus account numbers and IBAN
Your sorting code and account number work together but do different jobs. The sorting code is the address of the branch. The account number is the address of your account within that branch. Neither one alone is enough — a payment needs both to reach you.
If you are sending or receiving money internationally, you will need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) instead. An IBAN includes your sorting code and account number, but adds a country code and check digits so that international payment systems can process it. For UK accounts, the IBAN always starts with GB, followed by two check digits, then your sorting code, then your account number. You can find your IBAN in your online banking or by asking your bank.
What happens if you give the wrong sorting code
If you provide an incorrect sorting code, the payment will either be rejected or sent to the wrong branch. Modern payment systems check the sorting code against the official register before processing, so many mistakes are caught and you will be asked to correct it. If the code is close to a real code but not quite right, the payment might go to a different branch of your bank, where it will sit unmatched because the account number does not exist there.
If money is sent to the wrong place, it can take several days to trace and recover. The sending bank and the receiving bank have to investigate, and the money may be returned to the sender rather than forwarded to you. This is why it is important to double-check the sorting code before confirming a payment, especially for large amounts or one-off transfers.
Sorting codes for online and digital banks
Online and digital banks operate the same way as traditional banks — they have sorting codes and account numbers. Even if you bank entirely through an app and never visit a physical branch, your account is still held at a real bank location with a real sorting code. Some digital banks use the sorting code of their main processing centre rather than individual branches, but the code still functions the same way in the payment system.
When you open an account with an online bank, you will be given a sorting code and account number in your welcome pack or in the app itself. Use these the same way you would with any other bank. The fact that you cannot walk into a branch does not change how the payment system routes money to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my sorting code?
No. Your sorting code is determined by which branch holds your account, and you cannot change it without moving your account to a different branch. If your branch closes, your bank will move your account to another branch and assign you a new sorting code. Your bank will tell you about this in advance and provide your new details.
Is my sorting code the same as my bank's main sorting code?
No. Your bank may have dozens or hundreds of branches, each with its own sorting code. The sorting code on your statements is specific to the branch where your account is held. If you opened your account online, your branch code is the processing centre's code, not a local branch.
Do I need my sorting code to check my balance or log in?
No. Your sorting code is only needed when money is being sent to or from your account. You log into your bank using your username, password, or biometric details. The sorting code is for external payments only.
What if someone asks for my sorting code and I do not trust them?
Your sorting code is not sensitive information — it is printed on your cheques and is not secret. However, a sorting code alone cannot be used to take money from your account. You should never give out your full account number or any security details like your PIN or online banking password, even if someone claims they need them. Legitimate organisations will only ask for your sorting code and account number when you are the one initiating a payment to them.
Do I need a sorting code to receive money from abroad?
No. For international payments, you provide your IBAN instead, which includes your sorting code but also adds country and check information. Your bank can provide your IBAN if you need to receive money from outside the UK.