A sort code is a six-digit number that identifies which bank or building society holds your account
In the UK, a sort code is the routing number for your bank. It tells the payment system which institution to send money to. Every bank and building society has multiple sort codes — one for each branch or processing centre — so the code narrows down not just the bank but the specific location handling your account.
Sort codes appear on cheques, statements, and online banking. You need one whenever someone outside your bank sends you money: a payroll department, a benefits office, a friend paying you back. Without it, the payment system cannot find your account.
The format is always the same: six digits, usually written as three pairs separated by hyphens. An example might be 20-17-80. The first two digits identify the bank itself. The next four narrow it down further — typically to a branch, a processing centre, or a service line within that bank.
Key Takeaways
- A sort code is a six-digit number that tells the UK payment system which bank or building society holds your account.
- You need your sort code whenever someone sends you money by bank transfer, standing order, or direct debit.
- Sort codes are printed on cheques, visible in online banking, and listed on bank statements.
- The first two digits identify the bank; the remaining four identify the branch or processing centre.
- Sort codes are specific to the UK and Ireland; other countries use different routing systems.
Where to find your sort code
Your sort code appears in several places. The easiest is usually your chequebook — it is printed at the bottom left of every cheque, before your account number. If you do not use cheques, log into your online banking and look for account details or payment information. Most banks display it prominently there.
You can also find it on your bank statement, either printed at the top or listed under account details. If you have a debit card, some banks print it on the back or in the accompanying paperwork, though not all do. If none of these work, call your bank's customer service line and give them your account number — they will tell you the sort code in seconds.
How sort codes work in a payment
When you receive a bank transfer, the sender enters your sort code and account number into their bank's system. Their bank uses the sort code to route the payment to your bank. The payment travels through the UK's clearing system — a network of banks that exchange payments daily — and arrives at your bank's processing centre identified by that sort code.
Once the payment reaches your bank, the account number takes over. The bank uses it to find your specific account and deposit the money. Without the sort code, the payment system would not know which bank to send it to. With a wrong sort code, the payment either bounces back or arrives at the wrong bank, where it sits until someone notices the error.
This is why sort codes matter for standing orders and direct debits too. Your utility company, your landlord, or your employer uses your sort code and account number to pull money from your account on a schedule. If either number is wrong, the payment fails or goes to the wrong place.
Sort codes versus account numbers
A sort code and an account number are two different things, and you need both to receive a payment. The sort code identifies the bank; the account number identifies you within that bank. Together they form what is called your bank details.
An account number is usually eight digits, though some banks use fewer. It is unique to your account at that bank. Two people at the same bank branch will have the same sort code but different account numbers. Two people at different branches of the same bank might have different sort codes but the same account number structure.
When you give someone your bank details, you must provide both. Giving only the sort code or only the account number is not enough — the payment system needs both to find your account.
What happens if you give the wrong sort code
If you provide an incorrect sort code, the payment usually fails. The sending bank's system checks whether the sort code exists in the UK clearing system. If it does not, the payment is rejected and returned to the sender within a few working days. The sender then has to correct it and try again.
If the sort code exists but belongs to a different bank, the payment may arrive at that bank instead of yours. The receiving bank will see that the account number does not match any of their accounts and will hold the payment. They will contact their customer (the wrong recipient) to ask what to do with it. Eventually, the payment is returned to the sender, but this can take a week or more.
This is why it is worth double-checking before you give your sort code to someone. A single digit wrong can send money to the wrong place. If you are unsure, look it up in your online banking or on a recent statement rather than relying on memory.
Sort codes for different types of accounts
Most current accounts, savings accounts, and business accounts have a sort code. The code works the same way regardless of account type — it routes the payment to the right bank and branch.
Some specialist accounts, such as investment accounts or certain savings products, may use a different sort code from your main current account at the same bank. This happens when the bank processes those accounts through a different centre. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, check each statement to see whether they share a sort code or have separate ones.
Building societies use sort codes in exactly the same way as banks. The format and function are identical. If you bank with a building society, your sort code works for transfers just as it would with a bank.
Sort codes outside the UK and Ireland
Sort codes are used only in the UK and Ireland. If you are sending money to or receiving money from another country, you will need a different routing system. The United States uses a nine-digit routing number. Canada uses an eight-digit transit number. Most other countries use an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which is longer and includes a country code.
If you are receiving an international payment, your bank will give you an IBAN and a SWIFT code (also called a BIC code) instead of a sort code. These serve the same purpose — they tell the foreign bank where to send your money — but they work across borders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my sort code?
No. A sort code alone cannot be used to take money from your account. A thief would need both your sort code and your account number, and even then they can only pull money out (via direct debit or standing order), not push it in. To set up a direct debit, they would also need your permission or your signature. Your sort code is safe to share — it is meant to be given to people who need to send you money.
Do I need a different sort code for each bank account I have?
Not necessarily. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank branch, they may share the same sort code. However, if your accounts are at different branches or if one is a savings account processed through a different centre, they might have different sort codes. Check your statements or online banking for each account to be sure.
What if my bank closes a branch — does my sort code change?
Usually not when ready. When a bank closes a branch, it typically reassigns customers to another branch and may keep the old sort code active for a transition period. Your bank will tell you if your sort code is changing and will give you a new one. You should update anyone who has your details on file (employer, benefits office, regular payment recipients) with the new code.
Is a sort code the same as a routing number?
Sort codes and routing numbers serve the same purpose — they identify which bank holds your account — but they are used in different countries. Sort codes are UK and Ireland only. Routing numbers are used in the United States and Canada. If you are dealing with a US bank, you will need a routing number, not a sort code.
Can I use someone else's sort code to send them money?
Yes. If you are sending money to someone, you use their sort code and their account number. You do not need your own sort code to send a payment — only to receive one. Your bank uses your account details to debit your account, but the recipient's sort code and account number tell the system where the money should go.