The basic steps to wire money from your bank

To wire money, you contact your bank or credit union, provide the recipient's banking details, and authorize the transfer. The money moves electronically from your account to theirs, usually within one business day. You'll need the recipient's full name, account number, routing number (if sending domestically in the US), and the amount you want to send. Some banks let you start the process online; others require you to visit a branch or call.

Wire transfers are faster than checks or ACH transfers, but they're also irreversible once sent. If you send money to the wrong account, you cannot simply cancel it like you might with a check. This is why confirming the recipient's details before you initiate the transfer matters more than with other payment methods.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's full name, account number, routing number (for US domestic transfers), and the amount before you start.
  • Wire transfers typically complete within one business day, but some banks process them the same day if you initiate before their cutoff time.
  • Your bank will charge a fee for sending a wire, usually between $15 and $50 depending on whether the transfer is domestic or international.
  • Once a wire is sent, you cannot reverse it, so double-check all recipient details before you authorize the transfer.

Gathering the information you need before you start

The recipient must give you their banking details in writing or through a secure channel. Ask for their full legal name exactly as it appears on their account, their account number, and their bank's routing number. For international transfers, you'll also need the bank's SWIFT code or IBAN (International Bank Account Number), depending on the country.

Confirm these details with the recipient directly — do not rely on an email alone if you're sending a large amount. Call them or use a method you know is secure. Scammers sometimes intercept payment instructions and redirect wire transfers to fraudulent accounts, so this step is your main defense.

If the recipient's bank is outside the US, ask which routing identifier they use. Different countries use different systems, and using the wrong one can delay the transfer or send it to the wrong institution.

How to initiate a wire transfer through your bank

Log into your bank's online portal or mobile app and look for "Send Money," "Wire Transfer," or "Payments." If your bank doesn't offer online wiring, call the wire transfer department or visit a branch in person. Have the recipient's information ready when you start.

Enter the recipient's name, account number, routing number, and the amount. Your bank's system will usually show you a summary before you confirm. Review it carefully — this is your last chance to catch a typo. Then authorize the transfer using whatever method your bank requires: a password, a one-time code sent to your phone, or a signature if you're at a branch.

Your bank will give you a confirmation number and a reference number for the wire. Save both. The confirmation number proves you sent it; the reference number lets you track it or dispute it later if something goes wrong.

Wire transfer fees and timing

Domestic wire transfers (within the US) typically cost $15 to $30. International wires cost more — usually $35 to $50 — because they move through multiple banks and currency exchanges. Some banks charge extra if the recipient's bank is in a particular country or if you need the money to arrive the same day.

Most domestic wires complete within one business day. If you send a wire before your bank's cutoff time (often 2 or 3 p.m.), it may arrive the same day. International wires usually take two to four business days because they pass through correspondent banks in other countries. Weekends and holidays add time.

Ask your bank what their cutoff time is and whether they charge extra for same-day processing. Some banks offer it; others do not.

What happens after you send the wire

Your bank debits the money from your account immediately, even if the recipient hasn't received it yet. The funds are in transit until they arrive at the recipient's bank. During this time, you cannot cancel the wire or get the money back through your own bank.

The recipient's bank receives the wire and deposits it into their account. They'll see a deposit from your bank's name, not necessarily your personal name, so make sure they know to expect it. If the recipient's account number was wrong, the receiving bank may reject the transfer and send it back to you — this can take several days.

If a wire doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe, contact your bank with your confirmation number. They can trace it and find out where it is in the system. If it was sent to the wrong account and the receiving bank won't return it, you may have limited options for recovery.

Domestic versus international wire transfers

Domestic wires stay within the US banking system and use routing numbers to identify the receiving bank. They're faster, cheaper, and simpler because there's no currency conversion and fewer intermediaries involved.

International wires move through multiple banks in different countries and often involve currency conversion. You'll need the recipient's SWIFT code (an 8 or 11-character code that identifies their bank worldwide) or their IBAN (a longer account number used in Europe and some other regions). The exchange rate your bank uses may differ from the market rate, and the receiving bank may charge a fee on their end as well.

If you're sending money internationally, ask your bank upfront what the total cost will be, including any fees the recipient's bank might charge. Some banks offer better exchange rates than others, so it's worth comparing if you're sending a large amount.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is typing the account number or routing number wrong. A single digit off sends the money to a different account, and you may not be able to recover it. Always copy the numbers directly from what the recipient gave you rather than typing from memory.

Another mistake is not confirming the recipient's full legal name. If you send money to "John Smith" but the account is registered to "John Michael Smith," the receiving bank may reject it or hold it pending verification.

Sending a wire to the wrong person entirely — because you misunderstood who you were paying or because someone gave you fraudulent instructions — is also common. Before you authorize any wire, especially a large one, contact the recipient through a phone number or email you know is theirs and confirm they're expecting the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

Not reliably. Once your bank sends the wire, it's out of their control. You can ask your bank to attempt a recall, but the receiving bank is not required to honor it. If the recipient has already withdrawn the money, there's no way to get it back through the banking system. This is why confirming all details before you send is critical.

What if I send money to the wrong account by mistake?

Contact your bank immediately with your confirmation number. They can try to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds, but there's no may provide. If the recipient has already spent the money, recovery is difficult. In some cases, you may need to pursue a civil claim or report fraud to law enforcement.

How do I know if the wire arrived?

Ask the recipient to confirm they received it in their account. You can also log into your own bank account and see that the money left your account, but that doesn't mean it arrived at the destination yet. If it's been longer than the expected timeframe, contact your bank with your confirmation number and ask them to trace it.

Is a wire transfer safer than other payment methods?

Wire transfers are fast and direct, but they're not reversible, which makes them riskier if you send money to the wrong person. They're safer than cash or checks in that the money is tracked electronically, but you have less protection if you're the victim of fraud. Never wire money to someone you don't know or trust, and always verify instructions through a separate communication channel.

Why does an international wire take longer than a domestic one?

International wires pass through multiple banks in different countries, each of which processes and verifies the transfer. Currency conversion also adds time. Domestic wires stay within one banking system and move directly from your bank to the recipient's bank, so they're faster.