How to Wire Money 2026: Step-by-Step Guide for Any Bank

To wire money, gather the recipient’s name, bank name, routing number, and account number — then log into your bank’s website or visit a branch, enter the transfer details, and confirm. Domestic wire transfers take 5–15 minutes to initiate and settle within hours. International wires require SWIFT/BIC codes and an IBAN and settle in 1–5 business days. The wire transfer guide has a full overview of costs and timing.

What You Need Before You Wire Money

Have this information ready before starting. Getting any of these wrong can cause your wire to be delayed or sent to the wrong account — and wires cannot be reversed once settled.

Domestic Wire Transfer — Required Information

Important: The wire routing number and ACH routing number are sometimes different at the same bank. Always confirm the wire-specific routing number with your recipient’s bank rather than assuming it matches the ACH/direct-deposit routing number on a check, since these numbers can differ by bank and by region and can change.

International Wire Transfer — Additional Requirements

Step-by-Step: How to Wire Money Online

Step 1: Log in to your bank’s online banking or mobile app Navigate to Transfers or Payments — look for “Wire Transfer” not “External Transfer” (which is usually ACH).

Step 2: Select the wire transfer type Choose domestic or international. If you don’t see a wire option, check whether your account type supports online wire initiation — some accounts require branch or phone initiation, and some online banks don’t support wires at all.

Step 3: Add or select the recipient

• First-time recipients: Enter all required information (name, bank, routing number, account number)
• Returning recipients: Select from saved recipients (faster and reduces data entry errors)

Step 4: Enter the transfer details

• Amount
• Transfer date (today for same-day processing, or a future date)
• Purpose/memo if required

Step 5: Review and confirm Review every field — especially the account number and routing number. Banks display a confirmation screen showing:

• Exact routing and account numbers
• Wire fee charged to your account
• Estimated settlement time

Step 6: Submit and save confirmation Note your wire reference number (also called a SWIFT reference number for international wires). This is how you track the transfer if it is delayed.

Step-by-Step: How to Wire Money at a Branch

1. Bring a government-issued photo ID
2. Know your account number and available balance
3. Bring the recipient’s wire information in writing
4. Complete the bank’s wire transfer request form
5. Verify all details with the teller before signing
6. Pay the fee (debited from your account or paid in cash)
7. Get a written receipt with your wire reference number

Why branch wires can be faster: For first-time international wires or large domestic wires over online limits, the branch can process amounts your online account may restrict.

Wire Transfer Cutoff Times

Your wire must be submitted before your bank’s cutoff time to process the same business day. Cutoff times vary by bank and by domestic vs. international wire, and typically fall in the mid-afternoon to early evening ET window — confirm the exact time with your bank, since it can change and may differ for online vs. branch submission. See wire transfer timing for how to confirm settlement once a wire is sent.

Submitted after the cutoff? The wire processes the next business day. For time-sensitive payments, build in a buffer rather than submitting right at the deadline.

Wire Transfer Fees

Full fee tables — including incoming wire fees and premium account waivers — are in the wire transfer fees guide and what banks charge for wire transfers.

Wire Fraud: How to Protect Yourself

Wire fraud is a fast-growing financial crime. The most common attack: a scammer impersonates a real estate agent, attorney, vendor, or government agency and emails you updated wire instructions.

Never wire money without calling the recipient directly using a phone number from your own records — not from the email requesting the wire. Real wire recipients understand this verification step. Scammers will pressure you to skip it.

Red flags:

• Email with “updated” wire instructions you did not request
• Pressure to wire “immediately” or “today only”
• Instructions to keep the wire confidential from your bank or spouse
• Wire destination country differs from what you expected

If you sent a wire to a fraudster: Call your bank immediately, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and file a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Recovery is possible but not guaranteed — time is critical.

Common Wire Transfer Mistakes

1. Using the ACH routing number instead of the wire routing number — causes the wire to bounce or delay
2. Typo in account number — wire goes to a random account; recovery requires the receiving bank’s cooperation
3. Forgetting IBAN for European recipients — international wires without IBANs are rejected or held in European countries
4. Missing cutoff time — wire doesn’t process until next business day
5. Not accounting for fees — sending exactly $10,000 when you owe $10,000, forgetting the outgoing fee will bring your balance below the amount

For limits on how much you can wire, see the wire transfer limits guide.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.