To send a bank wire transfer, you’ll need the recipient’s full name, bank account number, and routing number, then initiate the transfer through your bank’s online portal, mobile app, or in person at a branch. The process typically takes less than 15 minutes to set up, though you’ll pay a fee ranging from $25 to $50 or more depending on whether the wire is domestic or international.
Information You’ll Need Before Starting
Gather all the recipient’s details before you begin. Missing even one piece of information will stall the process, and entering incorrect details can send your money to the wrong account.
For a domestic wire (within the United States, including U.S. territories), you need:
- Recipient’s full legal name as it appears on their bank account
- Recipient’s address
- Bank account number
- Wire routing number (also called a Wire ABA number, which may differ from the routing number printed on checks)
- Account type (checking or savings)
For an international wire, the requirements change slightly:
- Recipient’s full legal name and address
- Bank account number (or IBAN, which is the standardized international account format used in many countries)
- SWIFT/BIC code, an 8- or 11-character code that identifies the recipient’s bank globally
- International Payments System Routing Code for certain countries (your bank will prompt you if it’s needed)
Ask the recipient to provide these details directly. Don’t guess at routing numbers or SWIFT codes, since banks can have multiple codes for different purposes, and using the wrong one can delay or misdirect the transfer.
Sending a Wire Online or Through an App
Most major banks let you send wires through online banking or their mobile app. The exact menu names vary, but the general flow is the same.
Log into your bank’s online portal or app and navigate to the transfers section. At Bank of America, for example, you’d select “Pay & Transfer” and then “Wire/ACH.” Other banks label it similarly. Look for options like “Send a Wire,” “Wire Transfer,” or “Transfer Money.”
Choose whether you’re sending a domestic or international wire, then add the recipient as a new payee by entering all the details you gathered. Your bank will likely ask you to verify your identity before adding the recipient. This might mean entering a one-time authorization code sent to your phone or providing your debit card number and PIN. Some banks require you to enroll in a secure transfer program the first time you send a wire online, which involves linking your mobile number for verification codes.
Once the recipient is added, select the account you want to send from, enter the dollar amount, and review the details carefully. After you confirm, the wire is submitted for processing. You should receive a confirmation number. Save it.
Sending a Wire in Person or by Phone
If your bank doesn’t offer online wires, or if you prefer working with someone directly, visit a branch. Bring a valid photo ID and all the recipient information listed above. A banker will fill out the wire transfer form with you, verify the details, and process it on the spot. Some banks also accept wire requests over the phone, though they’ll typically require extra identity verification steps.
In-person wires can be useful for large transfers where you want a second set of eyes on the details, but the information you need is identical to what you’d enter online.
Fees and Processing Time
Wire transfers are not free. Domestic outgoing wires typically cost $25 to $30. International outgoing wires often run $50 or more. Some banks also charge the recipient a fee for incoming wires, usually $10 to $20. These fees are deducted from your account separately from the transfer amount, so the recipient gets the full dollar figure you specify (though international wires may lose a small amount to intermediary bank fees or currency conversion along the way).
Domestic wires generally settle the same business day if you submit them before your bank’s cutoff time, which is often early to mid-afternoon. International wires take one to five business days depending on the destination country, the number of intermediary banks involved, and time zone differences.
Unlike personal checks or ACH transfers, wire transfers move funds directly between banks through a dedicated payment network, which is why they settle faster and cost more. This also makes them the standard for time-sensitive payments like real estate closings, where the recipient needs guaranteed, same-day funds.
Daily Limits
Banks set daily and per-transaction limits on wire transfers, and these vary significantly by institution. Online wires often have lower caps than in-branch wires. If you’re sending a large sum, like a down payment on a home, check with your bank ahead of time to confirm you can send the full amount in a single transfer. You may need to visit a branch or call to request a temporary limit increase for larger transactions.
Protecting Yourself From Wire Fraud
Once a wire transfer is sent and processed, recovering the money is extremely difficult. Scammers exploit this by tricking people into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts, often through fake emails that appear to come from a title company, business partner, or vendor with “updated” wire instructions.
Before wiring money, verify the instructions independently. If you receive wire details by email for a real estate closing or business payment, call the sender at their official published phone number to confirm. Do not call a number included in the email itself, since that number could belong to the scammer. If your bank sends you a one-time passcode during the wire process, never share that code with anyone over the phone, even if the caller claims to be from your bank.
If something feels off about a wire request, stop and contact your bank directly before proceeding. Acting quickly matters: if you realize you’ve been scammed, call your bank immediately, as they may be able to contact the receiving bank before the funds are withdrawn.
Canceling a Wire Transfer
For international wires (classified as remittance transfers under federal rules), you have a legal right to cancel within 30 minutes of initiating payment. Your bank may offer a longer window, but 30 minutes is the guaranteed minimum regardless of business hours. To cancel, contact your bank and provide the confirmation number or any identifying details so they can locate the transfer.
If you cancel within that window, your bank must refund the full amount, including any fees and applicable taxes that were charged for the transfer. The refund can come back as cash, a credit to your account, or a reversal to whatever payment method you originally used.
Domestic wires are harder to cancel. There’s no equivalent federal 30-minute rule for domestic bank-to-bank wires, so your ability to stop one depends on whether the funds have already been released. The sooner you call, the better your chances. Once the money reaches the recipient’s account, reversing the transfer requires the recipient’s cooperation, which is why wire fraud is so devastating.
When a Wire Makes Sense Over Other Options
Wire transfers cost more than most alternatives, so they’re best suited for situations where speed, certainty, or large dollar amounts matter. Real estate transactions, business-to-business payments, and international transfers to bank accounts are the most common uses. For smaller or less time-sensitive payments, ACH transfers (which are free or low-cost through most banks and take one to three business days) or peer-to-peer apps are usually the better choice.