To send a wire transfer, you’ll need the recipient’s full name, bank account number, and routing number, then you’ll submit the transfer through your bank (online, by phone, or in person) along with a fee that typically runs $25 to $30 for domestic transfers. The process is straightforward once you have the right details, but wires work differently from most other payment methods because the money moves fast and is very difficult to reverse once sent.
Information You’ll Need Before You Start
Gather all the recipient’s details before you initiate the wire. For a domestic transfer within the United States, you need four pieces of information: the recipient’s full legal name, their address, their bank account number, and their bank’s ABA routing number (the nine-digit code that identifies the specific bank). Your recipient can find both numbers on a check or by logging into their own bank account online.
For an international wire, you’ll need additional codes. The recipient’s bank will have a SWIFT code (also called a BIC), which is an eight- or 11-character code that uniquely identifies the bank on the global messaging network. Many countries also require an IBAN, an International Bank Account Number that runs 22 to 34 characters depending on the country. You’ll also need the country where the recipient’s bank is located, which matters because regulations follow the bank’s country, not necessarily where the person lives. Some countries require you to list a purpose of payment as well.
If any of these details are wrong, the wire can be delayed or returned. Double-check every digit with your recipient before submitting.
How to Send a Domestic Wire
Most banks let you initiate a wire transfer in three ways: online banking, by phone, or by visiting a branch in person. Online is the fastest option if your bank supports it. You’ll log in, navigate to the transfers or wire section, enter the recipient’s details, specify the amount, and confirm. Some banks require additional verification for first-time wire recipients, like a security code sent to your phone.
If you’re sending in person, bring a valid photo ID. The bank representative will fill out the wire form with you and may ask you to verify the purpose of the transfer. Phone transfers work similarly: you’ll speak with a representative who walks you through the details and confirms the transaction verbally.
Domestic wires are typically sent the same business day if you submit them before your bank’s cutoff time, which is often around 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time or the equivalent in your time zone. Submit after the cutoff and the wire goes out the next business day. Wires don’t process on weekends or bank holidays, so keep that in mind if your deadline is tight.
How to Send an International Wire
The process for an international wire is nearly identical to a domestic one, but you’ll enter the SWIFT code and IBAN instead of (or in addition to) a standard routing number. You may also need to select the currency you want the recipient to receive. If you’re sending U.S. dollars to someone whose bank account is in euros, your bank will convert the currency, and the exchange rate it uses will affect how much the recipient actually gets.
International wires take longer. While domestic transfers often arrive the same day, cross-border wires can take up to five business days depending on the destination country, the number of intermediary banks involved, and local regulations. Some corridors are faster than others.
What Wire Transfers Cost
Wire transfers come with fees on both ends. Outgoing domestic wires typically cost $25 to $30, though fees range from $0 to $40 depending on the bank. Outgoing international wires are more expensive, often $50 or more, with fees ranging up to $75.
The recipient’s bank may also charge an incoming wire fee. Incoming domestic wire fees range from $0 to $20, and incoming international fees range from $0 to $25. For international transfers, intermediary banks that help route the money between countries can also deduct their own small fees from the amount in transit. That means the recipient might receive slightly less than you sent. If you need the recipient to get an exact amount, factor these fees in and send a bit more.
When a Wire Transfer Makes Sense
Wire transfers are best for large, time-sensitive payments. If you’re closing on a house, paying tuition to a school abroad, or sending a significant sum that needs to arrive quickly and securely, a wire is the right tool. The money moves directly from your bank to the recipient’s bank without passing through a slower batch-processing system.
For everyday transactions like paying bills, splitting rent, or sending smaller amounts to friends, an ACH transfer is usually the better choice. ACH transfers pass through the Automated Clearing House network and take a few days to settle, but they’re free or nearly free. Payment apps like Zelle and Venmo use this same network behind the scenes. Wire transfers carry fees of $25 to $50 or more per transaction, so the cost only makes sense when speed or the size of the transfer justifies it.
Why Wires Are Hard to Reverse
A wire transfer is essentially like sending cash. Once the money leaves your account and reaches the recipient, you generally cannot get it back. This is the single most important thing to understand before you send one. Unlike a credit card charge that you can dispute or a check that you can stop, a completed wire gives you very little recourse.
If you realize you’ve made an error or been scammed, contact your bank immediately. Banks can sometimes intercept a wire before it’s fully processed, but the window is narrow. If you used a money transfer service like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Ria, contact them right away and ask them to reverse the transfer. There’s no guarantee, but acting fast is your best chance.
Scams That Target Wire Senders
The FTC warns about several common schemes that pressure people into wiring money. Scammers prefer wire transfers precisely because the funds are hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover. Here are the patterns to watch for:
- Fake rental listings: You find an apartment or vacation rental at a suspiciously low price, and the “landlord” asks you to wire a deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve seen the place or signed a lease.
- Fake check scams: Someone sends you a check and asks you to deposit it, then wire part of the money back. The check eventually bounces, and you’re out whatever you sent.
- Family emergency scams: A caller pretends to be a relative in trouble and begs you to wire money immediately. The urgency is designed to stop you from verifying the story.
- Prize and lottery scams: You’re told you’ve won money but need to wire a fee for taxes, shipping, or processing before you can collect.
- Romance scams: Someone you’ve been talking to online builds a relationship, then invents a crisis and asks you to wire funds.
- Utility threats: A caller claims to be from your gas or electric company and says your service will be shut off unless you wire payment right now.
The common thread is pressure. Legitimate businesses and government agencies do not demand wire transfers as the only payment method, and they don’t threaten immediate consequences if you don’t send money within minutes. If anyone insists you pay by wire and won’t accept a credit card, check, or other traceable method, that’s a strong signal something is wrong.