To wire money, you’ll need the recipient’s full name, bank account number, and the bank’s routing number (for domestic transfers) or SWIFT code (for international transfers). You can initiate a wire through your bank’s online platform, mobile app, or by visiting a branch. The process typically takes minutes to set up, though the funds may take anywhere from a few hours to five business days to arrive depending on where the money is going.
Information You’ll Need Before You Start
Gather all the recipient’s details before you begin, since even a small error in an account number can delay or misdirect the transfer. For a domestic wire within the United States, you’ll need:
- Recipient’s full legal name as it appears on their bank account
- Recipient’s bank name and address
- Routing number, the nine-digit code that identifies the recipient’s bank
- Account number for the specific checking or savings account receiving the funds
- Your bank account number and routing number (your bank will have these on file if you’re initiating online)
For an international wire, you’ll need a couple of additional pieces. The most important is the recipient bank’s SWIFT code, an eight- or eleven-character identifier that pinpoints the bank, country, and branch. Many countries also require an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which identifies the individual account and starts with a two-letter country code followed by a string of numbers and letters. Some countries have their own identifiers on top of these, so ask your recipient exactly what their bank requires before you send.
How to Send a Wire Transfer
Most banks let you send wires online, through a mobile app, by phone, or in person at a branch. The online or app route is the fastest to set up. Log in, look for a “transfers” or “wire money” option, select whether the wire is domestic or international, and enter the recipient’s information. You’ll confirm the amount, review the details, and authorize the transfer.
If your bank doesn’t offer online wires, or if you’re sending a large amount that exceeds online limits, visiting a branch is the alternative. Bring a government-issued ID and all the recipient details listed above. A banker will fill out the wire request form with you and process it on the spot.
You can also send money through non-bank wire services like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Ria. These work well when the recipient doesn’t have a bank account, since funds can be picked up in cash at agent locations worldwide. You’ll pay the fee upfront and provide the recipient’s name and the destination country. The recipient then picks up the money using a confirmation number you share with them.
What Wire Transfers Cost
Fees vary by bank, direction, and whether the transfer is domestic or international. As of early 2026, here’s what to expect at major U.S. banks:
- Outgoing domestic wire: $20 to $35 at most banks. A few institutions, like Fidelity, charge nothing.
- Incoming domestic wire: Free at some banks, $15 to $20 at others.
- Outgoing international wire: $35 to $75, with most falling in the $45 to $50 range.
- Incoming international wire: Free to $25, depending on the bank.
Some banks waive wire fees for premium account holders. If you wire money regularly, it’s worth checking whether your account tier qualifies. Also keep in mind that for international wires, you may lose a bit of money on the exchange rate. Banks typically add a markup to the mid-market rate, so the total cost of an international wire is often higher than the stated fee alone.
How Long It Takes
Domestic wires are fast. Most arrive within 24 hours, and same-day delivery is common when you send early in the business day. Banks typically stop processing outgoing wires in the mid-afternoon, often around 3:00 PM local time. If you submit a wire after that cutoff, or on a weekend or federal holiday, it won’t be processed until the next business day.
International wires take longer, usually one to five business days. The timeline depends on the destination country, the number of intermediary banks involved in routing the payment, and local banking regulations. Transfers to major financial centers in Europe or Canada tend to arrive faster than those going to countries with less connected banking networks.
Double-check every detail before you hit send. A wrong digit in the account number or SWIFT code is one of the most common reasons wires get delayed or returned, and sorting out the error can add days to the process.
Protecting Yourself From Wire Fraud
Wire transfers are essentially irreversible. Once the money leaves your account, there’s no chargeback process like you’d have with a credit card. If a scammer receives your wire, it is nearly impossible to recover the funds. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers specifically request wire transfers because the money can be picked up quickly at locations worldwide and is extremely difficult to trace.
Several scam patterns show up repeatedly. In rental scams, you respond to a listing with suspiciously low rent and the “landlord” asks you to wire a deposit before you’ve seen the property. In overpayment scams, someone sends you a check for more than an agreed price, then asks you to wire back the difference before the check bounces. In family emergency scams, a caller pretending to be a relative claims to be in trouble and begs you to wire money immediately. Prize scams tell you that you’ve won a lottery but need to wire fees for taxes or processing before collecting your winnings.
A few rules will keep you safe. Never wire money to someone you haven’t met in person. No legitimate government agency will ever ask you to pay by wire transfer. Be skeptical of anyone who insists a wire is the only acceptable payment method, and never send money under time pressure. If someone calls claiming to be a family member in distress, hang up and call that person directly at their known number to verify.
When a Wire Transfer Makes Sense
Wire transfers are best for situations where speed, certainty, and large dollar amounts matter. Real estate closings are the most common use case: title companies and attorneys typically require wired funds because the money settles quickly and the bank guarantees the payment. Wires also make sense for time-sensitive business payments, international transfers where the recipient needs funds in a foreign bank account, and any transaction where the other party needs confirmation that the money has been sent and cannot be reversed.
For smaller or less urgent transfers, cheaper alternatives exist. ACH transfers (the system behind most bank-to-bank transfers on apps like Zelle or through your bank’s online bill pay) are free or nearly free, though they take one to three business days. Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App work well for sending money to individuals domestically. For international transfers, online services like Wise or Remitly often offer better exchange rates and lower fees than a traditional bank wire, though delivery times vary.