How to Move Money Between Your Bank Accounts

The main ways to transfer money between banks

You can move money between banks using an ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House), a wire transfer, or by linking accounts directly through your bank's app or website. ACH transfers are free or low-cost and take one to three business days. Wire transfers move money the same day or next business day but usually cost $15 to $30. Direct linking through your bank's platform is often the fastest and simplest route if both banks participate in the same network.

The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money, whether you want to pay a fee, and which banks you use. Some banks offer their own fast transfer services — for example, Bank of America's Zelle transfers money in minutes to other Zelle users, while Chase QuickPay works similarly within its network. If your banks don't share a network, ACH or wire transfer are your standard options.

Key Takeaways

• ACH transfers are free or cost $1 to $3, take one to three business days, and work between almost any two banks in the United States.
• Wire transfers move money the same day or next business day but cost $15 to $30 and require you to provide the receiving bank's routing number and your account number.
• Many banks now offer real-time transfer services through their apps — Zelle, FedNow, and RTP (Real-Time Payments) — that move money in minutes for free or a small fee.
• You initiate most transfers through your sending bank's website or app, not through the receiving bank, and you need the receiving account number and routing number.

ACH transfers: the standard free option

An ACH transfer is a bank-to-bank electronic payment that runs through the Automated Clearing House network. Nearly every U.S. bank and credit union participates in ACH, so this method works between almost any two institutions. You start the transfer from your sending bank's website or mobile app by entering the receiving bank's routing number, your account number at that bank, and the amount you want to move.

ACH transfers are free at most banks, though some charge $1 to $3 per transfer. The transfer typically takes one to three business days to complete. If you send money on a Friday evening, it may not arrive until Tuesday. Banks do not process ACH transfers on weekends or federal holidays, so timing matters if you need the money by a specific date.

ACH transfers work in both directions — you can pull money from another bank into your current account, or push money out to another account you own or someone else's account. If you are moving money to someone else's account, they will see your name and the amount, but not your account number.

Wire transfers: fast but with a cost

A wire transfer moves money directly from one bank to another through the Federal Reserve's wire network (for domestic transfers) or through SWIFT (for international transfers). Wire transfers typically complete the same business day or the next business day, making them much faster than ACH. However, most banks charge $15 to $30 per outgoing wire transfer, and some charge a fee to receive one as well.

To send a wire transfer, you will need the receiving bank's name, routing number, the account holder's name, and their account number. Some banks also ask for a SWIFT code if the receiving bank is outside the United States. You initiate the wire through your bank's website, app, or by calling the bank directly. Once sent, a wire transfer cannot be reversed, so double-check all the details before confirming.

Wire transfers are useful when you need money to arrive quickly and the fee is worth it to you — for example, when you are closing on a home purchase or need to cover an urgent expense at another bank. For routine transfers between your own accounts, ACH or a real-time transfer service is usually a better choice.

Real-time transfer services: minutes instead of days

Several networks now move money between banks in minutes rather than hours or days. Zelle is the most widely used; it is built into the apps of most major banks and many credit unions. You send money through your bank's app to someone's email address or phone number, and the money arrives in minutes — usually within 30 minutes. Zelle transfers are free.

FedNow, launched by the Federal Reserve in 2023, is another real-time service that works between participating banks. RTP (Real-Time Payments) is a third network used by some banks and credit unions. Not all banks use all three services, so check whether both your sending and receiving banks are on the same network before you try to transfer.

Real-time transfers work best for moving money between your own accounts at different banks or sending money to someone you know. They are free at most banks, though a few charge a small fee. The main limitation is that both banks must participate in the same network — if one does not, you will need to use ACH or wire transfer instead.

How to find your bank's routing number and account number

To transfer money out of your account, you need to provide the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank. Your own bank's routing number appears on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it by logging into your bank's website or calling customer service. Your account number is the longer number on your checks, usually in the middle or on the right side.

If you are receiving a transfer, you will need to give the sender your bank's routing number and your account number. Never share your full account number with someone you do not trust, and never give out your PIN or online banking password. A legitimate transfer request will never ask for your password.

If you cannot find your routing number or account number, call your bank's customer service line — the number is on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Customer service can confirm both numbers in seconds.

Linking accounts for easier transfers

Most banks allow you to link external accounts — accounts at other banks that you own — directly through their app or website. Once linked, you can transfer money between them without entering routing numbers each time. The linking process usually takes one to two business days while the bank confirms you own both accounts.

To link an account, go to your bank's website or app, find the "Link Account" or "Add External Account" option, and enter the account number and routing number of the account you want to link. Your bank will then make two small deposits (usually under $1 each) into that account. You confirm the amounts in your bank's app, and the account is linked. After that, you can transfer money between them as often as you want.

Linked accounts make recurring transfers easier — for example, if you move money from a checking account to a savings account every month. The transfer still takes the same amount of time (one to three days for ACH, minutes for real-time services), but you do not have to look up routing numbers each time.

What to do if a transfer goes wrong

If money does not arrive after the expected time, log into your sending bank's app or website and check the transfer status. Most banks show whether the transfer is pending, completed, or failed. If it failed, the money should return to your account within one to three business days.

If a transfer is pending but the important date has passed, contact your sending bank's customer service. They can check whether the receiving bank has the money and help troubleshoot if there was an error in the routing number or account number. If you sent money to the wrong account by mistake, contact your bank when ready — they may be able to recall the transfer if it has not yet been processed, but once it completes, recovery is difficult and not always possible.

For wire transfers, call your bank right away if you realize you made a mistake. Wire transfers cannot be reversed after they are sent, but your bank may be able to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the funds. This works only if the receiving bank cooperates, so speed is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to transfer money between banks?

ACH transfers take one to three business days. Real-time services like Zelle move money in minutes. Wire transfers complete the same business day or next business day. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days, so a Friday transfer may not arrive until Tuesday.

Do I have to pay a fee to transfer money between banks?

ACH transfers are free at most banks, though some charge $1 to $3. Real-time transfers through Zelle, FedNow, or RTP are usually free. Wire transfers cost $15 to $30 at most banks. Check your bank's fee schedule or call customer service to confirm what you will be charged.

Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account?

Yes, you can send money to anyone's bank account using ACH, wire transfer, or real-time services like Zelle. For ACH and wire transfers, you need their account number and routing number. For Zelle, you need their email address or phone number if they are already enrolled, or you can send them an invitation to join.

What information do I need to transfer money out of my account?

For ACH and wire transfers, you need the receiving bank's routing number, the account number at that bank, and the account holder's name. For real-time services like Zelle, you usually just need the recipient's email or phone number. Never share your own account number with someone you do not trust.

Can I cancel a transfer after I send it?

For ACH transfers, you may be able to cancel if the transfer is still pending — contact your bank when ready. For wire transfers, cancellation is usually not possible once sent. For real-time transfers, it depends on the service and how much time has passed. Contact your bank as soon as you realize a mistake.