How to Move Money Between Your Bank Accounts

The fastest way depends on whether the banks are the same or different

If both accounts are at the same bank, you can usually move money between them in minutes through your online banking portal, mobile app, or by calling the bank. If the accounts are at different banks, the transfer takes one to three business days and requires either your receiving account number or the other bank's routing number. The method you choose — ACH transfer, wire transfer, or a third-party service — depends on how fast you need the money and whether you're moving a small amount or a large one.

Transfers between your own accounts are simpler than sending money to someone else because you control both accounts and have access to all the information you need. You won't face verification delays or questions about the purpose of the transfer.

Key Takeaways

• Same-bank transfers between your own accounts happen when ready or within hours through your online banking portal or app.
• Different-bank transfers using ACH (Automated Clearing House) take one to three business days and are free or low-cost.
• Wire transfers move money the same day but cost $15 to $50 and are harder to reverse if you make a mistake.
• You will need either the receiving account number and routing number, or the recipient's name and bank details, depending on the transfer type.
• Same-bank transfers are free, while ACH transfers between banks typically cost nothing or $1 to $3.

Transferring money between accounts at the same bank

Log into your online banking portal or mobile app and look for a link labeled "Transfer Funds," "Move Money," or "Between My Accounts." Select the account you're sending from and the account you're sending to, enter the amount, and confirm. The money usually appears in the receiving account within minutes to a few hours, even if it's a savings account and a checking account.

If you don't use online banking, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your card. Tell them you want to transfer money between two of your own accounts, give them the account numbers and the amount, and they will process it over the phone. Ask whether the transfer will be when ready or if it will take a business day. Same-bank transfers are always free, with no fees, no routing numbers needed, and no waiting period beyond a few hours.

ACH transfers between different banks

ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, and it's the standard way to move money between banks. You initiate the transfer through your sending bank's website or app, enter the receiving bank's routing number and your account number at that bank, and the money arrives in one to three business days. ACH transfers are free or cost $1 to $3 if your bank charges a fee for outgoing transfers.

To find the receiving bank's routing number, visit the bank's website (usually listed under "routing number" or "bank details"), call the bank directly, or ask the person who holds the account. The routing number is a nine-digit code specific to each bank and branch. You will also need the account number at the receiving bank — this is the number printed on checks or visible in that bank's online portal. ACH transfers are slower than wire transfers but free and reversible. If you enter the wrong account number, you can contact your bank and potentially stop the transfer before it clears.

Wire transfers for same-day or next-day movement

A wire transfer moves money the same business day or by the next morning, depending on what time you send it and whether the receiving bank processes it when ready. Wire transfers cost $15 to $50 depending on your bank and whether you're sending money domestically (within the United States) or internationally. Some banks charge less for outgoing wires and more for incoming wires.

To send a wire, call your bank or log into your online banking portal and look for "Wire Transfer" or "Send Money." You will need the receiving bank's routing number, the account number, the account holder's name, and the receiving bank's name and address. Double-check every detail before confirming — wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once they leave your bank, and if you send money to the wrong account, you may not recover it. Wire transfers make sense when you need money to arrive the same day, when you're sending a large amount and want to avoid the three-day ACH window, or when the receiving bank is outside the United States.

Using your bank's bill pay or transfer service

Many banks offer a bill pay feature that can also move money to another bank account. Log into your online banking portal, select "Bill Pay" or "Pay a Bill," and enter the receiving bank account as a payee. You can then schedule a payment to that account, and the bank sends the money via ACH. This method works well if you transfer money on a regular schedule — you can set it up once and repeat it monthly or weekly.

Bill pay transfers take the same one to three business days as a standard ACH transfer and cost nothing. The main difference is that you're using your bank's bill pay system rather than a direct transfer option. Some people find this easier to track because the payment appears in their bill pay history rather than in a separate transfer log.

Third-party apps and services

Services like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Wise can move money between banks, but they are designed for sending money to other people, not for transferring between your own accounts. If you use these services to move your own money, you will typically link both bank accounts to the service, transfer money into the service's account, and then withdraw it to your other bank account. This takes longer than a direct bank transfer and may involve fees.

The exception is Wise (formerly TransferWise), which specializes in moving money between your own accounts at different banks and is particularly useful for international transfers. Wise charges a small percentage fee and often offers better exchange rates than banks do if you're converting currency. For domestic transfers between your own U.S. bank accounts, a direct ACH transfer through your bank is simpler and free.

What information you need before you start

Before you initiate any transfer, gather the following details about the receiving account: the account number, the receiving bank's name, and the receiving bank's routing number. If you're transferring to your own account at another bank, you have all this information. If you're transferring to someone else's account, ask them for the routing number and account number, and confirm the account holder's name matches what they tell you.

Write down the amount you're transferring and the date you're sending it. Keep this information until the transfer clears and you see the money in the receiving account. If something goes wrong, you'll have a record of what you sent and when. This documentation is especially important for wire transfers, which are harder to reverse.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is entering the wrong account number or routing number. Double-check both numbers before you confirm the transfer. If you're copying the routing number from a website, verify it by calling the bank directly — scam websites sometimes list fake routing numbers. If you're getting the number from a person, ask them to confirm it by reading it back to you.

Another mistake is assuming a transfer is when ready when it's not. ACH transfers take one to three business days, and weekends and holidays don't count as business days. If you need money by a specific date, send it at least three business days early. Wire transfers are faster but cost money, so use them only when speed matters.

Finally, don't assume a transfer has failed just because you don't see it when ready. Check your sending account to confirm the money left, then wait the full time window (usually three business days for ACH) before contacting your bank. Most transfers that seem to have disappeared straightforward haven't cleared yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it actually take for money to show up?

ACH transfers take one to three business days from the time you send them. Same-bank transfers take minutes to a few hours. Wire transfers take the same business day if you send before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m.), or the next business day if you send after. Weekends and federal holidays don't count as business days.

What happens if I send money to the wrong account number?

For ACH transfers, contact your bank when ready and ask them to recall the transfer. If the money hasn't cleared yet, they can stop it. If it has cleared, the receiving bank may be able to reverse it, but this depends on the receiving bank's policies. Wire transfers are much harder to reverse — call your bank right away, but be prepared that the money may be gone.

Can I transfer money on a weekend?

You can initiate a transfer on a weekend through your online banking portal or app, but the bank won't process it until the next business day. If you schedule a transfer for Saturday, it will actually send on Monday. If you need money by a specific date, account for this delay.

Do I need to tell the other bank I'm receiving a transfer?

No. If you're transferring to your own account at another bank, the receiving bank will straightforward deposit the money when it arrives. You don't need to notify them in advance. If you're receiving money from someone else, you also don't need to do anything — just make sure you gave them the correct account number and routing number.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer?

ACH transfers have limits that vary by bank, typically ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 per day or per transfer. Wire transfers usually have higher limits or no limit at all. Check your bank's website or call customer service to find out what your specific limits are. If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can make multiple transfers on different days or use a wire transfer.