How to Send Money to the UK From the United States

The main ways to transfer money to the UK

You can send money to the UK through a bank wire transfer, a money transfer service like Wise or OFX, your bank's international payment app, or a cash pickup service. Each method differs in speed, cost, and the exchange rate you receive. Bank wires are the slowest and often the most expensive. Money transfer specialists are usually faster and cheaper because they hold accounts in both countries and don't route your money through multiple banks. Your choice depends on how quickly you need the money there, how much you're sending, and whether the recipient has a UK bank account.

The recipient must have a UK bank account for nearly all transfers from the US. Cash pickup services are uncommon for UK transfers, so a bank account is the standard requirement. Before you choose a method, collect the recipient's full name, UK bank account number, and sort code — the 6-digit number that identifies their bank branch.

Key Takeaways

• Bank wires take 3 to 5 business days and charge $15 to $50 per transfer, but work with any UK bank account.
• Money transfer services like Wise and OFX typically deliver in 1 to 2 business days and charge lower fees, but require the recipient to have a UK bank account.
• You will need the recipient's full name, UK bank account number, and sort code (a 6-digit number that identifies their bank branch).
• Exchange rates vary by service and change throughout the day, so comparing rates before you transfer can save you money on larger amounts.
• For transfers over $2,000, money transfer services almost always cost less overall than a bank wire.

Bank wire transfers through your US bank

A bank wire is a direct transfer from your US bank account to a UK bank account. You initiate it at your bank's branch, online portal, or by phone. Your bank will ask for the recipient's full name, their UK bank account number (usually 8 digits), and their sort code (the 6-digit number that identifies which UK bank branch holds the account). You will also need the name and address of the UK bank itself.

Bank wires typically arrive in 3 to 5 business days. Your US bank charges a fee of $15 to $50 depending on the bank; the recipient's UK bank may also charge a small receiving fee. The exchange rate your bank uses is usually not competitive — banks add a markup to the mid-market rate, meaning you get fewer pounds for your dollars than you would through a specialist service. For amounts under $1,000, the fee often makes a wire transfer more expensive than alternatives.

The advantage of a bank wire is that it works with any UK bank account, even if the recipient has never used an international transfer service before. If speed is not critical and you need certainty that the transfer will go through, a wire is reliable. Your bank can also provide proof of the transfer, which is useful if you need documentation for tax or legal purposes.

Money transfer services: Wise, OFX, and others

Specialist money transfer services like Wise, OFX, Remitly, and MoneyGram hold bank accounts in both the US and UK. When you send money through them, you deposit funds into their US account, and they send money from their UK account to the recipient. This avoids the slow international routing that banks use, so transfers arrive in 1 to 2 business days instead of 3 to 5.

These services charge a flat fee (often $3 to $10) plus a small percentage of the amount you send, or sometimes just a percentage. The exchange rate they offer is much closer to the mid-market rate than banks provide, which saves money on larger transfers. For example, Wise advertises using the real mid-market exchange rate with no markup. You can see the exact fee and exchange rate before you confirm the transfer, so there are no surprises.

The trade-off is that the recipient must have a UK bank account. These services do not offer cash pickup in the UK the way they do in some other countries. You will need to set up an account with the service, provide proof of identity, and link your US bank account or debit card. The first transfer sometimes takes longer while the service verifies your identity, but subsequent transfers are faster.

Information you need before you transfer

Regardless of which method you choose, you must collect specific information from the recipient. Ask them for their full name exactly as it appears on their UK bank account, their account number (8 digits), and their sort code (6 digits). The sort code is printed on their debit card or bank statements, or they can find it on their bank's website by entering their account number.

You will also need the name of their bank and the bank's address. If you are using a money transfer service, the service usually has a dropdown menu of UK banks, so you can select the bank rather than typing the address. If you are using a bank wire, your bank will ask for the full address. Double-check the account number and sort code before you send the money. A mistake in either one can cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong account. Most services allow you to review all the details on a confirmation screen before the money leaves your account.

Exchange rates and how they affect the total you send

The exchange rate determines how many pounds the recipient gets for your dollars. The mid-market rate is the real rate you see on financial websites; it changes throughout the day. Banks and money transfer services do not use the mid-market rate directly — they add a markup or use a slightly older rate.

Bank markups range from 1% to 4% depending on the bank. A money transfer service markup is typically 0% to 2%. On a $1,000 transfer, a 2% difference in the rate means the recipient gets roughly £15 to £20 less. On a $5,000 transfer, the difference can be £75 to £100. You can compare rates by checking what each service quotes for the same amount on the same day, but rates change constantly, so the quote is only good for a limited time (usually 10 to 30 minutes).

Some services lock in a rate for a few hours if you pay a small fee, which can be worth it if you are sending a large amount and want to avoid rate changes while you arrange the funds. This feature is most useful when you know exactly how much you want to send but need time to gather the money.

Speed and timing of transfers

Bank wires take 3 to 5 business days because the money passes through multiple banks and clearing systems. Money transfer services take 1 to 2 business days because they control both the sending and receiving accounts. Same-day transfers are rare and usually only available for small amounts through certain services; they cost extra.

Timing also depends on when you send the money. If you initiate a transfer after your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. on a business day), it will not process until the next business day. Transfers sent on weekends or UK bank holidays will not arrive until the next business day in the UK. Money transfer services sometimes process transfers 24 hours a day, but the recipient's UK bank still only processes deposits during business hours.

If the recipient needs the money urgently, confirm the service's actual delivery time before you send. "1 to 2 business days" means the money should arrive by then, but it is not may provide on every transfer. Some services offer a money-back may provide if the transfer does not arrive on time, so check the terms.

Fees and costs compared

Method	Typical Fee	Exchange Rate	Delivery Time
Bank wire	$15–$50	Mid-market + 1–4% markup	3–5 business days
Wise	$3–$10 + 0.5–1%	Mid-market + 0%	1–2 business days
OFX	$0–$15 depending on amount	Mid-market + 0.5–1%	1–2 business days
MoneyGram	$5–$25	Mid-market + 1–3%	1–2 business days

The total cost of a transfer is the fee plus the loss from the exchange rate markup. On a $500 transfer, a bank wire might cost $25 in fees plus $10 to $20 in exchange rate loss, totaling $35 to $45. The same transfer through Wise might cost $5 in fees plus $2 to $3 in exchange rate loss, totaling $7 to $8. For small amounts, the difference is small in absolute terms, but the percentage is much higher.

For amounts over $2,000, money transfer services almost always cost less overall than a bank wire. For amounts under $500, the fee difference matters more, so compare the total cost before you choose. Use each service's online calculator to see the exact amount the recipient will receive, then compare across services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't know the recipient's sort code?

Ask them to check their debit card, bank statements, or their bank's website. Most UK banks have a tool where you enter the account number and it shows the sort code. If the recipient cannot find it, they can call their bank. Do not guess or use an old sort code — a wrong sort code will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong account.

Can I send money to a UK PayPal account or Revolut account?

Some money transfer services and banks allow transfers to digital wallets like Revolut or Wise accounts, but not all. Check with your chosen service first. If the recipient has a traditional UK bank account, that is the safest option because every service supports it.

What happens if the transfer fails or goes to the wrong account?

If a transfer fails, the money returns to your account within 5 to 10 business days. If it goes to the wrong account because of an error in the sort code or account number, contact your bank or the money transfer service when ready. They can sometimes recover the money, but it is not may provide. This is why checking the details before you send is critical.

Do I need to report large transfers to the IRS or UK authorities?

The US requires reporting of transfers over $10,000 to a foreign account on your tax return (FinCEN Form 114). The UK does not have a similar reporting requirement for incoming transfers. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure whether your transfer requires reporting.

Is it cheaper to use a credit card or debit card to fund the transfer?

Most money transfer services charge a higher fee if you use a credit card instead of a bank account or debit card. Bank accounts are usually free or cheapest. If you must use a credit card, compare the credit card fee to the savings from a better exchange rate — sometimes the trade-off is worth it, sometimes not.