What you need before you start a wire transfer

A wire transfer moves money directly from your bank account to someone else's bank account. You cannot reverse it once it leaves your bank, so you need the recipient's correct information before you begin. Most wire transfers take one business day, though some arrive the same day if sent early enough.

Gather these details about the person or business receiving the money: their full name, bank name, account number, and routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies their bank). If the recipient is outside the United States, you will also need their International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or SWIFT code instead of a routing number. Ask the recipient directly for this information — do not guess or use an old statement.

You will also need to know how much you are sending. Wire transfer fees vary by bank, typically between $15 and $50 for a domestic transfer and $25 to $75 for an international one. Some banks charge the sender; others charge the recipient. Ask your bank what the fee is before you confirm the transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Wire transfers cannot be reversed after your bank sends them, so verify the recipient's account number and routing number directly with them before starting.
  • You can initiate a wire transfer through your bank's website, mobile app, phone line, or by visiting a branch in person.
  • Domestic wire transfers usually arrive within one business day; international transfers may take three to five business days.
  • Your bank will charge a fee for the transfer, which ranges from $15 to $75 depending on whether it is domestic or international and which bank you use.
  • Keep your wire transfer confirmation number and receipt for your records in case you need to track the transfer or dispute it later.

How to send a wire transfer through your bank's website or app

Most banks let you start a wire transfer from your online banking portal or mobile app. Log in to your account and look for a link labeled "Send Money," "Wire Transfer," or "Payments." Click it and select "Wire Transfer" as the transfer type.

Enter the recipient's information in the fields provided: their name, bank name, account number, and routing number. Double-check each field against the information the recipient gave you — a single wrong digit in the account number will send the money to the wrong person. Some banks will verify the account holder's name automatically; if yours does, make sure the name matches what you entered.

Enter the amount you want to send. The system will show you the fee your bank charges and the total that will leave your account. Review this total before you proceed. Then select the date you want the transfer to go out — most banks process wire transfers submitted before 2 p.m. on the same business day, while transfers submitted after that time go out the next business day.

Click "Confirm" or "Submit." Your bank will send you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have to track the transfer or contact your bank about it later.

Sending a wire transfer by phone or in person

If you do not use online banking or prefer to speak with someone, call your bank's customer service line and ask to send a wire transfer. Have the recipient's information and the amount ready when you call. The representative will walk you through the same steps: entering the recipient's name, bank, account number, and routing number, and confirming the amount and fee.

You can also visit a branch in person and ask a teller to send a wire transfer. Bring a photo ID and the recipient's banking information. The teller will fill out a wire transfer form with you, show you the fee, and process the transfer on the spot. You will receive a receipt with a confirmation number.

Phone and in-person transfers take slightly longer to process than online transfers because the bank has to enter the information manually. Ask when your bank processes wire transfers — most do so during business hours, so a transfer you request at 4 p.m. on Friday will not go out until Monday morning.

What happens after you send the wire transfer

Once your bank sends the wire transfer, the money leaves your account when ready. The recipient's bank receives the transfer and deposits it into their account. For transfers within the United States, this usually happens within one business day. For international transfers, it can take three to five business days because the money passes through multiple banks and currency conversion may be involved.

Your bank will send you a confirmation email or text with the confirmation number and details of the transfer. Keep this message. If the recipient says they did not receive the money after the expected time, you will need the confirmation number to track it down.

The recipient should see the money in their account within the timeframe your bank quoted. If they do not, have them contact their bank to confirm the transfer arrived. Their bank can see incoming wire transfers even if they have not been deposited yet.

How to track a wire transfer if it does not arrive

If the recipient has not received the money by the time your bank said it would arrive, contact your bank when ready. Have your confirmation number ready. Your bank can check whether the transfer was sent and, if it was, ask the recipient's bank whether it arrived.

If your bank finds that the transfer was sent but the recipient's bank did not receive it, the money is usually still in transit. Your bank will tell you to wait another business day or two. If the transfer was sent to the wrong bank or account number, your bank may be able to recall it, but this is not always possible — it depends on whether the recipient's bank has already processed it.

If the transfer was sent to the wrong account and cannot be recalled, you will need to contact the recipient's bank directly and ask them to return the funds. This process can take weeks. This is why verifying the account number before you send is so important.

Wire transfer limits and restrictions

Most banks set a daily limit on how much you can wire transfer online — this might be $5,000, $10,000, or higher depending on your bank and account type. If you need to send more than your limit, you can request a higher limit through your bank's website or by calling customer service. Some banks will increase your limit temporarily for a single transfer.

If you want to send more than your online limit and do not want to request an increase, you can send the transfer by phone or in person. Tellers can sometimes process larger transfers than the online system allows.

Banks are required to report wire transfers of $10,000 or more to the federal government as part of anti-money-laundering rules. This is routine and does not mean anything is wrong with your transfer. Your bank will not stop the transfer because of this report.

Common mistakes to avoid when sending a wire transfer

The most common mistake is sending money to the wrong account number. A single digit wrong sends the money to a stranger's account, and you may not be able to get it back. Always ask the recipient to confirm their account number and routing number in writing — by email, text, or a bank statement they send you. Do not rely on a phone conversation where you might mishear a number.

Another mistake is sending the transfer and then when ready telling the recipient to expect it, only to find out you entered their information wrong. Wait until the recipient confirms they received the money before you tell them the transfer is on the way. If something goes wrong, you will have time to catch it.

Do not assume a wire transfer is free. Ask your bank what the fee is before you send. Some people send $500 expecting the recipient to receive $500, only to find out their bank charged $25 and the recipient got $475.

Do not wire money to someone you do not know or trust, especially if they are pressuring you to send it quickly. Wire transfers cannot be reversed, so scammers use them to steal money. If someone you do not know is asking you to wire them money, it is almost certainly a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?

It depends on how quickly you act. If you contact your bank within a few minutes of sending the transfer, before it has been processed, your bank may be able to stop it. Once the transfer has been sent to the recipient's bank, it usually cannot be stopped. Call your bank when ready if you need to cancel — do not wait.

What is the difference between a wire transfer and an ACH transfer?

A wire transfer moves money directly between banks and usually arrives within one business day. An ACH transfer is slower (typically three to five business days) but cheaper or free. Wire transfers cannot be reversed; ACH transfers sometimes can be. Use a wire transfer when you need money to arrive quickly or when you are sending a large amount. Use ACH for routine payments where speed does not matter.

Do I need to tell the IRS about a wire transfer I sent?

No. The IRS does not track individual wire transfers you send. Your bank reports wire transfers of $10,000 or more to the government as part of standard reporting rules, but this does not create a tax obligation for you. If the money you wired is income you earned, you report that income on your tax return — the wire transfer itself is just how you moved money you already reported.

What if the recipient's bank rejects the wire transfer?

If the recipient's bank rejects the transfer because the account number is wrong or the account is closed, the money returns to your bank. Your bank will notify you and deposit the money back into your account, usually within five to seven business days. You will not be charged a fee for a rejected transfer in most cases, though some banks do charge one.

Can I wire money internationally from my personal bank account?

Yes, most banks allow international wire transfers from personal accounts. You will need the recipient's IBAN or SWIFT code instead of a routing number, and the fee is higher than a domestic transfer. International transfers also take longer — usually three to five business days. Ask your bank whether they have a minimum amount for international transfers; some banks do not wire amounts under $100 or $500 internationally.