Send money with routing and account number 101

Need to make a payment to a US bank or credit union account? You might be wondering how to send money using an account and routing number, and which providers and services you can use to get your money moving.

In this guide we’ll look at how to send money with an account and routing number, including providers like Wise that you can choose for local and international payments.

What are routing and account numbers?

Let’s start at the beginning — what are routing and account numbers?

Routing and account numbers are important when sending payments from one bank to another in the US. The routing number is a 9 digit code which shows which bank or credit union your account is held with. The account number then shows your own specific account, so the payment can be securely deposited.

A routing number may also be called a RTN (routing transit number) or an ABA (American Bankers Association) routing number.

Routing numbers are used when making payments in and to the US. Other countries have their own equivalents, such as a sort code in the UK, or a CLABE in Mexico.

When you send payments to other countries, you’ll need to check the specific details needed for that destination to make sure your transfer can go through smoothly.

Can you send money with a routing and account number?

Yes. Routing and account numbers are important in the process of sending payments in the US.

A routing number is used so the sending bank knows which financial institution the recipient’s account is held by, and the account number is unique to that account.

Using both of these pieces of information, plus some extra details like the account holder’s name, banks can securely transfer money between accounts.

Advantages and disadvantages of sending money with an account and routing number

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Secure and well established system Local US payments may arrive quickly Send through different methods like ACH and wire	You’ll need to get the recipient’s full details to be able to process the payment You may need to pay a fee to send money through routing and account numbers

Which types of payments can you make with just a routing and account number?

You’ll often need a routing and account number, as well as a few extra details like the account holder’s name, when you send a payment to a bank account in the US.

Types of payment can include ACH transfers and bank wires, arranged through either your own bank or credit union, or through a third party service.

Wondering what's the best transfer type for you? Check our wire vs ACH comparison

How to send money using an account and routing number: step by step

Ready to send your payment? While the exact process to send money to an account and routing number may vary based on the service you decide to use, the basic steps are usually similar.

Here’s what you’ll need to do to send money using an account and routing number:

Step 1. Pick the service you want to use to send your payment

Step 2. Gather the recipient’s details — including full name, account and routing number

Step 3. Create an account if using a third party service, or log into your bank’s online banking network

Step 4. Navigate to the payments area

Step 5. Enter the amount you want to transfer

Step 6. Add the recipient’s details and double check everything is correct

Step 7. Confirm — you may need to complete a verification step for security

Often if you’ve sent money to a particular recipient or account before, your bank or preferred third party transfer service will securely retain the details on file for you.

That means you will be able to find the recipient by logging into your account, and won’t need to re-enter all their account information a second time.

Which providers can you use to send money with a routing and account number?

Let’s look at a few different options you might consider to send money to a bank account using a routing and account number. We’ve included a few international services too, in case you want to make a payment overseas using the equivalent of a routing number in the destination country.

Send through your Bank

Fees: ACH transfers can be fairly cheap, bank wires tend to cost more
Delivery time: Domestic US wires can arrive very quickly, US ACH transfers can take a day or two, international wires may take several days

The most obvious option to send money with a routing and account number might be to use your own bank or credit union’s online or mobile banking service.

The fees for sending a payment through your bank can vary somewhat, but usually sending a local payment via the ACH network is a cheaper option compared to sending a wire.

If you’re making an international transfer it helps to know that bank international wire fees can be on the high side.

Customers may be able to get lower overall costs — including a better exchange rate — by choosing a specialist international transfer service.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Familiar and reliable service Some payments can be very fast to arrive	Fees can apply, depending on the transfer type Currency conversion costs can apply if you’re sending internationally

Wise

Fees: Low fixed fees for local USD transfers which vary by transfer method, international transfer fees from 0.41%¹
Delivery time: Many Wise payments are fast or even instant²

Wise is a specialist in local and international transfers which are deposited right into your recipient’s bank account for convenience.

You can send money with the routing and account number of your recipient, and pay by ACH, wire or card. If you’re sending to the US there’s a low fixed fee based on the way you want to pay.

You can also send money overseas with Wise — international transfers use the mid-market exchange rate and have currency conversion costs which start as low as 0.41%.

Get a Wise account

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Transfers can be fast or instant Low fees for both local and international payments	No cash payment option Fees vary based on the details of your transfer

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing_ for the most up to date pricing and fee information

Western Union

Fees: Variable fees based on transfer type and destination
Delivery time: Transfers to a bank account take 2 to 5 days³

Western Union®⁴ is one of the best known money transfer services in the world, and offers options to send payments to a bank account using an account and routing number.

You’ll be able to set up your payment online, in the Western Union app, or by visiting an agent location.

Online you can pay by card or from your own bank, and if you’d prefer to pay in cash you can visit an agent to get your payment set up that way.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Well known and established brand Good selection of ways to set up and pay for your transfer	Fees apply which vary based on the way you arrange your payment Exchange rate markups can be used when sending overseas

MoneyGram

Fees: Variable fees based on the transfer type
Delivery time: From 1 hour to 1 day usually⁵

MoneyGram®⁶ customers can send payments from the US to bank accounts around the world using account and routing numbers, or the local equivalent in the destination country.

Delivery times and fees vary based on where you’re sending money to, but for some payments your money may be deposited in under an hour. Send to 50 countries, with variable fees based on destination.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Well known, easy to use service Fast delivery times in some destinations	Fees apply When sending overseas, exchange rate markups may be used

Not sure what's the best provider for your international money needs? Check out the comparison table below:

Common questions about transferring money with routing and account numbers

Let’s look at a few more common issues and how to solve them.

How do you find your account and routing numbers?

You can find your own account and routing number by logging into your online or mobile banking service, on a bank statement, or by looking on a check.

You may need to confirm the routing and account information with your own bank if you’re getting it from a check, just to be sure, but it’s common to find your routing number printed first at the bottom of a check, followed by your account number, and finally the check’s own individual number.

Is it safe to send money with a routing and account number?

Routing and account numbers are used to make sure that transfers from one bank account to another can be securely processed.

It’s a safe way to send money — but you’ll need to double check that all the details you have are correct before you confirm the payment, just to be on the safe side.

What information do you need to send money with routing and account numbers?

Usually if you’re sending a payment in the US you’ll need the name of the recipient, as well as their routing and account numbers.

For international payments you’ll normally need the recipient’s name, their account number, and the equivalent of a routing number in that country. You’ll also need the recipient's bank BIC/SWIFT for overseas SWIFT payments.

Can you send money abroad using a routing and account number?

Routing numbers are specific to the US so can’t be used for overseas transfers. However, there are equivalents in most countries, such as a sort code in the UK or a CLABE in Mexico.

How long does it take to send money with routing and account numbers?

When you’re sending a payment to be deposited into a bank account directly, the delivery time will vary based on the country and currency you’re sending to, the way the payment is processed, and in some cases how you prefer to pay.

Check with your preferred provider or your own bank before you make your transfer, so you know what to expect.

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Sending a payment with a routing and account number — or the equivalent in the destination country if you’re sending overseas — should be pretty simple and safe.

You’ll be able to choose between sending money with your normal bank, or using a specialist third party provider, like Wise, which can help you set up your transfer online or in-app for a fast delivery.

Learn more about Wise

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Sources:

1. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
2. The speed of transaction claim depends on funds availability, approval by Wise's proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners' banking system, and may not be available for all transactions
3. WU help — when will my money arrive
4. Western Union
5. MoneyGram help — when will my money arrive
6. MoneyGram

Sources checked on 04.27.2023