Routing Number vs. Account Number: A UK Guide

The UK doesn’t use routing numbers. UK bank accounts use a six-digit sort code and an eight-digit account number for domestic payments, plus a SWIFT code/BIC and IBAN for international transfers. If a US platform asks for a routing number, you’ll usually provide these UK details instead.

This guide covers what a routing number is, how UK bank account details work, and what to do when asked for a routing number you don’t have. Sending money internationally? A service like Remitly can convert between UK and US-style bank details for you.

At a glance

The UK doesn’t use routing numbers; sort codes and account numbers serve the same domestic purpose.
For international transfers, UK residents use an IBAN (22 characters, starting with GB) alongside a SWIFT code/BIC.
If a US employer, freelancing platform, or service asks for a routing number, you can usually provide your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC instead.
Sharing your sort code and account number with trusted organisations is normal and safe; these details alone can’t be used to withdraw your money.

What is a routing number? (And do UK banks use them?)

UK banks do not use routing numbers. Routing numbers, also known as ABA numbers, are nine-digit codes used exclusively within the US banking system to identify a bank and branch, as defined by the American Bankers Association. The ABA routing number UK equivalent is the sort code, which performs the same job for domestic payments.

The table below compares the two side by side.

Feature	US routing number	UK sort code
Format	9 digits	6 digits
Identifies	The bank and branch	The bank and branch
Used for	Domestic ACH and wire transfers within the US	Domestic payments via Faster Payments, Bacs, and CHAPS
Paired with	A US bank account number	A UK account number (8 digits)

Understanding UK bank account details: sort code, account number, IBAN, and SWIFT/BIC

UK bank account details explained: your account uses up to four details, depending on whether a payment is domestic or international. Domestic transfers use your sort code and account number, moved via Faster Payments, Bacs, or CHAPS; international transfers use your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC instead, per Pay.UK. Here’s a worked example:

Sort code: 12-34-56
Account number: 12345678
IBAN: GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19
SWIFT/BIC: NWBKGB2L

In short, sort code vs. account number UK covers domestic payments, while IBAN vs sort code comes down to domestic versus international.

Sort code

A sort code is a six-digit number identifying your bank and branch. It’s used alongside your account number for domestic payments via Faster Payments, Bacs, and CHAPS, and appears on your debit card, statements, and online banking. Our guide on what a sort code is breaks this down further.

Account number

An account number is an eight-digit number identifying your specific account. It’s always used with your sort code, since the account number alone doesn’t identify which bank holds it. Together, the two numbers are all that’s needed for domestic UK transfers.

IBAN (International Bank Account Number)

A UK IBAN is a 22-character code beginning with ‘GB’, followed by two check digits, a four-character bank identifier, and your sort code and account number combined. It identifies your account for international transfers, and the 22-character format remains current as of 2026. See our guide on what an IBAN is for more.

SWIFT code/BIC

A SWIFT code/BIC is an 8 to 11-character code identifying your bank for international wire transfers, used alongside your IBAN rather than instead of it. The IBAN points to your specific account, while the SWIFT code/BIC tells the sending bank which institution to route the payment to. See SWIFT codes vs IBAN for a closer comparison.

When would a UK resident need a routing number?

A UK resident would need a routing number, or a workaround for one, in a handful of situations, all involving a US-based employer, platform, or bank. The three most common scenarios:

Receiving payment from a US employer. If a US company asks for your routing number for direct deposit, you generally can’t provide one, since UK accounts don’t have them. Instead, give your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC and let the employer’s payroll provider know the payment is going to a UK account. Most US payroll systems can handle international bank details.
Freelancing platforms like Upwork or Payoneer. Some platforms are built around the US banking system and prompt users for a routing number during setup. Look for an option labelled ‘international bank account,’ which will ask for your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC instead. Some, including Payoneer, can also issue local US bank details that route payments to your UK account automatically.
Sending money to a US account. If you’re sending money from the UK to someone with a US bank account, you’ll need their routing number and account number, rather than the other way around. A service such as Remitly can handle this conversion, accepting your UK details and delivering funds using the recipient’s US routing and account numbers.

How to find your UK bank details (sort code, account number, IBAN, and SWIFT/BIC)

If you’re wondering how to find routing number UK equivalent details for your own account, the quickest way is through your banking app. Here’s where to look for each one:

Open your banking app and check the account summary or ‘account details’ section, where your sort code and account number are usually shown together.
Log into your online banking portal on a desktop browser if you don’t have the app; the same details typically appear on the account overview page.
Check a recent bank statement, where your sort code and account number appear near the top.
Look at your debit card, which usually has your sort code printed on the front.
For your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC, check your banking app or online portal under ‘international payment details.’ If you can’t find them, your bank’s customer service team or an IBAN calculator tool can generate them from your sort code and account number.

Yes, sharing your account number and sort code with trusted organisations, such as an employer or utility provider, is normal, safe, and often necessary for receiving UK bank payments. These details don’t normally let someone access your online banking or make ordinary transfers from your account. Even so, only share them with trusted parties and keep an eye on your account for unauthorised activity.

The more relevant risk is authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where someone is tricked into transferring money themselves, often by a scammer posing as a bank, retailer, or family member. UK Finance publishes regular data on the scale of this fraud. Since October 2024, the Payment Systems Regulator’s (PSR) mandatory reimbursement rule has required banks to reimburse eligible APP fraud victims, up to a cap of £85,000 per claim. Our guide on common money transfer scams covers the tactics to watch for, and two-factor authentication adds another layer of defence.

Don’t confuse this with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects eligible deposits, not fraud losses, up to £120,000 per person, per authorised firm since 1 December 2025, if a bank, building society, or credit union fails. If you’re ever unsure whether you’re covered, our guide on whether banks refund scammed money explains how that works.

FAQs

Does the UK use routing numbers?

No, the UK doesn’t use routing numbers, which are specific to the US banking system. UK bank accounts are instead identified using a six-digit sort code and an eight-digit account number for domestic payments, or an IBAN and SWIFT/BIC code for international transfers.

What’s the UK equivalent of a routing number?

The closest UK equivalent is the sort code, a six-digit number identifying a bank and branch. For international transfers, the SWIFT/BIC serves a similar function, though it’s used alongside an IBAN rather than an account number.

What should I give instead of a routing number?

If you’re asked for a routing number and have a UK bank account, provide your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC code instead. Most US payroll systems, freelancing platforms, and banks can process payments to international accounts using these details.

How many digits does a UK account number have?

A UK bank account number has eight digits, always used together with your six-digit sort code, since the account number alone doesn’t identify which bank or branch holds it. Both appear together on your statement and in your banking app.

How do I find my UK IBAN?

You can usually find your IBAN in your banking app or online portal, often listed under international payment details. If it isn’t shown, your bank’s customer service team can provide it, or generate it from your sort code and account number using an IBAN calculator.

What’s the difference between a SWIFT code and an IBAN?

An IBAN identifies your specific account for international transfers, while a SWIFT/BIC identifies your bank. The two work together: the SWIFT/BIC tells the sending bank which institution to route the payment to, and the IBAN tells it exactly which account the money should land in.

Can someone withdraw money with just my sort code and account number?

Your sort code and account number alone are generally not enough for someone to access your bank account or make a transfer from it. Even so, it’s worth only sharing them with trusted people and organisations, and checking your account regularly for unauthorised activity.

Key takeaways

The UK doesn’t use routing numbers; sort codes and account numbers handle domestic payments instead.
Domestic transfers need a six-digit sort code and an eight-digit account number, moved via Faster Payments, Bacs, or CHAPS.
International transfers need a 22-character UK IBAN and a SWIFT/BIC code, used together, not interchangeably.
If a US employer or platform asks for a routing number, your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC are usually an accepted workaround.
Sharing your sort code and account number with trusted organisations is safe; the PSR’s £85,000 rule covers APP fraud, while the FSCS’s separate £120,000 limit covers deposits if a bank fails.

Getting your UK bank details right for international payments

Once you know which details go where, routing numbers stop being a source of confusion. Keep your sort code and account number handy for UK payments, and your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC ready for anything international. If you’re sending money from the UK to a US bank account, Remitly can convert your UK details into the recipient’s US routing and account numbers automatically, see our guide on sending an international bank transfer online for more.