Where do I find sort code?

It’s typically printed on the front of a debit card, listed on a bank statement, or shown in a banking app under account details. If none of these are accessible, the bank can confirm it directly.

Is the sort code the same as a routing number?

They serve a similar purpose, identifying the bank for a transfer, but they belong to different banking systems. This code is used in the U.K., while a routing number is used in the United States. They aren’t interchangeable, and using one where the other is required won’t work.

Do I need both numbers, or just one?

Both are needed. The code identifies the specific bank and branch, while the account number identifies the individual account at that branch. A transfer typically can’t be completed with only one of the two.

Does Ireland still use sort codes the same way as the U.K.?

Not exactly. While Ireland historically used a similar system, its shift to the euro and the wider adoption of SEPA and IBAN across the eurozone means Irish banks now rely primarily on IBAN for both domestic and international transfers. A U.K. account is still far more likely to be identified by a traditional sort code and account number pairing.

Back to Glossary

How to find and use a U.K. bank sort code

Key takeaways
- A six-digit number identifies a specific bank and branch in the U.K., used alongside an eight-digit account number for a transfer.
- It’s typically written as three pairs of digits, such as 12-34-56.
- It can usually be found on a bank card, a statement, or in a banking app.
- This system is U.K.-specific; Ireland has shifted more toward the IBAN format since adopting the euro.
- The United States and most of continental Europe use different systems entirely, such as routing numbers or an IBAN.

If sending money to a U.K. bank account, the recipient’s sort code will be needed alongside their account number. Here’s what it identifies, and exactly where to find it.

What is a sort code?

A sort code is a six-digit number used in the U.K. to identify a specific bank and branch. It’s typically written as three pairs of digits separated by hyphens, such as 12-34-56, and works together with an eight-digit account number to direct a payment to the correct account. Pay.UK, which administers the system⁠(opens in new window) on behalf of the payments industry, maintains the central directory that banks use to validate and route payments using these codes.

Where to find and use one

The most common places to check are a bank card, a statement, or a banking app. Remitly’s own guide walks through each of these⁠(opens in new window) in more detail, including how the format compares to a SWIFT code for transfers reaching further afield. Whatever the source, both the code and the account number should be copied exactly as shown, since transposing even one digit can delay or misdirect a payment. Contacting the bank directly is always an option too, if none of the usual sources are on hand.

Common mistakes

Mixing up the two numbers. Because both are numeric, it’s easy to enter one in the wrong field, particularly if a recipient reads them out of order.
Missing a digit when transcribing by hand. It should always be exactly six digits; anything shorter or longer suggests an error.
Assuming the format works outside the U.K. Other countries use different systems, such as an IBAN⁠(opens in new window) across much of continental Europe or a routing number⁠(opens in new window) in the United States.

Why it matters for international money transfers

This system plays the same essential role for U.K. bank transfers that a routing number plays in the United States: it identifies the bank and branch, while the account number identifies the specific account. Both pieces of information are typically required together to complete a bank deposit transfer to a U.K. account.

It’s worth being precise about Ireland here, since the two countries are often grouped together but have diverged. Since adopting the euro, Ireland’s own banking system has shifted primarily toward the IBAN format for both domestic and international transfers, so a recipient there is more likely to be asked for their IBAN than a traditional sort code and account number pairing. The U.K., which uses the pound rather than the euro, has kept the sort code system as its primary domestic standard.

If a recipient is in a country that uses IBAN instead, most of continental Europe and increasingly Ireland, the sort code system won’t apply, and the IBAN should be requested instead.

How this connects to a U.K. IBAN

For international transfers into a U.K. account, most banks now ask for the account’s IBAN rather than the sort code and account number separately. This isn’t a separate, unrelated number: a U.K. IBAN is built by embedding the existing sort code and account number inside a standardized format, alongside a country code and check digits. Understanding this connection helps explain why the two systems aren’t really competitors, one is simply the domestic building block that the other repackages for international use. It also means a U.K. bank’s own domestic code doesn’t disappear once an account gets an IBAN; it’s still there, just wrapped inside a longer international format.

Common questions about sort codes

Where do I find sort code?

It’s typically printed on the front of a debit card, listed on a bank statement, or shown in a banking app under account details. If none of these are accessible, the bank can confirm it directly.
Is the sort code the same as a routing number?

They serve a similar purpose, identifying the bank for a transfer, but they belong to different banking systems. This code is used in the U.K., while a routing number is used in the United States. They aren’t interchangeable, and using one where the other is required won’t work.
Do I need both numbers, or just one?

Both are needed. The code identifies the specific bank and branch, while the account number⁠(opens in new window) identifies the individual account at that branch. A transfer typically can’t be completed with only one of the two.
Does Ireland still use sort codes the same way as the U.K.?

Not exactly. While Ireland historically used a similar system, its shift to the euro and the wider adoption of SEPA and IBAN across the eurozone means Irish banks now rely primarily on IBAN for both domestic and international transfers. A U.K. account is still far more likely to be identified by a traditional sort code and account number pairing.

In Summary

A sort code is a small but essential piece of information for sending money to a U.K. bank account, working alongside an account number to make sure a transfer lands in the right place. Confirming both numbers directly with a recipient, rather than relying on memory, helps reduce the risk of a delay or a misdirected transfer.

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant, or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date.