Wells fargo routing number direct deposit vs wire transfer

From setting up direct deposit to making ACH payments and wire transfers, you’ll need a routing number to complete many kinds of banking transactions. As a large national bank, Wells Fargo has a different routing number for each state, as well as different numbers for domestic and international wire transfers.

What Is a Routing Number?

A routing number is a nine-digit number banks and other financial institutions in the U.S. use to identify themselves. You can think of them as addresses that let other banks know where to find your money. The routing number you use depends on with which bank you have opened an account, and sometimes where your bank operates.

Routing numbers are also sometimes known as ABA numbers, routing transit numbers (RTNs) and check routing numbers.

What Are Routing Numbers Used For?

Routing numbers were created in 1910 by the American Bankers Association to help process paper checks and enable banks and credit unions to accurately process transactions between themselves and other financial institutions.

Routing numbers come in handy for various types of financial transactions. You’ll probably need to know your routing number if you want to:

• Set up automatic bill payments and direct deposit
• Pay with a check
• Make a wire transfer or ACH payment to someone in the U.S.
• Have payments like salary and pension deposited into your account

Different Types of Routing Numbers

In addition to standard ABA routing numbers, there are also different routing numbers used for domestic and international wire transfers.

Wells Fargo uses one domestic wire transfer routing number for wire transfers made within the U.S. So, no matter which state you or your bank account are in, it will be same number. Wells Fargo’s routing number for domestic wire transfers is 121000248.

For international wire transfers, the special type of routing number you’ll need is called a SWIFT code. Wells Fargo uses the same SWIFT code for all international wire transfers, for both sending to and receiving from an international bank account. Wells Fargo’s SWIFT code is WFBIUS6S.

The three types of routing numbers are:

• ABA: The standard routing number used for direct deposit, electronic bill payments and writing checks, among other transactions.
• Domestic Wire Transfer: The routing number used to send money to or receive money from another U.S. bank account (both accounts are domestic).
• International Wire Transfer (SWIFT code): The routing number used to send money from a U.S. bank account to a non-U.S. bank account, or vice-versa. This is called a SWIFT code. You'll need this in addition to the wire transfer routing number.

Wells Fargo Routing Numbers by State 

Wells Fargo ABA Routing Number by State (A-D)

Wells Fargo Routing & Account Number Info

Tips

• If you're a Wells Fargo customer with a bank account in Southern California, you may see a routing number printed on your checks different from the one listed in the above table. You should be able to successfully use either number in your transactions.

Wells Fargo ABA Routing Numbers by State (F-K)

Wells Fargo Routing & Account Number Info

Wells Fargo ABA Routing Numbers by State (L-M)

Wells Fargo Routing & Account Number Info

Wells Fargo ABA Routing Numbers by State (N-P)

Wells Fargo Routing & Account Number Info

Wells Fargo ABA Routing Number by State (R-W)

Wells Fargo Routing & Account Number Info

Wells Fargo ABA Routing Number (American Territories)

Wells Fargo Routing & Account Number Info

Wells Fargo Wire Transfers and Swift Code 

Wells Fargo Domestic & International Wire Transfer Routing Numbers

Wells Fargo Routing & Account Number Info

Locating Your Routing Number on a Check

The number to its right, on the bottom middle of your check, is your bank account number. The number on the bottom right is the number of the check itself. These three numbers will be separated by a symbol that looks like a colon used in punctuation, so it should be pretty easy to spot.

Other Ways to Find Your Routing Number

You can find your Wells Fargo routing number online. Wells Fargo has an online form you can fill out to find your correct routing number and account number. If you check your paper or online bank statement, you can find your routing number there, too.

You can also find your routing number online in the routing directory on the official website of the Federal Reserve.

If you’re not able to find your routing number online or you don’t have a check to look at, you can also call Wells Fargo customer service at 800-956-4442. After you give a few details to identify yourself, a representative can help you locate your routing number.

Information Needed for Wire Transfers

For domestic wire transfers, in addition to your domestic wire transfer number, you’ll need to know the following:

• The name of the person to whom you’re wiring funds as it appears on their account (the “beneficiary”)
• The beneficiary’s account number
• The routing number of the beneficiary’s bank
• The name and address of the beneficiary’s bank

For international wire transfers, in addition to your bank’s SWIFT code, you’ll need to know:

• The name of the person to whom you’re wiring funds as it appears on their bank account (the “beneficiary”)
• The SWIFT code of your beneficiary’s bank
• The beneficiary’s account number
• The name and address of the beneficiary’s bank
• The type of currency being sent
• The purpose of payment

Comparing Routing Numbers, SWIFT Codes, BIC and IBANS

Regular routing numbers are sometimes confused with SWIFT codes and other numbers like BIC codes and IBANs.

SWIFT codes, as you now know, are special routing numbers banks use to make international wire transfers. As it turns out, BIC codes are another name for SWIFT codes, short for “bank identifier” codes. So they’re actually the same thing.

IBANs are international bank account numbers, which identify individual bank accounts and are commonly used in Europe.

Learn More About Routing Numbers:

• What's My Bank of America Routing Number?
• Bank Account Routing Numbers on Checks
• How to Verify an ABA Routing Number
• The Differences Between Swift Codes and Routing Numbers
• How to Check That Routing Numbers Work
• How Do I Find an ABA Routing Number?
• How to Read the Check Account Routing Number

Learn More About Wire Transfers:

• Difference Between Wire Transfer & Electronic Transfer
• Cross Border Wire Transfer Requirements
• Bank Wire Transfer Process
• How Soon Can a Wire Transfer Be Available in My Checking Account?
• Can a Wire Transfer Bounce?
• How to Wire Transfer Online
• What Is a Wire Transfer Fee?
• What Is the Difference Between Direct Deposits & Wire Transfers?

Is direct deposit a wire transfer Wells Fargo?

What happens if I put direct deposit routing number instead of wire routing number?

Is the routing number different for wire transfers?

Which Wells Fargo routing number do I use for direct deposit?