How to Send an ACH Payment: Step-by-Step

What an ACH payment is and how to send one

An ACH payment moves money from one bank account to another through the Automated Clearing House network — a system run by the Federal Reserve that processes millions of transfers daily. To send one, you need the recipient's name, routing number, and account number. You initiate the transfer through your own bank's website, mobile app, or by phone, and the money typically arrives in one to three business days.

Unlike a wire transfer, which moves money the same day, ACH is slower but cheaper and more reversible. You can send ACH payments to pay bills, transfer money to another person's account, or send funds to a business. The process is the same whether you're paying a utility company, sending rent to a landlord, or moving money between your own accounts at different banks.

Key Takeaways

• You initiate an ACH payment through your bank's online banking portal, mobile app, or by calling customer service — you do not need to visit a branch.
• You must have the recipient's full name, routing number, and account number; without all three, the transfer will be rejected or sent to the wrong account.
• ACH transfers take one to three business days to complete, so plan ahead if you have a bill due date.
• Once an ACH payment is sent, you can usually cancel it only within a few hours; after that, you must contact the recipient's bank to request a reversal.
• ACH payments are free or very low-cost at most banks, unlike wire transfers which often charge $15 to $30.

Gather the recipient's banking information

Before you start the transfer, you need three pieces of information about whoever is receiving the money: their full legal name (as it appears on their bank account), their routing number, and their account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank or credit union; the account number identifies the specific account within that bank.

Ask the recipient directly for this information rather than guessing. If you're paying a business — a landlord, utility company, or contractor — they usually list these details on an invoice, bill, or payment instructions page. If you're sending money to a person, text or call and ask them to provide all three items. Mismatched information can cause the transfer to fail or, worse, land in someone else's account.

If the recipient is unsure of their own routing number, they can find it on a check (it's the first nine digits at the bottom left), by calling their bank, or by searching their bank's name and "routing number" online. Do not rely on a number you find online without confirming it with the recipient or their bank directly.

Log into your bank and locate the transfer option

Open your bank's website or mobile app and sign in with your username and password. Look for a section labeled "Send Money," "Transfer Funds," "Pay Bills," or "Payments." The exact name varies by bank — Chase calls it "Transfers," Bank of America calls it "Transfer Funds," and smaller banks may use different labels. If you cannot find it, call your bank's customer service line; they can walk you through the steps specific to your bank.

Some banks separate bill payments from person-to-person transfers, so you may see two different options. Bill pay usually goes to businesses and organizations; person-to-person transfers usually go to individuals. Both use ACH, but the interface might be slightly different. Choose the one that matches who you're sending money to.

Enter the recipient's information and amount

Once you've found the transfer screen, you'll see fields for the recipient's name, routing number, account number, and the amount you want to send. Type the information exactly as you received it — do not abbreviate names or rearrange numbers. If the recipient's name is "Robert James Martinez," type it that way, not "R. Martinez" or "Bob Martinez."

Double-check the routing and account numbers digit by digit. A single wrong number will send the money to the wrong account or cause the transfer to fail. Some banks show you the last four digits of the account number and the recipient's name as a confirmation before you submit; use this step to catch mistakes.

Enter the amount in dollars and cents. If you're unsure whether to include cents (for example, if a bill is due for $1,200.00 versus $1,200), check the bill or invoice. Most systems accept either, but matching the exact amount can help the recipient's accounting system match the payment to the correct invoice.

Choose the transfer date and review before sending

Your bank will ask when you want the money to leave your account. You can usually choose "today" (which processes the same business day) or a future date. If you choose a future date, the money stays in your account until that date, then moves to the recipient's bank. This is useful if you want to schedule a payment for the day after you get paid, or to ensure a bill payment arrives by a specific date.

Remember that ACH transfers take one to three business days after they leave your bank. If a bill is due on the 15th and you send the payment on the 14th, it may not arrive until the 17th. Check the bill's due date and work backward: if you need the money there by the 15th, send it by the 12th or 13th to be safe.

Before you submit, review the entire screen one more time: recipient name, routing number, account number, amount, and date. Some banks show you a summary screen; read it carefully. Once you hit "confirm" or "send," the transfer is usually locked in and cannot be stopped immediately.

Confirm the transfer and save your receipt

After you submit, your bank will show you a confirmation number and a summary of the transaction. Write down or screenshot the confirmation number — you'll need it if there's a problem or if you need to prove you sent the payment. Your bank will also send you an email or text confirmation; keep that message.

The money will leave your account on the date you chose. You can check your account balance to confirm the debit has posted. The recipient's bank will receive the transfer one to three business days later, depending on when the ACH network processes it. Most transfers arrive within one business day, but do not assume it will be instant.

If the recipient says they haven't received the money after three business days, contact your bank with your confirmation number. They can trace the transfer and tell you whether it's still in process, was rejected, or was sent to the wrong account. If it was rejected, your bank will return the money to your account, usually within a few days.

What to do if you need to cancel or reverse a payment

If you realize you made a mistake immediately after sending, call your bank right away. ACH transfers can sometimes be stopped within a few hours of submission, before the transfer leaves your bank's system. The sooner you call, the better your chances. Have your confirmation number ready.

If the transfer has already left your bank (which happens quickly, often within minutes), you cannot cancel it directly. Instead, you must contact the recipient's bank and request a reversal. This requires the recipient's bank to agree to send the money back, which they are not legally required to do. If the recipient cooperates, they can initiate a reversal on their end, but it can take several days.

If the money was sent to the wrong account by mistake, contact your bank immediately with your confirmation number. Provide the incorrect routing or account number you used. Your bank can file a trace to attempt recovery, but success is not may provide. This is why double-checking before you send is so important.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an ACH payment take?

ACH transfers typically take one to three business days from the time your bank sends them. Most arrive within one business day, but you should not count on it being instant. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer sent on Friday may not arrive until Monday or Tuesday.

Is there a limit to how much I can send with ACH?

Most banks allow ACH transfers up to $10,000 per day or $25,000 per month, though these limits vary. If you need to send more, contact your bank to ask about increasing your limit or splitting the transfer across multiple days. Some banks will raise limits for established customers without much hassle.

Can I send an ACH payment to someone at a different bank?

Yes. ACH works across all banks and credit unions in the United States. As long as you have the recipient's routing number and account number, you can send money to them regardless of which bank they use.

What if I send an ACH payment to the wrong account number by accident?

Contact your bank immediately with your confirmation number. Your bank can file a trace to attempt to recover the funds, but there is no may provide. If the money went to another customer at the same bank, that bank may be able to reverse it quickly. If it went to a different bank, recovery is slower and less certain. This is why confirming all details before sending is critical.

Do I have to pay a fee to send an ACH payment?

Most banks do not charge a fee for ACH transfers, especially if you are sending to pay a bill or transfer between your own accounts. Some banks charge a small fee (usually $1 to $3) for person-to-person transfers or for sending money to accounts outside their network, but this is less common. Check your bank's fee schedule or ask customer service before you send.