Below is the typical IBAN for United Kingdom. It contains 22 characters. Below you will find a detailed breakdown of the IBAN structure in United Kingdom.
- 2 letters ISO country code
- 2 digits IBAN check digits
- 4 characters SWIFT/BIC code
- 6 digits sort code
- 8 digits account number
| Item | Length | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Country | 2a | GB |
| IBAN Checksum | 2n | 29 |
| SWIFT/BIC Code | 4a | NWBK |
| Sort Code | 6n | 601613 |
| Account Number | 8n | 31926819 |
Please note that any IBAN or BBAN account numbers which appear on this page are used as examples, and shouldn’t be used to process your transfer.
The downside of international transfers with your bank
When you send or receive an international wire with your bank, you might lose money on a bad exchange rate and pay hidden fees as a result. That’s because the banks still use an old system to exchange money. We recommend you use Wise, which is usually much cheaper. With their smart technology:
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Click "Generate" below to use the IBAN Calculator, or "Validate" to check an IBAN for a bank account in United Kingdom.
Top Banks in United Kingdom
IBAN numbers in United Kingdom - FAQs
Why is an IBAN code needed in United Kingdom?
An IBAN is an International Bank Account Number. IBANs are used to help guide international payments to the correct bank accounts.
Using a standard, internationally agreed format, an IBAN contains information about the country the payment is headed to, as well as the full basic bank account number for the specific account. This reduces processing mistakes and allows cross-border payments to travel safely and quickly from one account to another.
How to find an IBAN number?
You can find an IBAN number using the IBAN finder tool available here. You’ll also find a handy IBAN checker to validate the IBAN number you have if you’re sending a payment.
If you’re looking for your own IBAN you can use our validator and calculator tools, check for your IBAN number within your online banking, or find it on correspondence from your bank such as regular statements.
How to get an IBAN number in United Kingdom?
If you’re sending money to someone overseas you’ll need the correct IBAN to avoid delays. Ask your recipient for their IBAN number, or use the IBAN finder and checker tools available on this page.
Which countries use IBAN codes?
IBAN numbers were initially created to make it easier to send payments within the European Union. However, there are now 77 countries worldwide using IBANs to facilitate international payments.
IBANs are used across most European countries, as well as many countries in the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean. It’s worth noting that IBANs are not used in some major countries including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If you’re sending an international payment, your bank or money transfer service will be able to confirm the information needed for your destination country.
Sending money to United Kingdom?
Sending international payments can be expensive, with high upfront fees and additional charges wrapped up in poor bank exchange rates.
If you need to send money to someone in United Kingdom you could be better off using a specialist like Wise to skip high bank fees and send money online, all over the world, with fast, secure transfers. They use a simple, upfront pricing system, with no hidden fees. All currency conversion uses the mid-market exchange rate - the one you’ll find on Google - with no sneaky markups. That can mean you save versus your regular bank.
Check out Wise today, for better value international payments.
