SWIFT/BIC code decoder
A SWIFT/BIC code has 8 or 11 characters: 4 letters for the bank, 2 letters for the country, 2 characters for the location, and an optional 3-character branch code. XXX means the head office. Paste a code to see each part and the country. This tool decodes the structure only and does not name the bank.
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Estimate only. This tool decodes the format of a code. Always confirm the full wire details with the receiving bank before sending money.
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📌 Key facts
- A SWIFT/BIC code has 8 or 11 characters: 4 letters for the bank, 2 letters for the country, 2 characters for the location, and an optional 3-character branch code.
- The branch code XXX, or no branch code at all, means the bank's head office.
- Example: DEUTDEFF is Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, where DEUT is the bank, DE is Germany and FF is the location.
- A SWIFT code identifies a bank, while an IBAN or account number identifies a specific account.
- US domestic wires use a 9-digit ABA routing number; SWIFT codes are for international transfers.
How a SWIFT/BIC code is built
SWIFT codes follow the ISO 9362 standard. They identify a bank in international wires.
| Characters | Meaning | Example (CHASUS33XXX) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Bank code (letters) | CHAS |
| 5-6 | Country (ISO 3166 letters) | US |
| 7-8 | Location (letters or digits) | 33 |
| 9-11 | Branch (optional) | XXX |
The location's second character carries a flag: 0 marks a test code, 1 a passive participant that is not on the live network, and 2 means reverse billing.
8 characters or 11 characters
The 8-character and 11-character forms both work for most wires. An 8-character code points to the bank's primary office, exactly as if it ended in XXX.
CHASUS33 = CHASUS33XXX
Use the 11-character form only if the bank gave you a specific branch code. If your bank's form asks for 11 characters and you have 8, add XXX at the end.
SWIFT code, routing number and IBAN
Which numbers a wire needs depends on where the money goes.
| Transfer | What you need |
|---|---|
| Domestic US wire | ABA routing number and account number |
| International wire to the US | SWIFT/BIC of the US bank, ABA routing number, account number |
| Wire to Europe or the UK | IBAN and the bank's SWIFT/BIC |
Check an IBAN with the IBAN validator before you send money abroad.
SWIFT code lookup: decoding a real example
Take the code CHASUS33. You can read it in four parts.
| Part | Characters | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | CHAS | Chase |
| Country | US | United States |
| Location | 33 | New York area |
| Branch | (none) | Head office |
So an 8-character code points to a bank's main office. An 11-character code, however, names a specific branch. When in doubt, ask your recipient for the exact code printed on their bank documents.
SWIFT code lookup: when you need one
You need a SWIFT code mainly for international wire transfers. For example, sending money from the US to a bank in Germany requires the receiving bank's SWIFT code and the recipient's IBAN.
- For transfers within the US, you use a routing number instead.
- For transfers inside Europe's SEPA area, the IBAN is usually enough.
- For transfers to most other countries, you need both the SWIFT code and the account number.
Also, check fees before you send. Banks often charge a flat fee, and intermediary banks may take another cut.
SWIFT code lookup: avoiding transfer errors
A wrong character in a SWIFT code can delay a wire by days. So take a few precautions.
- Copy the code from an official bank document, not from an email.
- Run the code through this tool to check its length and structure.
- Validate the IBAN with the IBAN validator.
- Confirm the details by phone if the amount is large.
Next, protect your banking logins with a long password from the password generator. Finally, use the phone number lookup to double-check an unknown caller who claims to represent your bank.
SWIFT code lookup: quick questions
People often ask whether SWIFT and BIC are the same thing. Yes, they are. BIC stands for Bank Identifier Code, and SWIFT is the network that assigns it.
Next, you may wonder whether the code is private. It is not, because banks print it on statements and websites. Finally, remember that a SWIFT code alone cannot move money. Still, anyone can look one up, so treat the account number with more care. If the code length is not 8 or 11, then something is wrong, and you should ask the bank again.
3 real-life examples
Decode an 8-character code
You enter DEUTDEFF. DEUT is the bank code, DE is Germany, FF is the location code. With no branch, it is the primary office, so the full form is DEUTDEFFXXX.
Read an 11-character code
For DEUTDEFF500 the last three characters, 500, name a specific branch. The first eight characters still point to the same bank and country.
Spot a typo
You type CHASU133. The country code must be two letters, and U1 is not. The tool flags it right away, so you fix it before the wire is sent.