What is an IBAN? How to read one and check it before you pay
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) identifies a single bank account in a standard format used across Europe and many other countries. It's what you give someone abroad so they can pay into your account.
How to read one
A UK IBAN is 22 characters long and contains the bank's code, the sort code and the account number.
- Two letters for the country, such as GB for the UK or DE for Germany.
- Two check digits, calculated from the rest of the number.
- The bank and account details, in a format set by each country.
Why the check digits matter
The two check digits are worked out from every other character, so most typos, like a swapped or wrong digit, make the IBAN fail the check. Banks run this check before sending, and you can too.
IBAN, sort code and SWIFT code
In the UK, payments at home use a sort code and account number. From abroad, the payer usually needs your IBAN, and sometimes the bank's SWIFT or BIC code, which identifies the bank rather than the account.
If you run a money app
Customers expect to see account details they can share to get paid. SendPay platforms include multi-currency accounts in GBP, EUR and USD, powered by licensed partners.
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Pick a template, name it, brand it, preview every page before you pay. Your brand, your users, your fees.
Build my platform →Questions people ask
How do I check an IBAN is valid?
The free checker tests the length and check digits for 77 countries in your browser.
IBAN checker →How do I check a SWIFT code?
The free checker reads the bank, country and branch parts.
SWIFT code checker →What is a virtual IBAN?
An account number that routes into a larger master account.
What is a virtual IBAN? →Read next
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.