News
What Bank Details Are Needed To Receive Money?
Learn how to securely receive money with essential bank details for domestic and international transactions.
Free tool
IBAN Calculator
Find your UK IBAN in seconds. Pick your bank, enter your sort code and account number, and we’ll build the full IBAN — check digits and all — ready to copy.
🌍 UK IBAN calculator
Pick your bank, then enter your sort code and account number.
This builds a valid UK IBAN from your bank’s IBAN bank code, your sort code and account number — the check digits are calculated exactly. Because some banks use more than one bank code across older accounts, treat this as a guide and confirm your definitive IBAN in your banking app or on a statement (most banks show it there). Your details are processed entirely in your browser and never sent anywhere. Can’t see your bank? Your app will show your IBAN.
What is an IBAN?
IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. It’s a standard way of writing your account details so a bank in another country can identify your account exactly when sending you money. Every UK IBAN is 22 characters long.
How a UK IBAN is built
Reading left to right, a UK IBAN is made of five parts:
- GB — the country code for the United Kingdom.
- Two check digits — a built-in error check, worked out from everything else with the mod-97 formula.
- A 4-letter bank code — identifies your bank (it’s the first four letters of the bank’s BIC, not your sort code).
- Your 6-digit sort code.
- Your 8-digit account number.
The calculator does the fiddly bit — the check digits — for you, so you don’t have to work them out by hand.
IBAN vs sort code and account number
For everyday payments inside the UK you only need a sort code and account number. An IBAN bundles those same details with a country code and check digits so the account works internationally — it’s mainly needed when money is coming in from, or going to, another country, often alongside a BIC or SWIFT code.
Getting your exact IBAN
This tool builds a valid IBAN from your details, and for the great majority of accounts it will match your bank’s exactly. Because a few banks use more than one bank code across older account ranges, the definitive version is always the one in your banking app or on a statement — most UK banks display it for you. Nothing you type here leaves your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How is a UK IBAN made up?
A UK IBAN is 22 characters: the country code GB, two check digits, a 4-letter bank code, your 6-digit sort code and your 8-digit account number. The check digits are calculated from the rest using the international mod-97 formula.
Where can I find my IBAN?
The quickest way is your banking app or an account statement — most UK banks show your IBAN there. You can also build it from your sort code and account number using the calculator above.
Is my IBAN the same as my account number?
No. Your IBAN contains your sort code and account number but adds a country code, check digits and a bank code so the account can be identified internationally. You still use your normal sort code and account number for UK payments.
Do I need an IBAN to receive money from abroad?
Usually yes. Someone sending you money from another country will typically be asked for your IBAN and often your bank's BIC/SWIFT code too. For payments within the UK, a sort code and account number are all that's needed.
Is it safe to share my IBAN?
Sharing your IBAN so someone can pay you is generally safe — it contains the same details as a sort code and account number, which you already share to receive payments. As always, only share your details with people and businesses you trust.
Keep reading
Related guides
News
Is It Safe to Share Your Sort Code and Account Number?
Yes — you share them to get paid, and alone they can't drain your account. Here's what someone can and can't do with them, and when you should actually be careful.
News
Is BACS the Same as a Bank Transfer?
Not quite — BACS is one type of transfer (used for Direct Debits and salaries) and takes 3 days. Here's how BACS, Faster Payments and CHAPS differ, and which is which.