How to find your account number quickly and easily

It happens to everyone. You’re asked for your account details to receive a payment or set up a new Direct Debit, and suddenly you’re scrambling to remember what they are. It’s one of those essential pieces of information you need right away for the transfer to go through correctly.

In the UK, finding your account details should be a simple process. Whether you’re dealing with a traditional high-street provider or a modern bank like Revolut, there are a few reliable places to look. To manage your money well and avoid payment delays, it's important to have easy access to this information.

This guide breaks down exactly what an account number is, why you need it for both local and international transfers, and the fastest, most reliable methods for finding yours. We also discuss how we help you manage your account details easily in-app, and even tackle the sometimes confusing topic of international payment codes like IBAN.

Want to know more about getting set up? Read our guide: How to open a bank account in the UK.

What's an account number?

Your account number is the best way to identify your account for domestic payments. It's a unique, 8-digit code assigned to your current account. This number acts as the address for any money being transferred to you.

Every financial provider assigns these numbers sequentially. Your unique 8 digits ensure that a payment intended for Sarah Jones goes to your Sarah Jones, and not another customer with the same name. This specificity is essential in a large payment network like the UK's.

The easiest way to think about it is that it’s your personal identifier. It's what sets your account apart from all the others held by your provider, and acts as the key to your account.

Account number vs sort code: the UK payment duo

In the UK, a local payment is never processed using the account number alone. It needs a complementary code called the sort code. Understanding the difference between these 2 codes is essential to making or receiving any domestic transfer.

• The sort code is a 6-digit number, typically displayed as 3 pairs of 2 digits (e.g. 10-20-30). This code identifies the specific institution where your account is held. It acts as the street address of your financial home.
• The account number is the 8-digit number that points to your individual account within that sort code. It acts as your house number at that address.

You always need both of these pieces of information when giving someone your details for a local UK transfer. The system relies on this pair of codes — a total of 14 digits — to correctly route the money from the sender's account to yours. Providing just one of them will always result in a failed payment, as the system can't get to the full destination from it.

The essential uses: why you need your account number

Knowing your full account details — the sort code and account number — is crucial for almost any financial activity. These 2 sets of numbers are the foundation of your financial life in the UK.

Receiving income and benefits

The most frequent and important use for your account number and sort code is receiving money. When an employer, a government body, or a pension provider wants to pay you via the Bankers' Automated Clearing Services (Bacs) or Faster Payments system, they require both codes.

You'll be asked for these details when you start a new job, as this is how your monthly or weekly salary is transferred to you. Similarly, if you're due a tax refund, government benefits, or any other large payment from an external entity in the UK, these are the only details they need to ensure the money reaches you safely and efficiently. Accuracy is key here — a mistake in just one digit can cause significant delays.

Automating payments: Direct Debits and standing orders

When you need to pay a regular bill, such as your mobile phone contract, energy bill, gym membership, or subscription service, you set up either a Direct Debit or a standing order.

These payment methods are essential for modern life, ensuring your bills are paid on time without manual intervention. Here's how they work:

• Direct debits allow the company you owe money to (the payee) to collect a variable amount of money from your account on specific dates. This is the common method for utilities where the amount changes each month.
• Standing orders are identical, recurring payments that you instruct your provider to make to a specific person or company. This is better for fixed payments like rent or a regular savings transfer.

In both cases, you give the payee your sort code and account number so they can connect their system to your account and start the payment process. These systems rely on the unique combination of numbers to function correctly, confirming to the payee that they are authorised to take or send money to that exact account.

How to find your account number

If you need to find your account number right now, these are the most common and reliable methods for getting it, whether you're using a traditional provider or a digital account like ours:

In-app and online: the fastest route

For anyone using a modern financial provider, including Revolut, the easiest and fastest way to find your details is in-app or via a secure online portal. These platforms are designed for immediate access to your data.

You'll usually find your sort code and account number easily by logging into your app. Most apps offer the convenience of a one-tap copy function. This lets you paste the details directly into a form or email without the risk of a typing error. This method is the safest, clearest, and fastest way to get your details whenever you need them, 24/7.

Checking digital or paper statements

If you prefer to check an official document, your statement from your financial provider is the best place to look:

• Digital statements: most customers can now download their statements as PDFs via online banking or in-app. Your full sort code and account number will be listed prominently near the top of the document, usually right under your name and address.
• Paper statements: if you still get paper statements, your account details will be printed on each one.

Always make sure the statement is current, although the account details themselves generally shouldn't change unless you physically switch accounts or providers.

Can you find your account number on a debit card?

A common misconception is that the 16-digit number on the front of your plastic card is your account number. This is incorrect. Confusing these numbers can lead to failed payments or security risks.

The numbers on your physical card serve entirely different purposes:

• Card number (16 digits): this is for processing purchases over the Visa, Mastercard, or other card networks. It's linked to your account, but it isn't used for transfers.
• Card security code (CVV): this 3-digit number on the back is an important security feature for online purchases or those made over the phone to prove you have the physical card. Never share this with anyone unless you're making a payment yourself.
• Account number (8 digits): this is used only for payments and transfers.

For security reasons, your 8-digit account number is rarely, if ever, printed on the front of a modern card. To find the correct details for a transfer, always stick to checking your app or a formal statement.

Security first: protecting your account number

Keeping your account details safe is just as important as knowing where to find them. While your sort code and account number aren't secret, you should still exercise caution and be aware of common scams.

When is it safe to share your account number?

It's generally safe to share your sort code and account number when you need to receive money, as this information alone can't be used to take money out of your account without authorisation (like via Direct Debit).

You can safely provide these details to:

• your employer, for salary payments
• friends or family, for sending you money
• a company setting up a Direct Debit (as long as you trust the company and have signed a formal agreement)
• government agencies, for tax refunds or benefits

Never share these crucial numbers

While sharing your sort code and account number is necessary for payments into your account, there are other numbers you should never share with anyone:

• Personal Identification Number (PIN): used for ATM withdrawals and in-store card payments. Giving this away is like handing over cash.
• CVV/CVC (card security code): this 3-digit code on the back of your card is the key to online purchases. Sharing it allows someone to use your card without physically having it.
• 16-digit card number: while it's needed for making payments, you should be wary of sharing this outside secure, trusted online payment environments.
• One-time passcodes (OTPs) or verification codes: these are sent by us to confirm your identity or authorise a payment. If someone asks for these, they're almost certainly a scammer trying to access your account.

Always be wary of unexpected calls or emails claiming to be from your financial provider and asking for any of these security details. We'll never ask you to share your PIN or OTP.

What happens if you enter the wrong number?

Mistakes happen, but entering the wrong account number can cause 2 main issues, depending on the error:

1. Non-existent account: if you enter a sort code or account number combination that doesn't correspond to any valid account, the payment will almost instantly fail. The money will be rejected and returned to the sender's account. This is the best-case scenario, as the money is safe, only delayed.
2. Existing, incorrect account (misdirected payment): if you accidentally enter a sort code and account number that belong to another, real customer, the payment will go through. This is known as a misdirected payment. You need to contact your financial provider immediately, and they'll coordinate with the receiving institution to try to get your money back.

To avoid mistakes and prevent this hassle, always use the copy function in-app whenever possible.

How to find your International Bank Account Number (IBAN)

The information needed for international payments is different from local UK transfers. If someone wants to send you money from outside the UK, they'll need your IBAN.

Your IBAN is an essential code for cross-border transactions, and it's usually just as easy to find as your sort code and account number.

Deconstructing the IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code structure

The IBAN is a code that is recognised around the world. It identifies an account and its country of origin in the global financial system. Unlike the UK’s 14-digit local code, an IBAN is much longer (22 characters in the UK, and up to 34 characters in other countries) and is structured as follows:

• Country code: a 2-letter code for the country (e.g. GB for Great Britain)
• Check digits: 2 numbers used for error checking to validate the IBAN before a transfer starts
• Bank identifier: a 4-letter code that represents the financial institution (this is where the BIC/SWIFT is embedded)
• Account details: the remaining characters, which encode your local sort code and your 8-digit account number

Along with the IBAN, the sender usually asks for the Bank Identifier Code (BIC), which is also widely known as the SWIFT code. The BIC/SWIFT code identifies a financial institution for international money transfers. It helps the payment system know which provider the account is with, while the IBAN identifies the specific account. Both are necessary for most international transfers.

The difference between local and international details

The key difference between these codes is the reach of the payment network:

Simplify money management with Revolut

Managing money should be simple, and that includes accessing and using your account details correctly.

How to find your Revolut account number

If you're a customer with us, finding your account number — and all its international equivalents — is easy. All your details are in one place:

1. Open Revolut and log in securely.
2. Make sure you're looking at your GBP account to find your UK details.
3. Tap Details.
4. You'll see your sort code and account number under Local, and your IBAN under International. You can tap the icon on the right of each one to copy them.

We make it easy to manage money in multiple currencies. For example, if you want to receive euros from someone in the eurozone, you can get a specific IBAN for your Revolut euro account. This allows you to hold, receive, and send money in 38 currencies, which can save you time and money when dealing with international transfers.

Revolut-to-Revolut transfers: sending money with a phone number

The fastest way to move money is always within the Revolut network itself. When you send money to another Revolut customer, it's instant and usually free, no matter where they are in the world.

Instead of needing their sort code or account number, you can just select them from your contacts list using their phone number or Revtag. This removes friction and makes splitting bills, repaying friends, or sending cash to family anywhere globally as easy and quick as sending a text message.

Exchange and global transfer fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.

Managing multiple accounts in one place

By keeping all your currencies and accounts in one place, you always know exactly where to find your:

• local sort code and 8-digit account number
• IBANs for different currencies
• BIC/SWIFT codes for global transfers

Our single-platform approach means you spend less time searching for codes and more time focusing on tracking your money with our in-app budgeting tools. Our real-time notifications let you know exactly when a payment hits your account, giving you immediate visibility over your money.

Want to know more about receiving payments? Check out our guide: Receiving money with Revolut.

18+, T&Cs apply.

Getting your Revolut account

Here's how to get set up:

1. Download the Revolut app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Tap Sign up and enter your phone number
3. Follow the clear in-app instructions to confirm your identity and address — it'll only take a few minutes
4. Once verified, you can instantly access your digital account details, including your sort code and account number, and start adding money
5. Order your physical card (delivery fees apply) and explore all our features, from budgeting tools to international money management, all in one place

The information provided is accurate as of 17 April 2025.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.

We were granted our full banking licence in March 2026. At the time of publication, some existing customers may still be‌ being moved over to bank accounts. This means that some information about banking protections may not yet be applicable to all customers.