What's an ACH transfer?

If you've looked into US transfers before, you’ve likely seen the term "ACH transfer", but what does it mean? We're here to break it down for you and let you know all about the options available to you for sending money within the United States.

Whether you're paying a bill, sending money to family, or managing expenses across the Atlantic, you don't need to rely on slow or expensive methods anymore.

We make it easy to manage your money transfers in one place and send money within the US, using local payment rails like ACH, or leveraging other payment methods for even faster transfers. Read on to learn more.

The information provided is accurate as of January 29, 2026.

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 advisor.

How ACH transfers work, at a glance

An ACH transfer is an electronic payment method between financial institutions in the US that moves through the Automated Clearing House network.

• Network: Managed by NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association).
• Speed: Takes 1–3 business days to settle.
• Main types: ACH credits (sending money) and ACH debits (pulling money for bills).
• Cost: Generally cheaper than wire transfers.
• Usage: Convenient for payroll, recurring bills, and standard transfers.

What's an ACH transfer?

An ACH transfer is an electronic movement of money between accounts that doesn't use physical checks or the more expensive wire transfer networks. It's a batch-processing system. This means the network clears millions of transactions in groups several times a day.

Electronic transfers have largely replaced traditional methods like physical cash or checks. ACH acts as a reliable domestic alternative for daily finances. By using a service like ours that accesses the domestic ACH network, you can manage your payments efficiently.

How does an ACH transfer work?

When you send an ACH transfer, you're requesting the network to clear a transaction between your account and a recipient's account. Unlike wire transfers, which are processed individually and often in real-time, ACH payments are grouped together.

The process follows a specific sequence. First, the institution sending the money collects payment instructions and sends them in batches to an ACH operator. This operator is either the Federal Reserve or the Clearing House. The operator then sorts the batches and makes the money available to the receiving institution.

Because the system relies on batches, there's a delay between when you send the money and when the recipient sees it. This batching is what makes the service more affordable than a wire transfer. Before the transfer is completed, the sender's institution checks that the recipient's account exists and that the sender has enough money to cover the transaction.

How to send an ACH transfer with Revolut

Sending money to another account in the US is a simple process built directly into our app. You can manage your balances and recipients with just a few taps.

Adding a recipient

To get started, follow these steps in-app:

1. If you're not a Revolut customer yet, download our app and sign up for Revolut in a few minutes.
2. Open your app and tap on the Payments tab in the bottom menu.
3. Tap the + New button.
4. Tap Bank.
5. Check the destination country is set to the United States.
6. Enter the recipient's full name and their 9-digit ACH routing number.
7. Enter their account number and select the account type.
8. Tap Add recipient to save their details.

Starting the transfer

Once your recipient is saved, you can send money to them quickly:

1. Tap their name.
2. Enter the amount you want to send.
3. Review the transfer details.
4. Tap Send to start the transfer.

What you need for an ACH transfer

To make sure your money reaches the right person, you need 3 pieces of information:

• Routing number: This 9-digit code identifies the bank or institution. It's also called an ABA routing number. Note that some institutions use different routing numbers for ACH and wire transfers.
• Account number: This is the unique identifier for the recipient's account. It varies in length depending on the institution.
• Account type: In the US, you must specify if you're sending to a "checking" or "savings" account. Checking accounts are used for most daily transactions.

ACH vs wire transfer

While both move money between accounts, ACH and wire transfers serve different needs. ACH is built for cost-efficiency, while wires are built for speed and high-value transactions.

How long does an ACH transfer take?

Usually, an ACH transfer arrives within 1–3 business days. Because the network processes payments in batches during business hours, the timing depends on when you submit the instruction.

There are a few reasons a transfer might take longer:

• Bank holidays: The ACH network is closed on public holidays and weekends.
• Cut-off times: If you send a payment late in the day, it won't be included in the final batch and will have to wait until the next business day.
• Verification: For security reasons, your first transfer to a new recipient can undergo extra checks, which can add 24 hours to the timeline.
• Account errors: If the routing or account number is incorrect, the recipient's bank will return the money, which can take several business days.

Learn more about ACH transfer time frames.

Staying safe with ACH transfers

Safety is at the foundation of the ACH network. Because it's a regulated US system, it's protected by federal laws that allow for certain unauthorized transactions to be reversed if you report them quickly enough.

When you send money with us, we use our own security measures to protect your transactions. We monitor every payment to ensure your money is protected.

Avoiding payment scams

While the network is secure, scammers can still try to trick you. Watch out for these red flags:

• The "urgent" request: Scammers often pretend to be a service provider or government agency demanding an immediate payment via ACH. Always verify the source before sending.
• Email account compromise: If a regular recipient suddenly sends an email saying their bank details have changed, call them on a known number to confirm it's them before you send an ACH payment.
• The refund scam: Someone might claim they've "overpaid" you and ask you to send the difference back. Always wait for the money to clear and check your actual balance in-app first.
• Verification links: We'll never send you a random text with a link asking you to verify your ACH details. If you get one, it's a phishing attempt.

Learn more about fraud and scams to stay protected.

How much does an ACH transfer cost?

We don’t charge you for transfers to the US in US dollars, so ‌ACH transfers generally cost nothing with us.

We do charge a $10 fee for wire transfers, and may apply fees for international transfers. You’ll always see applicable fees in-app before you hit Send.

Discover Revolut-to-Revolut transfers

An easy way to move money in seconds and at no cost is by sending money between Revolut accounts.

If the person you're paying is also a Revolut customer, the payment doesn't need to go through external networks like ACH. This means it happens in seconds, whether they're right next to you, in another state, or even on another continent.

Sending money to other Revolut customers is done at no extra charge, making it a great option for splitting bills or sending support to family. Currency exchange fees still apply if you’re sending a currency you don’t currently hold.

Fair usage limits and weekend fees apply, depending on your plan.

Join Revolut and start sending money today

Join the millions of people who use our app by following these steps:

1. Download the Revolut app and sign up for Revolut.
2. Verify your identity in-app to keep your account secure.
3. Add money to your account via your debit card or a bank transfer.
4. Go to the Payments tab and follow the steps mentioned above to add a recipient.
5. Enter their account details and send your money with confidence.