--- title: SWIFT codes, IBAN numbers and routing codes simplified | Corpay description: SWIFT codes, IBAN numbers and routing codes simplified image: https://cb.corpay.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/priscilla-du-preez-5GwaCXXFpgw-unsplash.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/swift-codes-iban-numbers-routing-codes-simplified#main-content) ![Corpay Cross Border Payments](https://cb.corpay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Corpay_Final-Logo_No-TM_Two-Tone_Black.png?width=130&height=35&name=Corpay_Final-Logo_No-TM_Two-Tone_Black.png) - [Blogs](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog) - [Whitepapers](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/whitepapers) - [Case Studies](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/case-studies) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Blogs](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog) - [Whitepapers](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/whitepapers) - [Case Studies](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/case-studies) - [Contact us](https://www.corpay.com/contact-us/cross-border) [Contact us](https://www.corpay.com/contact-us/cross-border) Dec 10, 2021 # SWIFT codes, IBAN numbers and routing codes simplified ![Picture of Corpay Cross-Border](https://cb.corpay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Brand%20Logos/Corpay_Final_Avatar_caret_dark.png?width=50&name=Corpay_Final_Avatar_caret_dark.png) [Corpay Cross-Border](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/author/admin) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/swift-codes-iban-numbers-routing-codes-simplified) [Share this page on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/swift-codes-iban-numbers-routing-codes-simplified) [Share this page on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/swift-codes-iban-numbers-routing-codes-simplified) [Share this page on Email](mailto:?body=https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/swift-codes-iban-numbers-routing-codes-simplified) *An easy-to-understand breakdown of the different banking codes needed for making international payments…* If you’re sending international payments you are no doubt familiar with the various banking codes required to ensure your payment reaches your supplier. You may well have also had occasions where you’ve entered the wrong digit and a payment has gone missing. It’s not surprising error rates on international payments are high when some banking codes consist of over 30 characters. In this blog we break down the different banking codes to help you understand them. **SWIFT code, also known as BIC code** A SWIFT code is used to identify worldwide banks. It is made up of 8-11 characters and is commonly known as a Bank Identifier Code or BIC. Around the world, other banks may refer to a SWIFT or BIC code as CHIPS, NCC, BSC or IFSC. As a business you will use SWIFT codes or BIC codes on international wire transfers and SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) payments. Banks use them to exchange messages. Here’s an example of a SWIFT/BIC code for Barclays Bank: BUKBGB220KP Bank code (4 letters) Country code (2 Letters) Location code (2 digits) Branch code (3 digits) **IBAN number (International Bank Account Number)** Some banks use an IBAN to identify a customer’s bank account. When used in combination with a SWIFT or BIC code it helps facilitate the automatic movement of cross-border payments. An IBAN number begins with two-letter country code followed by a two-digit IBAN checksum. Next follows 4 digits from the SWIFT code. After this there can be up to 35 characters which are used to identify the individual bank account. In the UK, an example of an IBAN number would be: GB22MIDL12345612345678 Country code + IBAN Checksum SWIFT code (4 digits) Sort code Account number **Routing number / ABA routing number** If you’re sending payments via the local payment network (ACH) it’s likely you will need a routing number and account number. The routing number defines where a payment needs to go in order to reach the recipient bank account successfully. It is also referred to as an ABA or RTN routing number. A routing number is usually nine digits and looks like this 623852453 Federal Reserve Routing Symbol American Banks Association (ABA) Institution Identifier Check digit If you are struggling to find the routing number, most US banks provide details on their website. Once you know the name of the bank and its location, it’s fairly simple to find the routing number online. 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[Read more](https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/currency-conversion-and-global-trades-hidden-costs) --- [![Corpay Cross Border Payments](https://cb.corpay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Corpay_Final-Logo_No-TM_Two-Tone_Black.png?width=130&height=35&name=Corpay_Final-Logo_No-TM_Two-Tone_Black.png "Corpay Cross Border Payments")](https://www.corpay.com/cross-border) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/corpay-cross-border-solutions/) [X Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/CorpayFX) [vimeo-v icon](https://vimeo.com/corpay) [microphone icon](http://corporate-payments.corpay.com/fintech-in-focus-podcast/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@CorpayCrossBorder) --- ## "Cambridge Global Payments” and “AFEX” are trading names that may be used for the international payment solutions and risk management solutions provided by certain affiliated entities using the brand “Corpay”. International payment solutions are provided in Australia through Cambridge Mercantile (Australia) Pty. Ltd.; in Canada through Cambridge Mercantile Corp.; in Switzerland through Associated Foreign Exchange (Schweiz) AG; in the United Kingdom through Cambridge Mercantile Corp. (UK) Ltd.; in Ireland and the European Economic Area on a cross-border basis through Associated Foreign Exchange Ireland Ltd.; in Jersey and the Channel Islands through AFEX Offshore Ltd.; in Singapore through Associated Foreign Exchange (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and in the United States through Cambridge Mercantile Corp. (U.S.A.). Risk management solutions are provided in in Australia through Cambridge Mercantile (Australia) Pty. Ltd.; in Canada through Cambridge Mercantile Corp.; in the United Kingdom through Cambridge Mercantile Risk Management (UK) Ltd.; in Ireland and the European Economic Area on a cross-border basis through AFEX Markets Europe Ltd.; in Jersey and the Channel Islands through AFEX Offshore Ltd.; in Singapore through Associated Foreign Exchange (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and in the United States through Cambridge Mercantile Corp. (U.S.A.). Please refer to http://cross-border.corpay.com/brochure-disclaimers for important terms and information. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Corpay Cross-Border", "url" : "https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/author/admin" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-29T20:13:35.847Z", "datePublished" : "2021-12-10T17:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "SWIFT codes, IBAN numbers and routing codes simplified | Corpay", "image" : [ "https://cb.corpay.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/priscilla-du-preez-5GwaCXXFpgw-unsplash.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://cb.corpay.com/resources/blog/swift-codes-iban-numbers-routing-codes-simplified", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cb.corpay.com/hubfs/Corpay_Final-Logo_No-TM_Two-Tone_Black.png" }, "name" : "Corpay" } } ```