BIC/SWIFT Code Validator
Validate Bank Identifier Codes (BIC) and SWIFT codes for international wire transfers. Check 8 or 11 character codes using ISO 9362 standard.
BIC/SWIFT Code Structure
BIC (Bank Identifier Code) and SWIFT codes are the same thing. They uniquely identify banks worldwide for international wire transfers using the ISO 9362 standard.
- International wire transfers
- Cross-border payments
- Receiving money from abroad
- Setting up business payments with overseas partners
- Used together with IBAN for European transfers
BIC structure, segment by segment
A BIC packs four pieces of information into 8 or 11 characters. Take Deutsche Bank’s DEUTDEFF as the worked example:
What the transfer costs
A SWIFT code routes the payment; it does not tell you what the payment costs. On a bank wire the fee is only part of it, because the exchange rate carries a markup the bank does not itemise, and on a large transfer that markup is the bigger number.
Price one before you send with the wire transfer fee calculator, or see what the major banks charge in our wire transfer fee guide. A specialist is usually cheaper than a wire: compare them on the money transfer hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an 8 and 11-character code?
An 8-character BIC points to a bank’s head office; an 11-character BIC adds a 3-character branch code for a specific branch. If you only have the 8-character version, you can append XXX to mean the primary office, and most international transfers accept either.
Is a BIC the same as a SWIFT code?
Yes, they are two names for the same identifier. SWIFT is the cooperative that runs the global messaging network, while BIC (Business Identifier Code) is the official ISO 9362 name for the code itself. Banks and forms use the terms interchangeably.
How is a BIC/SWIFT code structured?
Eight or eleven characters in a fixed order: four letters for the bank code, two letters for the ISO country code, two characters for the location (city or head office), and an optional three characters for the branch. For example, DEUTDEFF is Deutsche Bank (DEUT), Germany (DE), Frankfurt (FF).
Can I find a bank’s BIC with this tool?
No. This validator checks whether a code you already have is well-formed; it does not look codes up. To find a bank’s BIC/SWIFT, check a statement, your online banking, or the bank directly, or search the official directory at swift.com. Sending to the wrong BIC can delay or misroute a wire.
Do I need both a BIC and an IBAN?
Often yes, for international transfers. The BIC routes the payment to the correct bank, and the IBAN identifies the specific account at that bank. For transfers within the SEPA area an IBAN alone is usually enough, but many cross-border payments still ask for both.