SWIFT / BIC Validator
Validate SWIFT/BIC codes instantly and extract bank, country, and branch information
Format checks follow the ISO 9362 standard \u00b7 Reference content last reviewed 3 September 2026
Enter SWIFT/BIC Code
SWIFT / BIC Codes at a Glance
- What it is
- A SWIFT code, or BIC, is an 8 or 11-character identifier for a bank or branch under the ISO 9362 standard. SWIFT and BIC mean the same thing.
- How it is built
- 4 letters for the bank, 2 letters for the ISO 3166-1 country, 2 characters for the location, and 3 optional characters for the branch. DEUTDEFF is Deutsche Bank, Germany, Frankfurt.
- SWIFT vs IBAN
- The SWIFT code identifies the bank; the IBAN identifies the account. Most international transfers need both. IBANs run 15 to 34 characters, SWIFT codes only 8 or 11.
- When you need one
- Any cross-border wire transfer, most non-euro payments, and receiving money from abroad. Euro transfers inside SEPA need only the IBAN.
- What XXX means
- XXX as the final three characters means the bank's head office rather than a named branch. An 8-character code and the same code plus XXX behave identically.
- What this tool checks
- Format and country code only. A code can be structurally valid and still belong to the wrong bank, so confirm the code with the person or business you are paying.
What is a SWIFT / BIC Code?
A SWIFT code (also called a BIC code — Bank Identifier Code) is a unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to every bank and financial institution that participates in the global SWIFT network (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication). Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Belgium, SWIFT is a cooperative that provides a secure messaging network used by over 11,000 financial institutions in more than 200 countries, processing tens of millions of messages every day.
When you send an international wire transfer, your bank uses the recipient's SWIFT/BIC code to route the payment through a chain of correspondent banks to reach the correct destination bank — anywhere in the world. Without a valid SWIFT code, international transfers cannot be processed, and the payment will be returned or rejected. SWIFT codes are also used for foreign exchange transactions, securities settlement, and interbank communications.
The terms SWIFT code and BIC code are completely interchangeable — they refer to the same identifier. BIC is the official ISO 9362 standard name; SWIFT is the colloquial name used by most banks and customers. Both 8-character and 11-character codes are valid — the 11-character version simply adds a 3-character branch code to the end.
SWIFT / BIC Code Structure Explained
Every SWIFT/BIC code follows a strict format defined by the ISO 9362 standard. Using Deutsche Bank's Frankfurt SWIFT code as an example:
Code
Code
Code
(optional)
Bank Code — 4 letters
A four-letter abbreviation identifying the bank or financial institution. Typically derived from the bank's name. For example: DEUT = Deutsche Bank, BARC = Barclays, CITI = Citibank, HSBC = HSBC. Only letters (A–Z) are allowed in this field.
Country Code — 2 letters
A two-letter ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code identifying the country where the bank is headquartered or licensed. Examples: DE = Germany, GB = United Kingdom, US = United States, AE = UAE. Our validator checks this against all valid ISO country codes.
Location Code — 2 characters
Two letters or digits indicating the bank's city or location. If the second character is 0, the bank is a test institution. If it is 1, the bank is not connected to the SWIFT network directly. Any other combination indicates a live, connected institution.
Branch Code — 3 characters (optional)
An optional 3-character suffix identifying a specific branch. If omitted or set to XXX, the code refers to the bank's head office. An 8-character SWIFT code and an 11-character code ending in XXX are functionally equivalent — both route to the head office.
SWIFT Code vs IBAN — Key Differences
SWIFT codes and IBANs are both essential for international payments but serve completely different purposes. Many people confuse the two — here is a clear comparison:
| Feature | SWIFT / BIC Code | IBAN |
|---|---|---|
| Identifies | A bank or branch | A specific bank account |
| Length | 8 or 11 characters | 15 to 31 characters |
| Standard | ISO 9362 | ISO 13616 |
| Contains | Bank, country, location, branch codes | Country code, check digits, account number |
| Used for | Routing payments between banks globally | Identifying accounts in SEPA / international transfers |
| Required by | All international wire transfers (SWIFT) | SEPA payments; most European & Middle Eastern banks |
| Example | DEUTDEFFXXX | DE89370400440532013000 |
For a payment within the SEPA zone (EU + Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, etc.), an IBAN alone is usually sufficient. For payments outside SEPA — such as sending money to the USA, Australia, UAE, or Pakistan — both a SWIFT/BIC code and local account details (or an IBAN) are typically required. Always check with your bank which details are needed for the specific destination country.
When Do You Need a SWIFT / BIC Code?
SWIFT codes are required in a wide range of financial and business scenarios involving cross-border money movement:
International Wire Transfers
Any bank-to-bank wire transfer crossing national borders requires the recipient bank's SWIFT/BIC code to route the payment correctly through the SWIFT network.
Receiving Salary from Abroad
If your employer or client is based in another country and pays via bank transfer, they will need your bank's SWIFT code to send funds to your account.
Foreign Currency Payments
Payments made in a foreign currency — even between accounts in the same country — often require a SWIFT code if they involve correspondent banking.
Import / Export Trade Finance
Letters of credit, documentary collections, and other trade finance instruments transmitted over the SWIFT network require valid BIC codes for all participating banks.
Investment & Brokerage Accounts
Funding international brokerage or investment accounts typically requires a SWIFT transfer, which needs the receiving institution's BIC code.
Online Payment Platforms
Platforms like Wise (formerly TransferWise), PayPal, and Revolut use SWIFT codes when processing withdrawals to bank accounts in non-SEPA countries.
How to Find Your Bank's SWIFT / BIC Code
Unlike an IBAN, a SWIFT code identifies the bank — not your individual account. This means every customer at the same bank shares the same SWIFT code (branch codes may differ for specific locations). Here is how to find it:
Online or Mobile Banking Portal
Log into your bank's website or app and navigate to Account Details or International Transfer. The SWIFT/BIC code is almost always listed here alongside your IBAN.
Bank Statement or Welcome Letter
Your bank's SWIFT code is often printed on official correspondence, bank statements, and welcome packs sent when you opened your account.
Your Bank's Official Website
Search your bank's website for 'SWIFT code', 'BIC code', or 'international transfers'. Most major banks publish their SWIFT codes publicly in the Help or FAQs section.
Call or Visit Your Bank
Your bank's customer service team can provide the correct SWIFT code for your account immediately. For branch-specific codes, confirm whether the branch code (last 3 characters) matters for your transfer.
Tip: If you are sending a payment and are unsure whether to use the 8-character or 11-character SWIFT code, either will work for most transfers. An 8-character code and the same code with XXX appended are functionally identical — both route to the bank's head office. Only use a specific 3-character branch code if your bank or the recipient's bank explicitly requires it.
Common SWIFT / BIC Code Errors and How to Fix Them
If our validator shows your SWIFT code as invalid, here are the most likely causes:
Wrong number of characters
SWIFT codes are exactly 8 or 11 characters. A 9 or 10-character code is always invalid. Check for missing or extra characters, particularly spaces.
Invalid characters
The bank code (first 4 characters) must be letters only. Digits are not permitted in positions 1–4. Digits are allowed in positions 7–8 (location) and 9–11 (branch).
Unrecognised country code
Characters 5–6 must be a valid ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code. Common mistakes include using '1' instead of 'I', or '0' instead of 'O'.
Using the IBAN instead
An IBAN is 15–34 characters. If you have entered more than 11 characters, you may have confused the IBAN with the SWIFT code. Use our IBAN Validator for IBANs.
Test or inactive BIC
If the location code's second character is '0', this is a test BIC used in SWIFT's development environment — not valid for live transactions.
SWIFT Codes of Major International Banks
The table below lists SWIFT/BIC codes for well-known international banks. You can enter any of these into the validator above to test the tool, or use them as a reference to verify a SWIFT code you have received.
| SWIFT / BIC | Bank Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| DEUTDEFF | Deutsche Bank | Germany |
| BOFAUS3N | Bank of America | USA |
| BARCGB22 | Barclays Bank | United Kingdom |
| BNPAFRPP | BNP Paribas | France |
| CITIUS33 | Citibank | USA |
| HSBCHKHH | HSBC Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| UBSWCHZH | UBS | Switzerland |
| ABNANL2A | ABN AMRO | Netherlands |
| INGBNL2A | ING Bank | Netherlands |
| NORDEASS | Nordea Bank | Sweden |
| CHASUS33 | JPMorgan Chase | USA |
| GEBABEBB | BNP Paribas Fortis | Belgium |
| RBOSGB2L | Royal Bank of Scotland | United Kingdom |
| CBAUAU2S | Commonwealth Bank | Australia |
| AACSAEAD | Abu Dhabi Commercial | UAE |
* SWIFT codes shown are for head offices. Branch-specific codes may differ. Always confirm with the receiving bank before sending a wire transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions About SWIFT / BIC Codes
What is a SWIFT code?
A SWIFT code (also called a BIC — Bank Identifier Code) is an 8 or 11-character code that uniquely identifies a bank or bank branch in the international SWIFT payment network. It contains a 4-letter bank code, a 2-letter ISO country code, a 2-character location code and an optional 3-character branch code.
What is the difference between a SWIFT code and a BIC code?
They are the same thing. BIC (Bank Identifier Code) is the official name under the ISO 9362 standard. SWIFT is the name of the cooperative that operates the network, and the term most banks and customers use in practice. The two are fully interchangeable.
What is the difference between a SWIFT code and an IBAN?
A SWIFT/BIC code identifies a bank or branch. An IBAN identifies one specific bank account. SWIFT codes are 8 or 11 characters; IBANs are 15 to 34 characters. International transfers usually need both — the SWIFT code routes the payment to the right bank, and the IBAN identifies the account within it.
How do I check if a SWIFT code is valid?
Enter it in the validator above. The tool checks that the code is 8 or 11 characters, that it follows the ISO 9362 format of 4 letters, 2 letters, 2 alphanumeric characters and an optional 3 more, and that characters 5 and 6 are a real ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code. A format check cannot confirm that the code belongs to the bank you intend to pay — confirm that with the recipient.
What does XXX mean at the end of a SWIFT code?
XXX in the final three characters of an 11-character SWIFT code means the head office rather than a specific branch. HSBCGB2LXXX is HSBC's UK head office. An 8-character code and the same code with XXX appended are functionally identical, so if you do not know the branch code either form will route correctly.
Is a SWIFT code the same for every account at the same bank?
Usually yes. A SWIFT code identifies the institution, not the account, so every customer of the same bank shares it. Some banks assign different branch codes (the final three characters) to particular offices or business lines, but the first eight characters stay the same.
Do I need a SWIFT code for a SEPA transfer?
Generally no. For euro transfers within the SEPA area the IBAN alone is sufficient, and banks have not been permitted to require the BIC for SEPA payments since 2016. A SWIFT/BIC code is still needed for transfers outside SEPA and for most non-euro payments.
Can a SWIFT code contain numbers?
Partly. The first four characters (the bank code) must be letters only. Characters 7 and 8 (the location code) and the final three (the branch code) may be letters or digits. A digit anywhere in the first six characters means the code is invalid.
Reviewed by Vaneesa Lenz · Financial & Business Analyst
This validator checks SWIFT/BIC codes against the ISO 9362 format and the ISO 3166-1 country code list. It confirms that a code is well-formed — it cannot confirm that the code belongs to the bank you intend to pay, so always verify the code with the recipient before sending money. Last reviewed . Read our editorial standards for how we source and review reference data.