What is a Sort Code?

A sort code is a six-digit numerical code used to identify a specific bank and branch within the UK banking system. Written in three pairs separated by hyphens (e.g. 20-00-00), sort codes are essential for routing payments to the correct destination.

Every UK bank account has a sort code and an account number (typically eight digits). Together, these two numbers uniquely identify a bank account and are needed for most domestic payment methods, including BACS, Faster Payments, CHAPS, direct debits, and standing orders.

How Sort Codes Work

The six digits are structured as follows:

Common First-Digit Ranges

Note: These are examples, not an exhaustive list. Many banks use multiple ranges, and digital banks may use sort codes from their partner banks.

Virtual Sort Codes

Modern digital banks and fintech providers (such as Monzo, Starling, and Revolut) do not have physical branches. Their sort codes point to virtual branches or processing centres rather than a specific high street location.

Similarly, some traditional banks have consolidated branches, so a sort code may no longer correspond to an open branch but still functions correctly for payment routing.

Where to Find Your Sort Code

You can find your sort code in several places:

• Bank card — Printed on the front or back of your debit card
• Bank statements — At the top of paper or digital statements
• Online banking — Displayed in your account details
• Banking app — Usually accessible from the account summary screen
• Chequebook — Printed at the bottom of each cheque
• Your bank — Contact your bank directly or visit a branch

For businesses, the sort code and account number appear on your business bank account documentation and are needed whenever customers need to pay by bank transfer.

Sort Codes and UK Payment Systems

Sort codes play a critical role in the UK’s payment infrastructure:

BACS

The Bankers’ Automated Clearing System uses sort codes and account numbers to process BACS payments, including direct debits and direct credits. BACS processes payments in a 3-day cycle.

Faster Payments

The Faster Payments Service uses the same sort code and account number details but processes payments in near real time (typically within seconds). Most UK bank transfers made through online or mobile banking use Faster Payments.

CHAPS

The Clearing House Automated Payment System handles high-value, same-day payments. CHAPS also uses sort codes and account numbers but is typically reserved for large transactions such as property purchases.

Direct Debits and Standing Orders

When you set up a direct debit or standing order, the payee needs your sort code and account number to collect or receive payments on a regular schedule.

Sort Code vs IBAN

A UK IBAN (International Bank Account Number) incorporates the sort code and account number within a longer standardised format. For example, a UK IBAN looks like: GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19, where “NWBK” is the bank identifier, “601613” is the sort code, and “31926819” is the account number.

For domestic UK payments, the sort code and account number are sufficient. IBANs are required for international transfers and payments within the SEPA area.

Sort Codes for Business

On Invoices

When issuing an invoice that requests payment by bank transfer, include your:

• Account name (the name on the business bank account)
• Sort code
• Account number
• Payment reference (so you can identify and reconcile the payment)

Clear bank details on invoices help customers pay promptly and reduce the risk of misdirected payments.

For Payroll

If you run payroll, you need each employee’s sort code and account number to pay salaries via BACS or Faster Payments. Incorrect sort codes will cause payments to bounce or, worse, be sent to the wrong account.

Changing Your Business Bank Account

If you switch banks and get a new sort code, you need to:

• Update all customers and suppliers with your new details
• Redirect direct debits and standing orders to the new account
• Update your accounting software and bank feed connections
• Update invoice templates with the new sort code and account number
• Use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) to automate the redirection of payments for 36 months

Verifying Sort Codes

Before making a payment, you can verify a sort code using:

• Confirmation of Payee (CoP) — A service built into UK online banking that checks the account name matches the sort code and account number
• Sort code directories — Online databases that show which bank a sort code belongs to
• Your bank — Can verify the sort code before processing the payment

Confirmation of Payee is particularly important for businesses making large or first-time payments. It helps prevent authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where a scammer provides false bank details to redirect a payment.

Fraud Prevention

Sort codes and account numbers are not secret — they appear on cheques, invoices, and bank statements. However, having someone’s sort code and account number alone does not allow them to withdraw money from the account. To do so, they would need:

• A signed direct debit mandate (and even then, the Direct Debit Guarantee protects the account holder)
• Access to online banking credentials
• A forged cheque

The main fraud risk related to sort codes is payment redirection — where a scammer impersonates a supplier and provides fraudulent bank details for an invoice payment. To mitigate this:

• Always verify bank detail changes by calling the supplier on a known number (not the one on the suspicious communication)
• Use Confirmation of Payee before sending payments
• Be cautious of emails requesting urgent changes to payment details
• Maintain good accounting controls with dual authorisation for large payments