How to send money to America from the UK
Product · 20 February 2026Clément Bolmont
Whether you’re helping out family in New York, paying for a holiday in Florida, or sending a gift to a friend in Los Angeles, moving your money across the Atlantic shouldn’t be a headache. You deserve a method that’s fast, easy to understand, and doesn’t cost you too much in fees.
Knowing how you can send money to America easily is a big help if you’re looking to move your money without the burden of additional costs or long wait times.
At Revolut, we help you manage your payments with clarity. Discover transfers to the USA and start sending money right now, or read on to learn all about how it works.
Exchange and remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.
The information provided is accurate as of 12 February 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 adviser.
How to send money to America: a step-by-step guide
If you're looking for the shortest path to getting your money across the ocean, follow these steps:
- Pick your provider: you can send via your bank, a money transfer app like ours, or a cash pickup service
- Choose a fast path: we use local payment networks to the USA when possible, improving speed and reducing costs
- Gather your details: you'll need your recipient’s full name and account details, including their ACH routing number and account number
- Start sending: when you're ready, confirm how much you want to send, then make the payment
What to remember when sending money to America from the UK
When you’re planning a transfer to the States, it’s worth considering the specific landscape of American banking. The US system relies heavily on routing numbers to ensure money reaches the correct branch amongst thousands of institutions.
- Cost-effective solution: we offer a balance of speed, competitive fees, and the ability to hold US dollars (USD) in your account.
- SWIFT vs local networks: while SWIFT is reliable and used worldwide, it can be slow and carries intermediary fees. We opt for local payment systems that bypass it when possible to get your money there faster, but may use SWIFT when no local route is available for your transfer.
- What you'll need: your recipient's account details. If you’re sending money to another customer on our platform, however, you'll only need their phone number or Revtag.
How to transfer money to America with our global account
A global account is more than just a space to keep your money, it's a centre for your life across borders. If you live in the UK, opening an account that holds both GBP and USD in one place removes the need for constant conversions.
When you use a global account like ours to send money from the UK to the USA, you can often skip the long wait times associated with traditional transfers. Because our accounts are built for moving money between countries, you benefit from our competitive exchange rates.
And since you can hold USD in your account, you can exchange GBP to USD in-app, meaning you can convert your money whenever the exchange rate’s favourable. You can set up alerts from us so you know when the rate reaches a point you’re comfortable with, convert, then use your USD later for your transfer to America.
A global account also lets you spend like a local when you visit the States. You can hold USD in your account and use your travel money card without worrying about extra fees every time you buy a coffee or pay for a meal.
Exchange and remittance fees, fair usage limits, and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.
Exchange rates are dynamic. Always remember to check the applicable rate in-app before carrying out your exchange.
Using the SWIFT network for money transfers to America
The SWIFT network is the global system that financial institutions use to talk to each other. It connects over 11,000 financial institutions. While it’s a secure way to move money, it wasn’t built to support the speed or low costs you might expect today.
For transfers to America, using SWIFT can sometimes mean your money passes through multiple institutions before reaching its destination. Each of these institutions may take a cut, which is why the final amount received often differs from what you sent.
At Revolut, we use local payment systems when available, meaning your transfer to America may be able to bypass the SWIFT network. However, your money may still travel through the SWIFT network if no other route is available.
The cost of traditional transfers via SWIFT
If you use a UK provider that relies only on SWIFT to send money to America, your costs can go up quickly. Some providers charge a fee to send the transfer, but it’s not the only cost that'll apply, as intermediary financial institutions inside the network may also apply their own charges.
Then you have the exchange rate, which is also a cost to watch for. Most providers, including us, add a mark-up to the market rate.
We may apply a small fee for transfers to America, that we’ll show you in-app before you hit Send. However, you won’t be charged intermediary fees as long as the transfer doesn’t travel via SWIFT, and our exchange rates are competitive, so more of your money reaches your recipient.
Exchange and remittance fees, fair usage limits, and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.
How long does a transfer to America take?
A SWIFT transfer to America often takes 3–5 business days. This is because your money may pass through one or more other institutions before reaching its destination in the USA. Each stop can add 24 hours to the journey. This isn’t ideal if you’ve got an urgent bill to pay or you’re sending money for a birthday.
We provide instant money transfer methods. When using local payment routes, our transfers may arrive in a matter of minutes. Additionally, transfers between Revolut customers arrive right away, no matter where in the world you are.
Safety and rules for your transfers to America
When you’re sending money across the ocean, you’ve got to think about safety and regulations. Both the UK and the USA have strong systems to keep your money safe.
In the UK, we're authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. In the US, the Federal Reserve and other agencies monitor financial transfers to help prevent financial crime.
Sending a large amount may trigger a manual review of your transfer. This is a normal part of the process and is designed to help keep everyone safe. You don’t need to do anything special for this, but it’s good to know it can happen. We use high-level security methods to make sure your details and your money are always looked after. We may reach out to you if we have any questions about your transfer.
It’s also worth checking if the person you’re paying has any fees on their end. Some American providers charge a fee to receive international money, which could mean your friend ends up with slightly less than you sent them.
Learn more about how we protect your money.
Open a Revolut account and start sending money to America
If you’re ready to start making American transfers, here’s how you can join millions of people moving money smarter:
- Download the app: verify your identity and sign up for Revolut in a matter of minutes.
- Add money: once you’re signed up, add GBP to your account via your card or a bank transfer.
- Go to Payments: tap Payments and then tap + New in the top-right corner.
- Set up your recipient: select Bank and add your recipient’s details in-app (usually their ACH routing number and account number).
- Convert and send: you can convert your GBP to USD in-app at competitive rates before sending, or let us do the conversion for you during the transfer.
- Review the details: we’ll show you details like exchange rates or applicable costs and estimated arrival time. Hit Send when you’re ready to go.
- Track your money: you can check in-app to see exactly where your money is until it reaches its destination.
- Explore the app: we’re more than just a money transfer app, so explore other features like budgeting tools or our multi-currency cards.