SWIFT / BIC Code Lookup & Validator

A SWIFT code (also called a BIC, Bank Identifier Code) is a standard 8 or 11 character code that uniquely identifies a bank or branch worldwide. It is used to route international wire transfers and other cross-border financial messages to the right institution. SWIFT stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.

A SWIFT/BIC code has up to four parts: the first 4 letters are the bank code, the next 2 letters are the ISO country code, the next 2 characters are the location code (city/head office), and an optional final 3 characters are the branch code. A code ending in XXX, or an 8-character code, refers to the bank's primary (head) office.

Paste it into the validator above. A valid SWIFT/BIC is exactly 8 or 11 characters, with the first six being letters (bank + country) and the rest letters or digits. The validator checks the length and format and shows each component. Note: a correctly formatted code is structurally valid, but always confirm the exact code with your bank or the recipient before sending money.

A SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank; an IBAN identifies a specific account at that bank. International transfers often need both — the SWIFT code to route the payment to the bank and the IBAN to credit the right account. You can validate an IBAN with our IBAN Validator.

Both are valid. An 8-character code points to the bank's head office. An 11-character code adds a 3-character branch code for a specific branch. When only 8 characters are given, XXX is assumed for the branch, which also means the primary office.

No. The validator runs entirely in your browser and nothing is sent to a server or stored. The country directory is a static reference list of publicly known bank SWIFT codes.