- What is a sort code?
- A sort code is a 6-digit number used in the United Kingdom and Ireland to identify a bank and its branch. Written as three pairs of digits separated by hyphens (e.g., 20-00-00), sort codes are used for domestic bank transfers via Faster Payments, BACS, and CHAPS, as well as direct debits and standing orders. There are approximately 70,000 sort codes in the UK, managed by Pay.UK through the Industry Sort Code Directory (ISCD).
- How are sort codes structured?
- The first two digits typically identify the bank: 20 for Barclays, 30 for Lloyds, 40 for HSBC, 60 for NatWest, 77 for TSB, and 80–83 for Bank of Scotland. The remaining four digits identify the specific branch. Some banks have been reassigned codes after mergers or acquisitions — for example, many former RBS sort codes (15–16) now route to NatWest. Sort codes can also be shared between banks when branches are co-located.
- Where can I find my sort code?
- Your sort code appears on your bank card (usually on the front), bank statements, cheque book (bottom-left alongside the account number), and in your online or mobile banking app. It is always displayed alongside your 8-digit account number. Together, the sort code and account number uniquely identify a UK bank account. You can also find it by searching for your bank branch online or calling your bank’s customer service line.
- Is a sort code the same as a routing number?
- No. Sort codes are used in the UK and Ireland (6 digits, format XX-XX-XX), while routing numbers (ABA RTNs) are used in the United States (9 digits). They serve a similar purpose — identifying a bank for domestic transfers — but use different formats and validation methods. Sort codes are validated by format and bank data lookup, while routing numbers use a 3-7-1 weighted checksum algorithm. For international transfers from the UK, you would use a 22-character IBAN (format: GB + 2 check digits + 4-letter bank code + sort code + account number). You can validate all three formats on BankCheck.