Finance glossary
Sort Code
Also known as: Bank sort code
In simple terms
A sort code is the six-digit number that identifies your bank and the branch your account belongs to. Together with your account number, it tells a payment exactly where to go.
On this page
What does sort code mean?
A sort code is a six-digit number, usually written in three pairs (for example 12-34-56), that identifies a specific bank and branch in the UK and Ireland. It is one half of the addressing system for payments; your account number is the other.
The first digits indicate the banking group, and the code as a whole tells the payment system which institution and branch hold the account.
How a sort code works
When someone sends you money by bank transfer, they enter your sort code and account number so the payment systems (such as Faster Payments or Bacs) can route the funds to the right place. Confirmation of Payee then checks the account name matches before the payment goes through.
Your sort code and account number are printed on your card, statements and in your banking app. They are not secret in the way a PIN or password is — you share them to receive payments — but they should still be given only to people you intend to pay you.
How could this affect me?
You need your sort code and account number to receive wages, refunds or transfers, and to set up standing orders. Getting a single digit wrong can send money to the wrong account, which can be difficult to recover.
Sharing your sort code and account number to be paid is normal and safe. Be wary, though, if someone asks for them alongside other details as part of an unexpected request — fraudsters combine pieces of information to sound convincing.
Things to watch out for
- A single wrong digit can misdirect a payment — always double-check before sending or sharing.
- A sort code and account number let people pay you in, not take money out, but keep them for trusted use.
- Rely on Confirmation of Payee name checks to catch mistakes before a transfer completes.
- Be cautious sharing account details as part of any unexpected or pressured request.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- Pay.UK, Sort codes and the UK payments industry (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.