Tool
Sort Code Checker UK
Check whether a UK sort code has the expected six-digit format. Enter it as either 12-34-56 or 123456. The check runs entirely in your browser.
Accepted formats: 12-34-56 or 123456.
Check the bank with an official source
We do not display a bank or branch name because this site does not currently have a licensed, authoritative and maintainable sort code directory. For current bank information, use one of these official industry sources:
What is a sort code?
A sort code is a six-digit identifier used in the United Kingdom and Ireland to route domestic payments to a bank and branch. In the UK it is normally written as three pairs of digits. The format alone can tell you whether the value looks like a sort code, but only a current directory can confirm which institution it belongs to and whether it is available for a particular payment scheme.
How to find your sort code
You can usually find your sort code in your bank's mobile app or online banking, on a bank statement, or on payment details supplied by the account holder. Some debit cards also show it. When money is at stake, confirm the details through a trusted channel and use Vocalink or Bacs for an authoritative directory lookup.
Sort codes, IBANs and BIC/SWIFT codes
A sort code routes UK domestic payments to a bank branch. A UK IBAN identifies an account in the international IBAN format and includes the domestic sort code and account number within its BBAN section. A BIC, also called a SWIFT code, identifies a bank in international financial messaging. They serve related but different purposes, and one should not be guessed from another without a reliable directory.
Sort code checker FAQ
- What is a UK sort code?
- A UK sort code is a six-digit number used to identify the bank and branch involved in a domestic payment. It is commonly displayed as three pairs of digits, such as 12-34-56.
- How can I check which bank a sort code belongs to?
- Use a current, authoritative directory such as the Vocalink or Bacs sort code checker. This page checks only whether the number has a valid six-digit format and does not identify a bank or branch.
- Does a valid sort code prove that an account exists?
- No. A correctly formatted sort code does not verify the bank account, account holder, or whether the account can receive a payment.
- Is a sort code the same as a SWIFT or BIC code?
- No. A sort code identifies a UK bank branch for domestic payments. A BIC or SWIFT code identifies a bank for international messaging, while an IBAN identifies a specific account in an internationally standardised format.
- Can I enter a sort code without hyphens?
- Yes. This checker accepts both 12-34-56 and 123456. The digits must otherwise be exactly six characters long.