UK Sort Code & Account Number to IBAN Converter (2026/27)
Generate standard 22-character UK International Bank Account Numbers (IBAN) and BIC/SWIFT codes from 6-digit sort codes and 8-digit account numbers.
An International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is a standardized international system for identifying bank accounts across international borders. When receiving funds from abroad or setting up international wire transfers into a UK bank account, overseas senders require your UK IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code.
In the UK, an IBAN consists of exactly 22 alphanumeric characters. It seamlessly incorporates the country code (GB), two MOD-97 check digits, a 4-letter bank identifier code, your 6-digit domestic sort code, and your 8-digit bank account number.
⚙️ Rules & Thresholds
- UK IBAN Structure (22 characters):
- Country Code:
GB(2 letters) - Check Digits: 2 numerical digits calculated via MOD-97 algorithm.
- Bank Identifier: 4-letter alphabetic bank code (e.g.
HURCfor HSBC,BARCfor Barclays,LOYDfor Lloyds,NWBKfor NatWest). - Sort Code: 6 numerical digits (e.g.
20-00-00). - Account Number: 8 numerical digits (e.g.
12345678).
- Country Code:
- SWIFT / BIC Code (8 or 11 characters): Bank Identifier Code used alongside IBAN for international wire routing.
- SEPA Compatibility: UK accounts participate in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), enabling fast euro transfers using IBANs.
📊 Practical Examples
- Sort Code: 20-00-00
- Account Number: 12345678
- Bank: HSBC Bank UK (HURC)
4-Letter Bank Code: HURC
MOD-97 Check Digits: Calculated (e.g., 28)
Formatted 22-Char IBAN: GB28 HURC 2000 0012 3456 78
BIC / SWIFT Code: HURCGB21
📑 Common Pitfalls
- Confusing Account Numbers: Adding extra zeros or using 7-digit old account numbers without leading zeros will cause IBAN validation checks to fail.
- Confusing IBAN with BIC: An IBAN identifies your specific personal account, whereas a BIC/SWIFT code identifies your bank’s institution branch network. Both are required for global wire transfers.
- Spaces in Digital Transfers: While spaces are added for human visual readability (e.g.,
GB28 HURC 2000...), remove spaces when pasting into electronic banking forms.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) identifies your individual specific bank account held at a bank. A SWIFT or BIC (Bank Identifier Code) identifies the financial institution and branch network overall. International transfers require both the recipient's IBAN and BIC.
Your official UK IBAN and BIC code can be found directly on your paper bank statement, inside your online banking web portal, or within your bank's mobile banking app under account details or statement settings.
Yes. The UK remains a full member of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). You can provide your UK IBAN to senders in European SEPA member countries to receive euro credit transfers directly into your UK bank account.
The 2-digit MOD-97 check digits built into every IBAN act as an automated mathematical safety lock. If a sender mistypes any digit in your sort code, account number, or bank code, foreign banking software will reject the transaction before money leaves the sender's account.