SWIFT code finder
get the BIC from any IBAN

A SWIFT code and a BIC are the same thing. Enter your IBAN and get the matching SWIFT/BIC code, the bank name and more details instantly. Free, no sign-up, right in your browser.

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What is a SWIFT code?

A SWIFT code is an internationally standardised code that uniquely identifies banks and financial institutions worldwide. SWIFT stands for "Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication", a cooperative based in Belgium that has run the global messaging network between financial institutions since 1973. The code is issued under the international standard ISO 9362 and has 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters.

In banking, "SWIFT code" and "BIC" (Business Identifier Code) are used interchangeably: they are exactly the same. If your bank or a transfer form asks for the SWIFT code, it means the BIC, and vice versa. With our tool you can derive the SWIFT code of any bank from an IBAN. Lookup works for banks in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and more than 30 other European countries.

SWIFT code structure: the four parts

Every SWIFT code (BIC) is made up of four clearly defined parts. The structure tells you which bank, in which country and at which location you are dealing with. The code is either 8 characters (BIC8, head office only) or 11 characters (BIC11, with a branch identifier).

Example: Commerzbank Frankfurt

COBA DE FF XXX

Bank code (4 chars) Country code (2 chars) Location code (2 chars) Branch code (3 chars, optional)

Bank code (positions 1 to 4): four letters that identify the institution, issued by SWIFT and unique worldwide. "COBA" is Commerzbank, "DEUT" Deutsche Bank, "INGD" ING-DiBa. The bank code is always alphabetic.

Country code (positions 5 to 6): two letters per ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 giving the bank's country. "DE" is Germany, "AT" Austria, "CH" Switzerland, "FR" France.

Location code (positions 7 to 8): two alphanumeric characters marking the city or region. "FF" is typically Frankfurt am Main, "MM" Munich, "HH" Hamburg, "BE" Berlin.

Branch code (positions 9 to 11, optional): three characters identifying a specific branch. "XXX" or a missing branch code stands for the head office. The 8-character code is usually enough for transfers.

SWIFT code vs BIC: is there a difference?

No. SWIFT code and BIC refer to exactly the same code. The official ISO name is "Business Identifier Code" (BIC), formerly "Bank Identifier Code". Because the SWIFT organisation manages and issues these codes, the term "SWIFT code" became common usage. The two terms are 100% interchangeable.

Since 2009 the official term has been "Business Identifier Code" (rather than "Bank Identifier Code"), because non-bank financial institutions can also hold a BIC. For your transfers the distinction is irrelevant: whether you enter "SWIFT code" or "BIC", the result is identical.

When do I need a SWIFT code?

Whether you need a SWIFT code depends on where you are sending money. Within the SEPA area (36 European countries, including all EU states plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) you have not needed a SWIFT code since 2016; the IBAN alone is enough.

For international transfers outside the SEPA area the SWIFT code is mandatory. When you send money to the US, Canada, Australia, Japan or other non-SEPA countries, you must provide the recipient bank's SWIFT/BIC code. Without a correct SWIFT code the transfer can be delayed, fail, or be routed to the wrong bank, which causes extra fees.

SWIFT codes of 15 major German banks

All codes come from official sources of the Deutsche Bundesbank and are updated regularly. For other banks, use the tool above or browse the bank directory.

Bank	SWIFT / BIC	Bank code
Deutsche Bank	DEUTDEFFXXX	500 700 10
Commerzbank	COBADEFFXXX	500 400 00
Postbank (Deutsche Bank)	PBNKDEFFXXX	100 100 10
HypoVereinsbank (UniCredit)	HYVEDEMMXXX	700 202 70
ING-DiBa	INGDDEFFXXX	500 105 17
DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank)	BYLADEM1001	120 300 00
Targobank	CMCIDEDDXXX	300 209 00
N26	NTSBDEB1XXX	100 110 01
Comdirect (Commerzbank)	COBADEHD001	200 411 33
Consorsbank (BNP Paribas)	CSDBDE71XXX	760 300 80
Sparkasse KölnBonn	COLSDE33XXX	370 501 98
Berliner Sparkasse	BELADEBEXXX	100 500 00
Hamburger Sparkasse	HASPDEHHXXX	200 505 50
Stadtsparkasse München	SSKMDEMMXXX	701 500 00
Landesbank Baden-Württemberg	SOLADEST600	600 501 01

Frequently asked questions about SWIFT codes

How do I find my SWIFT code?

The fastest way is our tool: enter your IBAN and the SWIFT/BIC code appears instantly. You can also find it on your bank statements, in online banking under account details, on the back of your bank card, or via our BIC calculator (enter the bank code).

Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC?

Yes. SWIFT code and BIC (Business Identifier Code) are exactly the same. The official ISO 9362 name is BIC, but because the SWIFT organisation manages and issues these codes, people commonly call them SWIFT codes. The terms are fully interchangeable.

Do I need a SWIFT code for SEPA transfers?

For SEPA transfers within the euro area you have not needed a SWIFT code since 2016; the IBAN is enough. For transfers outside the SEPA area (for example the US, Canada, Australia) the SWIFT code is still mandatory.

How long is a SWIFT code?

A SWIFT code is either 8 or 11 characters. The 8-character version (BIC8) identifies a bank head office. The 11-character version (BIC11) adds a 3-character branch code. Both are valid for transfers.

What do the letters in a SWIFT code mean?

Characters 1 to 4 are the bank code (e.g. DEUT for Deutsche Bank), 5 to 6 the ISO country code (e.g. DE for Germany), 7 to 8 the location code (e.g. FF for Frankfurt), and the optional 9 to 11 the branch code (e.g. XXX for the head office).

Find a SWIFT code by country

SWIFT codes are country-specific: the country code (positions 5 to 6) shows where the bank is registered. Pick a country to see the IBAN format, length and example IBANs.