A sort code is a six-digit number, usually written as three pairs such as 60-16-13, that identifies the UK payment service provider, and often the branch or office, where an account is held. Together with an eight-digit account number it identifies a UK account for domestic sterling payments such as Faster Payments, CHAPS and Bacs. It also appears inside a UK IBAN.
Ultima verifica il 2026-10-28
| Field | Visible value |
|---|---|
| What it is | UK identifier for the payment provider holding an account |
| Format | Six digits, usually written in three pairs |
| Used with | An eight-digit account number |
| Used for | UK domestic payments, including Faster Payments, CHAPS and Bacs |
| Who allocates it | Allocated to UK account providers under rules managed by Pay.UK |
| Where it appears | Inside a UK IBAN, after the four-letter bank code |
| Quppy GBP routes | Faster Payments and CHAPS where enabled |
| Incoming GBP in Quppy | Not currently available |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-28 |
UK payment systems use the sort code to route a payment to the right payment provider. Pay.UK, which manages the rules for sort codes on behalf of the industry, describes them as an integral part of the information used to route and settle payments, and says they identify payment service providers so those providers can allocate accounts that make or receive payments.
Sort codes are listed in a central database, the Extended Industry Sort Code Directory. For each sort code it records the provider's office or branch, its address and the UK payment systems it takes part in, such as Bacs, Faster Payments and CHAPS.
A sort code has six digits and is usually written in three pairs, for example 60-16-13. It is used with an eight-digit account number. Together, the two identify one UK account.
Look in your banking app or online banking under account details, on a bank statement, or on the payment instructions the recipient gave you. If you are paying someone, always use the details they gave you directly, and confirm them through a separate channel if the request came by email or message.
A UK IBAN contains both the sort code and the account number. It has 22 characters: GB, two check digits, a four-letter bank code, the six-digit sort code and the eight-digit account number. In the example GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19, the sort code is 60-16-13 and the account number is 31926819.
UK domestic payments usually use the sort code and account number. Payments from abroad usually use the IBAN, and sometimes the BIC as well. Read IBAN vs account number for more.
Yes, for most new payees. Confirmation of Payee is a UK name-checking service that lets a payment provider check the name, sort code and account number when you set up a new payment. You see whether the name matches, closely matches, does not match, or cannot be checked. Stop and check the details if you get a no-match result.
Quppy supports eligible GBP operations through Faster Payments and CHAPS, where enabled for your account. Enter the beneficiary details the transfer flow asks for and review the route, amount and fee before you confirm.
Incoming GBP transfers are not currently available through Quppy. Do not give anyone a sort code and account number to pay you into Quppy unless the current app explicitly shows active GBP receiving details for your account, and do not rely on details shown in the past.
No. A sort code identifies a UK payment provider for UK domestic payments. A BIC, also called a SWIFT code, identifies an institution for international payments.
Usually not. Payments from abroad generally use the recipient's IBAN, which already contains the sort code.
Yes. Many accounts at the same provider or branch share a sort code. The account number distinguishes them.
No. Incoming GBP transfers are not currently available through Quppy.
This article explains UK payment identifiers and the current Quppy product configuration. The applicable Quppy and service-provider terms, country eligibility rules and information shown in the app prevail if they differ from this article.
An account number identifies an account within one country's banking system. An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is the internationally standardised version: a two-letter country code, two check digits and the domestic account details, including the account number. SEPA euro transfers use the IBAN. UK domestic sterling payments use a sort code and account number.
Quppy currently supports eligible EUR operations through SEPA Standard and SEPA Instant, and eligible GBP operations through Faster Payments and CHAPS. The exact incoming or outgoing direction, limits, processing status and provider depend on the user’s account configuration. Incoming GBP transfers are not currently available.
No. Incoming GBP payments are not currently available through Quppy. Eligible users may still have other GBP functionality, including managing an available GBP balance, exchanging EUR and GBP, using supported GBP payment operations and accessing supported GBP-to-crypto and crypto-to-GBP exchange through a separate crypto service. Check the current configuration shown in your account before acting.
Yes. Quppy charges no transfer fee for all currently supported fiat transfers in EUR and GBP. This applies to the Quppy transfer fee on eligible SEPA Standard, SEPA Instant, Faster Payments and CHAPS operations available to the account. Currency exchange, crypto exchange, blockchain-network and third-party costs are separate where applicable.
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