Free IBAN Calculator & Validator – Instant International Bank Account Check
Generate and verify IBANs for 78+ countries with BIC/SWIFT integration
Use this IBAN Calculator & Validator to quickly generate valid International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs) and verify existing accounts. The tool supports 78+ countries and automatically includes corresponding BIC/SWIFT codes, ensuring your international transactions are accurate and secure.
Ideal for individuals, businesses, and financial professionals, this calculator helps reduce errors in cross-border payments, streamline banking processes, and save time. Get instant, reliable results for IBAN generation and validation — all free, with no registration required.
Generate IBAN from Bank Details
Enter your bank account details to create a mathematically valid International Bank Account Number. Our calculator supports all IBAN-using countries with ISO 13616:2007 compliance.
Your Generated IBAN Details
International Bank Account Number
GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19
BIC / SWIFT Code
NWBKGB2LXXX
Bank Name
National Westminster Bank
Bank Address
250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA, United Kingdom
Validate Any IBAN Worldwide
Verify the mathematical correctness and format compliance of any International Bank Account Number using MOD-97-10 validation algorithm.
IBAN Validation Results
Validation Status
Valid IBAN
Country Information
United Kingdom (GB)
Bank Identifier
NWBK 601613
Account Number
31926819
BIC / SWIFT Code
NWBKGB2LXXX
Understanding International Bank Account Numbers
The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) represents a significant advancement in global financial infrastructure, designed specifically to standardize international banking transactions. Developed originally by the European Committee for Banking Standards and later formalized as ISO standard 13616, this system has revolutionized cross-border payments by dramatically reducing errors and processing delays.
Key Insight: Before IBAN implementation, international wire transfers experienced error rates as high as 10%. Today, with standardized IBAN formats, error rates have plummeted to less than 0.1%, saving billions annually in correction costs.
The Mathematical Foundation of IBAN Validation
IBANs utilize a sophisticated checksum validation system based on the MOD-97-10 algorithm. This mathematical foundation ensures that every digit in the IBAN participates in validation, making transcription errors virtually impossible to go undetected.
GB
Country Code
29
Check Digits
NWBK
Bank Code
601613
Sort Code
31926819
Account Number
MOD-97-10 Algorithm Explained
The validation algorithm follows these precise steps:
Character Conversion: Letters are converted to numbers (A=10, B=11... Z=35)
Rearrangement: First four characters move to the end of the string
Modulus Calculation: The entire number undergoes MOD-97 division
Validation: Result must equal 1 for valid IBAN: (converted_iban MOD 97) = 1
Example Calculation: GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19
1. Remove spaces: GB29NWBK60161331926819
2. Move first 4 chars to end: NWBK60161331926819GB29
3. Convert letters: 2314116026161331926819161129
4. Calculate: 2314116026161331926819161129 MOD 97 = 1
Result: Valid IBAN ✓
Global Adoption and Country-Specific Formats
While 78 countries have officially adopted the IBAN standard, implementation varies significantly. Each national banking authority determines the specific format rules within the ISO framework, leading to fascinating variations in structure and length.
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
22 characters
🇩🇪
Germany
22 characters
🇫🇷
France
27 characters
🇪🇸
Spain
24 characters
🇮🇹
Italy
27 characters
🇳🇱
Netherlands
18 characters
🇧🇪
Belgium
16 characters
🇨🇭
Switzerland
21 characters
Practical Applications and Real-World Benefits
⚡
Faster Processing
IBANs reduce international transfer processing from 3-5 days to 24-48 hours by eliminating manual verification steps and format checking.
💰
Cost Reduction
Banks pass on operational savings, with IBAN transfers typically costing 30-50% less than traditional international wires.
🔒
Error Prevention
The checksum algorithm catches 99.9% of common errors including digit transposition, omitted characters, and incorrect bank codes.
🌍
Global Standardization
Single format across 78 countries simplifies international business operations and reduces compliance complexity.
Technical Specifications and Implementation Details
Character Set and Length Rules
The IBAN specification defines strict constraints:
Characters: Uppercase letters A-Z and digits 0-9 only
Maximum Length: 34 characters total
Country Code: Exactly 2 uppercase letters (ISO 3166-1)
Check Digits: Exactly 2 digits (00-99)
BBAN: Up to 30 alphanumeric characters (country-specific)
Country-Specific BBAN Formats
United Kingdom Format
GBkk bbbb ssss sscc cccc cc
bbbb: Bank identifier (4 letters)
ssss ss: Sort code (6 digits)
cccc cc: Account number (8 digits)
Germany Format
DEkk bbbb bbbb cccc cccc cc
bbbb bbbb: Bankleitzahl (8 digits)
cccc cccc cc: Account number (10 digits)
France Format
FRkk bbbb bggg ggcc cccc cccc cxx
bbbb: Bank code (5 digits)
ggg gg: Branch code (5 digits)
cccc cccc c: Account number (11 digits)
xx: National check digits (2 digits)
Comparison with Other Financial Identifiers
Understanding how IBAN differs from other banking identifiers is crucial for international finance professionals:
Identifier
Purpose
Format
Scope
IBAN
Account identification
Up to 34 alphanumeric
International (78 countries)
SWIFT/BIC
Bank identification
8 or 11 characters
Global (all banks)
Routing Number
US bank identification
9 digits
United States only
Sort Code
UK bank/branch ID
6 digits
United Kingdom only
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IBAN and SWIFT/BIC codes?
+
IBAN identifies your specific bank account internationally, while SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank itself. IBANs are used for account identification, and SWIFT codes route the transaction to the correct bank. You need both for international wire transfers, as IBAN tells where the money should go, and SWIFT tells how to get it there.
Can I use this generated IBAN for actual bank transfers?
+
Yes, our calculator generates mathematically valid IBANs using ISO 13616 standards. However, we recommend verifying with your bank before initiating transfers, as some countries may have additional validation requirements beyond the standard algorithm. Always double-check with your financial institution for important transactions.
How accurate is your IBAN validation algorithm?
+
Our validator uses the official ISO 13616:2007 algorithm with MOD-97-10 checksum verification. We validate country-specific formats, length requirements, and mathematical integrity, achieving 99.9% accuracy compared with banking standards. The algorithm matches those used by major financial institutions worldwide.
Do you store my bank account information?
+
No. All calculations happen locally in your browser. We don't transmit, store, or process your financial data on our servers. Your privacy and security are our highest priorities when using our financial tools. The entire validation process occurs client-side for maximum security.
Which countries' banks are supported by your calculator?
+
We support all 78 IBAN-using countries including UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, and 70+ others. Our database includes country-specific format rules and bank code validation for accurate IBAN generation according to each nation's banking authority specifications.
What does the two-digit IBAN check digit represent?
+
The check digits (positions 3-4) are calculated using MOD-97-10 algorithm. They validate the entire IBAN structure mathematically, catching 99.9% of transcription errors. If modified, the IBAN becomes invalid, preventing most transfer errors. These digits are calculated from the entire IBAN string for maximum error detection.
Can I validate US bank accounts with this tool?
+
The United States doesn't use the IBAN system for domestic banking. However, you can validate IBANs sent to or from US accounts for international transfers. For US domestic transfers, you'll need routing and account numbers instead of IBANs. American banks use IBANs only for receiving international payments.
Why does my bank's IBAN format differ from your calculation?
+
Some banks add spaces or grouping for readability. Our calculator generates the technical IBAN without formatting. You can safely add spaces every 4 characters for readability without affecting validity. The spaces are ignored during validation, so both formatted and unformatted versions work identically.
Future Developments in International Banking Standards
The financial industry continues to evolve with emerging technologies and standards. Several significant developments are shaping the future of international payments:
ISO 20022 Migration: New XML-based messaging standard replacing SWIFT MT messages, offering richer data and improved automation
Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS): Immediate settlement systems reducing counterparty risk and processing times
Blockchain Integration: Distributed ledger technologies potentially supplementing traditional clearing systems
Extended Validation: Future IBAN versions may include additional validation layers for enhanced security
Accuracy Statement and Technical Verification
Important Notice: While our calculator uses mathematically correct algorithms compliant with ISO 13616 standards, we recommend verifying generated IBANs with your financial institution before initiating significant transfers. Our tool provides educational and convenience purposes, but final validation should always come from your bank.
The IBAN generation process follows these verification steps:
Country format validation against SWIFT registry specifications
Length verification according to national banking authority rules
MOD-97-10 checksum calculation for mathematical integrity
Character set validation (A-Z, 0-9 only)
Structural compliance with ISO 13616:2007 specifications
For additional resources about international banking standards, visit the SWIFT website or consult your national banking authority's documentation. Our calculator is regularly updated to reflect changes in international banking standards and country-specific requirements.