Question 1

What is an IBAN and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally agreed system for identifying bank accounts across national borders. It was originally developed to facilitate payments within the European Union and is now used in 75+ countries worldwide.

IBAN Structure:

2 letters: Country code (ISO 3166-1)
2 digits: Check digits (MOD-97)
Up to 30 characters: Bank & account details
Total: 15-34 characters depending on country

Question 2

How does IBAN validation work?

Accepted Answer

IBAN validation uses the MOD-97 algorithm to verify the check digits. The process involves: (1) Moving the first 4 characters to the end, (2) Replacing letters with numbers (A=10, B=11, etc.), (3) Calculating the remainder when divided by 97. If the remainder is 1, the IBAN is valid. This mathematical check catches most typos and invalid IBANs instantly.

Question 3

Which countries use IBAN?

Accepted Answer

Over 75 countries use IBAN, including all EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, UK, Norway, Monaco, and many Middle Eastern and Caribbean nations. Each country has a specific IBAN format with different lengths (15-34 characters). Notable countries NOT using IBAN include the USA, Canada, Australia, China, and Japan, which use different account number systems.

Question 4

Can this tool validate if an IBAN account actually exists?

Accepted Answer

No, this validator only checks if the IBAN format is mathematically correct using the MOD-97 algorithm. It cannot verify if the account actually exists, is active, or has funds. Only banks and payment processors can verify actual account existence. This tool is perfect for catching typos and format errors before submitting payments.

Question 5

What information can I extract from an IBAN?

Accepted Answer

From a valid IBAN, you can extract: (1) Country code (first 2 letters), (2) Check digits (next 2 digits), (3) Bank code (varies by country), (4) Branch code (if applicable), (5) Account number. Our tool automatically extracts and displays this information, including the country name and IBAN length validation for that specific country.

Question 6

Is my IBAN data secure when using this validator?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! All IBAN validation happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No IBAN numbers are sent to our servers, stored, logged, or transmitted anywhere. Your banking information never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security. The tool works offline once the page is loaded.

Question 7

What are check digits in an IBAN?

Accepted Answer

Check digits are the 3rd and 4th characters in an IBAN (after the country code). They are calculated using the MOD-97 algorithm based on all other characters in the IBAN. These digits serve as a checksum to detect errors in the IBAN. If even one character is wrong, the check digits will not match, and the IBAN will be flagged as invalid.

Question 8

Can I validate multiple IBANs at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our bulk validation feature allows you to validate multiple IBAN numbers simultaneously. Simply enter one IBAN per line or comma-separated, and the tool will validate each one, showing the country, bank details, validity status, and any errors. This is particularly useful for businesses processing multiple international payments or validating customer data.

Question 9

What is the difference between IBAN and SWIFT/BIC?

Accepted Answer

IBAN identifies the specific bank account (account holder), while SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank itself. For international transfers, you typically need both: IBAN tells which account to send money to, and SWIFT/BIC tells which bank holds that account. IBAN is like a complete address including house number, while SWIFT/BIC is like the city name.

Question 10

Why do IBAN lengths vary by country?

Accepted Answer

Different countries have different banking systems and account number formats that existed before IBAN was created. When IBAN was introduced, it was designed to accommodate these existing systems. For example, German IBANs are 22 characters (shorter account numbers), while Maltese IBANs are 31 characters (longer account codes). The IBAN standard defines the exact length for each country.

IBAN Validator

Enter IBAN

Validation Results

What is IBAN?

Why Validate IBANs?

IBAN Examples by Country

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Netherlands

Belgium

Switzerland

Austria

Poland

Sweden

Denmark

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