How Long Does It Take for a Check to Clear?

How Long Does It Take for a Check to Clear?

Most checks clear within two business days, but exact times can vary based on the age and standing of your bank account. Sometimes, your funds may be available the same day you deposit the check; other times, it could take a week or more (more on that below).

Under federal law, the first $225 of a larger deposit must be available by the next business day. Usually, banks make that $225 available the next business day, and the rest of the deposit on the following business day.

It's important to know:

• Saturdays are not considered a business day, even if the bank is open on Saturdays.
• Deposits made after a bank's cutoff time are considered to be made on the next business day. By law, cutoff times for deposits at a branch cannot be earlier than 2 p.m.; cutoff times for ATM deposits cannot be earlier than noon. Mobile deposits may have different cutoff times; check with your bank.

Example:

• If you deposit a check for $1,000 on Friday before the bank's cutoff time, $225 of the funds will typically be available in your bank account on Monday and the rest on Tuesday.
• If you deposit a check for $1,000 on Friday after the bank's cutoff time, the deposit is considered to have been made the following Monday (the next business day). You can usually expect to see $225 of the funds in your account on Tuesday and the remainder on Wednesday.

You can typically set alerts through your bank account's website or app to get notified by text, email or push alerts when a check clears.

Tip: To see if a check has cleared, log in to your bank account and look at your balance. Your account balance includes deposits that haven't cleared; your available balance is how much is available to use now.

Reasons Why It Might Take Longer for a Check to Clear

In some situations, it could take longer than usual for a check to clear. Banks may place extended holds on a check if:

• You deposited more than $5,525 in one day
• You opened your bank account less than 30 days ago
• Your account has repeatedly been overdrawn
• You're redepositing a check after it was returned
• You made the deposit at an ATM your bank does not own
• The bank has reason to believe the check funds can't be collected from the original bank
• The check was deposited during an emergency over which your bank had no control, such as a natural disaster or computer systems going down

Typically, these temporary holds last between seven and nine business days after you deposit the check, but the length of time can vary depending on your bank or credit union. You can find your bank's policies regarding funds availability in the "account disclosures" or "deposit account agreement" documents explaining your account. Federal law requires your bank to notify you if they plan to hold your funds for longer than the normal amount of time.

Learn more: How to Manage Your Checking Account

Alternatives to Checks

If you can't wait two days or more for a check to clear, here are some faster ways to send and receive money.

1. Sign up for direct deposit. Enrolling in direct deposit of your paycheck typically gives you access to your paycheck the next business day or even the same day. Some banks and credit unions even offer early direct deposit, which makes your paycheck, pension or government benefits available up to two days earlier than they would be otherwise.
2. Use a peer-to-peer payment service. If the person paying you is enrolled in a peer-to-peer payment service, you can get your money immediately. Payments from Zelle and Cash App are sent instantly for free; PayPal and Venmo provide instant access to your funds for a transaction fee of 1.75% of the transfer amount.
3. Opt for a wire transfer. Wire transfers can be expensive, with fees up to $35 to send money and up to $25 to receive it, depending on your bank. However, domestic wire transfers are typically completed within 24 hours and are a secure way to send large amounts of money.
4. Choose a bank that clears checks quickly. When looking for a new bank account, find out how quickly banks make deposited funds available to you. Many banks advertise same-day fund availability for checks deposited in a branch location, for example.
5. Deposit checks in person. Cashing your check at a physical location before the bank's cutoff time for deposits is the best way to ensure quick access to your funds. Mobile check deposits and deposits made at ATMs after hours may take longer to clear than checks deposited in a branch.

Learn more: How Much Should You Keep in Checking and Savings?

The Bottom Line

Managing your checking account is key to avoiding overdraft fees, nonsufficient funds fees or returned payment fees. Knowing when a check will clear can help ensure you always have enough money in your account to cover your bills.

If you're thinking about opening a new checking account, the Experian Smart Money^™ Digital Checking Account & Debit Card can help you build credit without debt by automatically linking to Experian Boost^®ø, which gives you credit for eligible bill payments after three months of payments. You'll also pay no monthly fees^¶ for Experian Smart Money, have access to more than 55,000 fee-free ATMs worldwide^** and could receive your paychecks up to two days early when you enroll in direct deposit^†. You can get an Experian Smart Money Account through a free or paid Experian membership, which also gives you access to your FICO^® Score^Θ, Experian credit report and more. See terms at experian.com/legal.