BIC / SWIFT Code Format Validator
Check the syntax of 8- or 11-character BIC and SWIFT codes. Understand code components and why a format check does not confirm bank registration.
Separate BIC syntax from bank registration.
A BIC is a structured institution identifier, commonly called a SWIFT code. This tool checks the arrangement of letters and digits in an eight- or eleven-character input. It does not consult a live registration directory or establish a relationship with any account.
- 01
Inspect the groups
Read four institution letters, two country letters, two location characters and, for an eleven-character value, a three-character branch suffix.
- 02
Run the syntax check
The input is normalized for spaces and case. Check the resulting value rather than assuming your own application performs the same normalization.
- 03
Test invalid structure
Add or remove one character, or place a digit in the institution-letter portion. Record the expected syntax failure in your own tests.
Example: inspect a structural placeholder
AAAA | BB | CC | 123
4 letters | 2 letters | 2 letters/digits | optional 3
AAAABBCC and AAAABBCC123 illustrate the two lengths.These placeholders illustrate syntax only. Passing this pattern does not prove that BB is an assigned country code or that the institution or branch is registered.
| Part | Syntax checked | Not verified |
|---|---|---|
| Institution | Four letters | Registered institution |
| Country | Two letters | Assigned country code |
| Location / branch | Allowed length and characters | Operational location |
Before you use the result
Practical answers for your next test.
Does the validator check a live SWIFT directory?
No. Its result is a syntax check, without registration or operational-status verification.
Is an eight-character BIC necessarily incomplete?
No. The syntax supports eight characters without a branch suffix and eleven with one.
Does a BIC prove that an IBAN belongs to the same bank?
No. The standalone syntax check does not establish a relationship between those identifiers.