Your bank account number is printed on your checks, available in your bank’s mobile app or website, and listed on certain bank documents. If you don’t have any of those handy, you can also get it by calling your bank or visiting a branch. Here’s how each method works and how to make sure you’re grabbing the right number.
Find It in Your Bank’s App or Website
The fastest way to get your account number is through your bank’s mobile app or online banking portal. Most major banks follow a similar pattern: sign in, tap or click on the specific account (checking, savings, etc.), then look for a link labeled something like “Show details,” “Account details,” or “View account info.” Your full account number and routing number will appear in that dropdown or detail screen.
On Chase’s app, for example, you tap the account tile, then tap “Show details,” and both numbers appear immediately. Other banks use slightly different labels, but the idea is the same. Look for a details or settings option on the account summary page. If you’ve never logged in to online banking, you can usually set up access with your debit card number or Social Security number through the bank’s website.
Read It Off a Personal Check
If you have a checkbook, your account number is printed along the bottom of every check. That line of numbers, printed in magnetic ink, contains three pieces of information from left to right: the routing number, your account number, and the check number.
The routing number is always exactly nine digits and comes first. Your account number follows and is typically between nine and 12 digits, though some banks use longer ones. The check number (a short number matching the one printed in the upper-right corner of the check) comes last. A small symbol that looks like a vertical line or bracket separates each group, making them easier to tell apart. If you’re not sure which group is which, count the digits. The nine-digit number at the far left is always the routing number, not your account number.
Check Your Bank Statements
Monthly bank statements, whether paper or digital, display your account number near the top of the document. There’s a catch, though: many banks now mask part of the number for security, showing only the last four digits and replacing the rest with Xs or asterisks. A 10-digit account number might appear as xxxxxx8376, for instance.
If your statement shows a masked number, it won’t help you fill out a direct deposit form or set up an ACH transfer. Older statements or those from smaller banks sometimes still print the full number, so it’s worth checking. But don’t count on it.
Look at Direct Deposit or ACH Records
If you’ve previously set up direct deposit with an employer or linked your bank account to a payment service, you may have a copy of your full account number in those records. Check your employer’s payroll portal, your Venmo or PayPal linked-accounts settings, or any voided check image you may have submitted digitally. Keep in mind that many of these services also mask the number for security, so this method works only if the full number was saved somewhere you can access.
Call Your Bank or Visit a Branch
If none of the above options work, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card. After verifying your identity (usually with your Social Security number, date of birth, and security questions), a representative can read your full account number to you over the phone. You can also walk into any branch with a government-issued photo ID and get it in person. This is the most reliable fallback if you don’t have online access, checks, or usable statements.
How to Tell Your Account Number From Your Routing Number
These two numbers travel together on almost every banking document, and mixing them up is easy. The routing number identifies your bank. It’s always exactly nine digits, and every customer at the same bank branch shares the same one. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. It’s usually nine to 12 digits and is unique to you.
When filling out forms for direct deposit, wire transfers, or automatic payments, you’ll typically need both numbers. The form will have separate fields for each, so double-check that you’re putting each number in the right spot. Swapping them can delay a transfer or send money to the wrong place.
Keep Your Account Number Secure
Your account number, combined with your routing number, gives someone enough information to initiate withdrawals from your account. Treat it like sensitive personal data. Avoid sending it over text message or unencrypted email. When you need to share it, use your bank’s secure messaging feature, a payroll portal, or hand-deliver a voided check. If you suspect your account number has been compromised, contact your bank immediately to discuss options, which may include closing the account and opening a new one with a fresh number.