The routing number on a check is the nine-digit number printed at the bottom left. It sits between two special symbols that look like vertical lines with colons (|:), making it easy to spot once you know what to look for. Here’s how to identify it and distinguish it from the other numbers printed alongside it.
Where to Look on the Check
Flip your check over so the front faces you and look at the bottom edge. You’ll see a line of numbers printed in a special font called MICR (magnetic ink character recognition), which banks use to process checks by machine. Three distinct sets of numbers appear in that line, separated by small symbols.
The routing number is the first group of nine digits, starting from the left side. It’s framed by symbols that resemble |: on each end. Every routing number in the United States is exactly nine digits long, so if the group you’re looking at has more or fewer than nine, you’re reading the wrong number.
Routing Number vs. Account Number vs. Check Number
The bottom of a personal check typically shows three sets of numbers in this order, reading left to right:
- Routing number (9 digits): Identifies your bank or credit union. Enclosed by the |: symbols.
- Account number (varies): Identifies your specific checking account. This can range from 8 to 17 digits depending on your bank.
- Check number (3–4 digits): Matches the number printed in the upper right corner of the check. This is the shortest set of digits.
On some business checks or checks printed by different vendors, the account number and routing number may be swapped, with the account number appearing first. The reliable way to confirm which is which: count the digits and look for those |: bracket symbols. The nine-digit number between those symbols is always the routing number.
What the Routing Number Actually Does
A routing number tells the banking system which financial institution holds your account. When someone deposits your check, their bank reads the routing number to know where to send the payment request. Think of it as a zip code for your bank rather than for your mailbox.
Large banks that operate in many regions sometimes use different routing numbers depending on where you opened your account or which state you bank in. If you have multiple checking accounts at the same bank, they may share the same routing number but will always have different account numbers.
Using the Routing Number for Electronic Payments
The routing number printed on your check works for paper transactions, and banks sometimes call it the ABA routing number (named after the American Bankers Association, which created the system). When you set up direct deposit, pay bills online, or send an electronic transfer, the system uses what’s called an ACH routing number.
At many banks, the ABA number on your check and the ACH number for electronic transfers are the same. At some institutions, though, they differ. If you’re setting up direct deposit for your paycheck or a tax refund, check your bank’s website or mobile app for the correct electronic routing number rather than assuming it matches the one on your checks.
Finding Your Routing Number Without a Check
If you don’t have a checkbook handy, you have several other options:
- Online banking or mobile app: Log in and look under account details. Most banks display the routing number on the account summary or settings page.
- Bank’s website: Many banks list their routing numbers on a public help page, often organized by state or region.
- Bank statement: Some monthly statements include the routing number near the top alongside your account number.
- Customer service: Call the number on the back of your debit card and ask. You’ll usually need to verify your identity first.
For wire transfers specifically, your bank may use a separate wire routing number that differs from both the check and ACH versions. When in doubt, confirm directly with your bank which routing number applies to the type of transaction you’re setting up.