Your ABA routing number is the nine-digit code printed at the bottom left of your checks. It identifies your bank or credit union and is required for direct deposits, wire transfers, bill payments, and moving money between accounts. If you don’t have a check handy, there are several other fast ways to find it.
Find It on a Check
Look at the bottom of any personal check from your account. You’ll see a string of numbers printed in a distinctive blocky font. The ABA routing number is the leftmost group of nine digits. Your account number comes next, followed by the individual check number. The routing number is always exactly nine digits, which makes it easy to distinguish from the others.
Find It Through Online or Mobile Banking
If you don’t use paper checks, your bank’s website or app will have the routing number on file. Log into your online banking portal and look for a section labeled “account information,” “account summary,” or “account details.” The routing number is typically listed alongside your account number. In a mobile banking app, check under settings, account details, or direct deposit information. Some banks also display it on a page specifically designed to help you set up direct deposit, which will show both numbers formatted and ready to share with an employer or payment service.
Use the Official ABA Lookup Tool
The American Bankers Association maintains an online routing number lookup tool through its official registrar, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. You can search by bank name to find or verify a routing number. This is especially useful when you’re setting up a transfer and want to double-check that the number you have is correct before submitting it. The tool is available at aba.com.
Your bank’s customer service line can also confirm the routing number over the phone. If you’re setting up a high-value transaction like a wire transfer, calling the bank directly is worth the extra minute.
ACH vs. Wire Routing Numbers
Many large banks use different routing numbers for ACH transfers and wire transfers, which catches people off guard. ACH transfers move money through a shared electronic network and handle everyday transactions: direct deposit paychecks, bill payments, transfers between your own accounts, and person-to-person payments through apps. They typically take a few business days to process and cost little or nothing.
Wire transfers send money directly from one institution to another, usually within the same day. They’re common for large, time-sensitive payments like a down payment on a house. They also cost more, and unlike ACH transfers, they generally can’t be reversed once sent.
The routing number your bank lists for ACH transactions may not be the same one it uses for wires. When you’re setting up a transfer, make sure you’re using the right one for the type of transaction you need. Your bank’s website or customer service team will specify which number to use for each.
Where You’ll Need It
You’ll use your ABA routing number anytime money needs to flow into or out of your bank account electronically. The most common situations include:
- Direct deposit setup with a new employer or for government benefits like tax refunds
- Automatic bill payments pulled directly from your checking account
- Transferring money between accounts at different banks
- Wire transfers for large purchases or international payments
- Linking accounts to payment apps or investment platforms
In each case, you’ll typically provide both your routing number and your account number. The routing number tells the system which bank to reach, and the account number tells it which account at that bank is yours. Treat both numbers with the same care you’d give a debit card number, since anyone with both pieces of information can initiate a withdrawal from your account.
Why Your Bank Might Have More Than One
A single bank can have multiple routing numbers. Banks that have merged with other institutions often keep the old routing numbers active for existing customers. Some large national banks assign different routing numbers by region, based on where you opened your account. If your bank has branches across the country, the routing number for a customer who opened an account on the East Coast may differ from one assigned on the West Coast. Always confirm the routing number tied to your specific account rather than assuming the first result from a web search applies to you.