Your account number is the second set of numbers printed along the bottom of a personal check, sitting between the routing number on the left and the check number on the right. All three numbers are printed in a special magnetic ink that banks use for automated processing.
Reading the Bottom of a Check
The bottom of every check has a line of numbers printed in a distinctive, slightly unusual font. Reading from left to right, you’ll find three groups of numbers in this order:
- Routing number (first): A nine-digit number that identifies your bank and its branch. This is always the leftmost group.
- Account number (second): The middle group, which can be up to 12 digits long. This is the number tied to your specific checking account.
- Check number (third): A shorter number, typically four digits, that matches the check number printed in the upper-right corner of the check. This simply tells the bank which check in your checkbook was used.
Each group is separated by small symbols that look like vertical lines or colons. These symbols aren’t decorative. They’re part of the magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) system that lets bank processing machines read checks automatically. You can ignore the symbols when you’re just looking for your numbers.
How to Tell the Account Number Apart
The easiest way to identify your account number is by elimination. Count nine digits from the left: that’s your routing number, and every bank in the country uses exactly nine digits for it. Skip past it, and the next group of digits is your account number. Account numbers vary in length depending on the bank, ranging from eight to 12 digits. The short number at the far right is the check number, which you can verify by comparing it to the number printed at the top of the check.
If you’re setting up direct deposit or linking a bank account to a payment app, you’ll need both the routing number and the account number. The check number is never required for these tasks, so you can safely skip that third group.
Business Checks Can Look Different
On some business checks, the check number and account number swap positions. The check number appears as the first group on the left (before the routing number), and the account number follows the routing number on the right. If the first number on the bottom of your check matches the check number printed at the top, you’re looking at this reversed layout. Your account number will be the last long group of digits on the right side instead of the middle.
When in doubt, match the short number on the bottom line to the check number at the top corner. Once you’ve identified that, the nine-digit routing number and your account number become easy to pick out.
Finding Your Account Number Without a Check
If you don’t have a checkbook handy, your account number is available in several other places. Most bank mobile apps display it when you tap into your account details. Chase, for example, shows both your account and routing numbers after you sign in, select the account, and tap “Show details.” Most other major banks follow a similar pattern in their apps and online banking portals.
You can also find your account number on your monthly bank statement, whether it’s a paper copy or a PDF downloaded from your bank’s website. The number typically appears near the top of the first page alongside your name and address. If you’ve previously set up direct deposit, your employer’s payroll records will also have your account and routing numbers on file.
For situations where you need an official document, such as wiring money or verifying your account for a new financial service, many banks let you generate a direct deposit form or a verification letter directly from their website or app. Visiting a branch with a photo ID will also get you the numbers on the spot.