Your bank account number appears on your checks, in your bank’s mobile app or website, and on your monthly statements. The fastest method depends on what you have in front of you right now. Here’s how to find it using each option.
Check the Bottom of a Paper Check
If you have a checkbook, flip to any check and look at the string of numbers printed along the bottom edge. This line, called the MICR line, contains three separate numbers reading left to right: the routing number (which identifies your bank), your account number, and the check number. The routing number is always nine digits. Your account number is typically longer and more complex than the short check number that follows it.
One thing to watch for: some banks swap the order of the account number and the check number, placing the check number second and the account number third. If you see a short number followed by a longer one, the longer number is almost certainly your account number. The routing number always comes first.
Find It in Your Bank’s App or Website
Most banks let you view your full account number through their mobile app or online banking portal. The exact menu labels vary by bank, but the process is similar everywhere. Select the account you want, look for a link or tab labeled something like “Account details,” “Account & routing number,” or “Account information,” and your full number will appear on screen. Some banks hide part of the number by default and require you to tap “Show full number” or verify your identity with a fingerprint or password before displaying it.
If you’ve never enrolled in online or mobile banking, you can usually sign up on your bank’s website using your Social Security number, debit card number, or the account number itself. Since you’re trying to find the account number in the first place, you may need to use one of the other methods here to get started.
Look at a Bank Statement
Your account number is printed on every monthly statement, whether you receive it on paper or download a PDF. It typically appears near the top of the first page, often in the upper right corner alongside your name and the statement period. If you have multiple accounts with the same bank, the primary account number usually stays in the upper right corner of each page, while additional account numbers appear next to each account’s name in the body of the statement.
Keep in mind that some banks mask part of the account number on statements for security, showing only the last four digits. If your statement is masked, you’ll need to use the app, a check, or contact the bank directly.
Call Your Bank or Visit a Branch
If none of the options above work, you can call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch in person. A representative can look up your account number after verifying your identity. Expect to provide your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and possibly a government-issued photo ID if you’re at a branch.
If you’re trying to access someone else’s account number, the bank will ask for legal documentation proving you have the authority to do so, such as a power of attorney or, in the case of a deceased account holder, a death certificate and court appointment as executor of the estate.
Account Number vs. Routing Number
Your account number identifies your specific account at the bank. The routing number identifies the bank itself. You need both when setting up direct deposit, linking external accounts, or sending a wire transfer. The routing number is always nine digits and is the same for every customer at that bank (or at least every customer in the same region). Your account number is unique to you.
When someone asks for your “bank account number” for payroll or a payment, they almost always need the routing number too. Having both ready will save you a second trip to look them up.
Keeping Your Account Number Secure
Your account number alone isn’t enough for someone to drain your account, but paired with your routing number it can be used to set up unauthorized withdrawals or create counterfeit checks. Avoid sharing it over email or text unless you’re using a secure messaging channel provided by your bank. When you write a check, you’re already sharing both numbers with the recipient, which is normal. But don’t post photos of checks on social media or leave voided checks lying around. If you suspect your account number has been compromised, contact your bank immediately. Most banks will close the old account number and issue a new one at no charge.