Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. You can find it in several places: printed on your checks, displayed in your online banking or mobile app, or listed on your bank’s website. Here’s how to locate it using whichever method is easiest for you.
Find It on a Check
The fastest way to find your routing number is to look at the bottom of a personal check. You’ll see a line of numbers printed in a special font. The routing number is the first set of nine digits on the bottom left. Your account number follows it (typically 9 to 12 digits), and the check number appears last in that row as well as in the upper right corner of the check.
Every routing number is exactly nine digits. If you’re counting and get a different number, you’re probably looking at the account number instead. The routing number always comes first from the left, and on most checks it’s separated from the other numbers by small symbols that look like vertical lines or colons.
Find It in Online Banking or Your Bank’s App
If you don’t have checks, your bank’s website or mobile app will show your routing number. Log in, select your checking or savings account, and look for a section labeled something like “Account Details,” “Account Numbers,” or “Account Numbers & More.” The exact label varies by bank, but it’s almost always on the main account summary screen or one tap away from it.
Some banks hide routing and account numbers behind a “Show” or “View” button for security. If you don’t see the numbers right away, look for an eye icon or a link that says “Show account details.” You may need to re-enter your password or confirm your identity before the full numbers appear.
Find It on Your Bank’s Website (No Login Needed)
Most banks publish their routing numbers on a public page you can find by searching the bank’s name plus “routing number.” This is especially helpful if you’re locked out of your account or haven’t set up online banking yet. Banks that operate in multiple regions sometimes use different routing numbers depending on where you opened your account, so make sure you’re selecting the correct state or region if the site asks.
Look It Up Through the Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve maintains a free online directory where you can search for any bank’s routing number by name, location, or routing number. Visit the Federal Reserve’s E-Payments Routing Directory at frbservices.org to search. This is an official government tool, so it’s a reliable way to verify a routing number you’ve been given or to look one up from scratch.
Call Your Bank Directly
If none of the methods above work for you, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank’s website. A representative can confirm your routing number over the phone, usually after verifying your identity with a few security questions. You can also walk into a branch and ask a teller.
Why You Might Have More Than One
A single bank can have multiple routing numbers. Large banks often assign different routing numbers based on the state or region where you opened your account. If you’ve moved since opening your account, your routing number is usually tied to where the account was originally opened, not where you live now. When in doubt, use the one printed on your checks or displayed in your online banking profile, since those reflect the specific routing number assigned to your account.
You may also encounter different routing numbers for different types of transactions. The number used for ACH transfers (direct deposits, bill payments, and bank-to-bank transfers) is sometimes different from the one used for wire transfers. If you’re setting up a wire, ask your bank specifically for the wire transfer routing number rather than assuming it matches the one on your checks.
Where You’ll Need Your Routing Number
You’ll be asked for your routing number whenever you set up direct deposit with an employer, link a bank account to a payment app, send or receive a wire transfer, pay bills electronically, or file your tax return for a direct deposit refund. In each case, you’ll typically need both your routing number and your account number. Double-check both before submitting, since a wrong digit can delay a payment or send money to the wrong place.