Your routing number is the nine-digit code printed at the bottom-left corner of any personal check. If you don’t have a check handy, you can also find it through your bank’s website, mobile app, or on a bank statement. The number identifies your specific bank and branch, and you’ll need it for direct deposits, bill payments, and transfers.
Find It on a Check
Look at the bottom of any personal check and you’ll see three sets of numbers. Reading left to right, the first nine digits are your routing number. The middle set is your account number (typically 8 to 12 digits). The shorter number on the right is the check number.
The routing number is always exactly nine digits. If you’re counting and get eight or ten, you’re likely reading into the account number or missing a leading zero. A small vertical line or symbol separates each group, which helps you tell where one ends and the next begins.
Find It Without a Check
If you don’t have checks, there are several other ways to locate your routing number.
- Online banking: Log into your bank’s website, select your checking or savings account, and look for a link labeled something like “Account Details,” “Account Numbers,” or “Account Numbers & More.” The routing number is usually displayed alongside your account number.
- Mobile app: Open your bank’s app, tap on the account you need the number for, and look under account details or a summary tab. Most major banks display the routing number here.
- Bank statement: Your routing number may appear on your monthly paper or electronic statement, often near the top alongside your account number.
- Bank’s website (no login needed): Many banks list their routing numbers on a public page you can find by searching your bank’s name plus “routing number.” This works well if you bank with a smaller institution that only uses one routing number.
- Call your bank: Customer service can confirm your routing number over the phone after verifying your identity.
Why Large Banks Have Multiple Routing Numbers
If you bank with a large national bank, don’t just grab any routing number you find on the bank’s website. These banks often have different routing numbers based on the state or region where your account was originally opened. The routing number tied to your account may not match the state you currently live in if you’ve moved since opening the account. This is why checking your own check, statement, or online banking portal is more reliable than looking up a number on a general list.
ACH and Wire Routing Numbers Can Differ
Banks often use different routing numbers for ACH transactions (like direct deposit and online bill pay) and domestic wire transfers. If someone asks you for a routing number for a wire transfer, don’t assume the number on your check will work. The check number is typically your ACH routing number. For a wire transfer routing number, log into your online banking, check your bank’s website, or call customer service and specifically ask for the wire transfer routing number.
Using the wrong one can delay your transfer or cause it to fail entirely, so it’s worth taking an extra minute to confirm which type of transaction you’re setting up.
How to Verify a Routing Number
The American Bankers Association maintains an official routing number lookup tool through its registrar, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. You can use the ABA’s online lookup at aba.com to confirm that a nine-digit number belongs to the bank you expect. This is useful when you’re setting up a new direct deposit or transfer and want to double-check before submitting.
If the number doesn’t match your bank in the lookup tool, you may be looking at an outdated number from a bank merger, a wire routing number instead of an ACH number, or a number assigned to a different regional branch. Contact your bank directly to get the correct one.