Writing a check means filling in six fields: the date, the payee name, the payment amount in numbers, the payment amount in words, your signature, and an optional memo. Once you know where each field sits on the check and how to fill it in correctly, the whole process takes about 30 seconds.
The Six Fields on Every Check
Personal checks follow a standard layout regardless of your bank. Here’s what goes where, starting from the top of the check and working down.
Date: Located in the top-right corner. Write the current date in month/day/year format. Using today’s date is the standard practice. Postdating a check (writing a future date) doesn’t guarantee a bank will wait to process it, so only do this if you’ve arranged it with the recipient.
Payee name: The centered line that begins with “Pay to the order of.” Write the full name of the person, business, or organization you’re paying. For a company, use its official name as it appears on your bill or invoice. If you’re unsure, ask the recipient how they’d like the name written, since a mismatch can cause problems when they try to deposit it.
Dollar amount in numbers: A small box to the right of the payee line. Write the exact amount using numerals, including cents after a decimal point. For example: 1,250.00. Start writing as close to the dollar sign as possible so no one can squeeze in an extra digit.
Dollar amount in words: The long line below the payee line. This is where you spell out the same amount. Write cents as a fraction over 100. So $236.79 becomes “Two hundred thirty-six and 79/100.” For a round dollar amount like $5,250, write “Five thousand two hundred fifty and 00/100.” After you finish writing, draw a horizontal line from the end of your words to the right edge of the field. This fills the empty space and prevents anyone from adding extra words to inflate the amount.
Signature: The line in the bottom-right corner. Sign using the same signature your bank has on file. A check without a signature is invalid and won’t be processed.
Memo: The line in the bottom-left corner. This is optional. Use it to note what the payment is for, like “March rent” or an account number. The memo doesn’t affect how the check is processed, but it helps both you and the recipient keep records straight.
How to Write the Dollar Amount in Words
The written amount is the one that legally controls if there’s a conflict with the number in the box, so accuracy matters here. A few rules keep it clean:
- Use “and” only for the cents. Write “One thousand two hundred fifty and 49/100,” not “One thousand and two hundred and fifty.”
- Always include the cents fraction. Even if the amount is a whole number, write “and 00/100” to prevent tampering.
- Start at the far left of the line. Begin writing right where the line starts, and draw a line through any remaining blank space after the fraction.
- Match the box exactly. If you wrote $842.50 in the numeral box, the words must say “Eight hundred forty-two and 50/100.” Any mismatch can delay or block the payment.
What to Do If You Make a Mistake
Crossing out a word and writing a correction on a check can make it look altered, which gives banks a reason to reject it. The safest move is to void the check entirely and start fresh. Write the word “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check using a blue or black permanent pen. You can write it once in big letters spanning the whole check, or write it across each of the key fields: the date, payee, amount, and signature lines. Don’t write over the routing number or account number printed along the bottom edge, since you may still need those digits for setting up direct deposits or automatic payments.
After voiding the check, note it in your register so you aren’t confused by the gap in check numbers later. Then tear out the next check and start over.
Recording the Check in Your Register
The check register is the small booklet that comes with your checkbook. Filling it in every time you write a check keeps you from overdrawing your account, especially since checks can take days to clear.
Each entry needs five pieces of information: the check number (printed in the top-right corner of the check), the date, a brief description of the payment (like “Electric bill” or “Landlord”), the dollar amount, and your new running balance. Subtract the check amount from your previous balance and write the result in the balance column. When you deposit money, add it to the balance instead.
If you prefer tracking digitally, your bank’s app or a simple spreadsheet works the same way. The key habit is recording the transaction right when you write the check, not later, because it’s easy to forget and accidentally spend money that’s already committed.
Mailing or Delivering a Check Safely
If you’re mailing a check, fold it inside a piece of paper or tuck it in the payment envelope so the amount and account details aren’t visible through the envelope window (unless the window is designed to show only the address). Avoid writing “check enclosed” on the outside of the envelope, since that invites theft.
If you’re handing a check to someone in person, there’s no special precaution beyond making sure the ink is dry. Blue or black ballpoint pen is the standard choice because it’s harder to erase or alter than gel ink or pencil.
Numbers Already Printed on Your Check
Along the bottom of every check, you’ll see a string of numbers you don’t need to fill in. The first group is your bank’s routing number, which identifies the bank itself. The second group is your account number. The third, shorter group is the check number. These are preprinted and used by banks to process the payment electronically. Don’t write over them, and don’t share photos of your checks casually, since those numbers are essentially the keys to your checking account.