Your account number is the second set of numbers printed along the bottom of a personal check, sitting in the middle between the routing number on the left and the check number on the right. It typically contains 8 to 12 digits, though some banks use account numbers as long as 17 digits.
The Three Numbers on the Bottom of a Check
Every check has three groups of numbers printed in a special magnetic ink along the bottom edge. Reading from left to right, here is what each one represents:
- Routing number (first, far left): Always exactly 9 digits. This identifies your bank, not you personally. Every customer at the same bank branch shares the same routing number.
- Account number (second, middle): Usually 8 to 12 digits, this is the number tied to your specific checking account. It tells the bank which customer’s account the money should come from.
- Check number (third, far right): A shorter number, usually 3 or 4 digits, that matches the check number printed in the top-right corner of the check.
On some checks, the account number and check number are swapped, with the check number appearing second and the account number third. If you are unsure which is which, compare the shorter number to the one printed in the top-right corner of the check. Whichever matches is the check number, and the other is your account number.
How to Tell the Numbers Apart
The numbers along the bottom of a check are printed using a technology called MICR (magnetic ink character recognition). Small symbols separate the three groups of digits, and these symbols act as visual dividers. The routing number is bookended by a pair of symbols that look like vertical lines with dots. The account number is followed by a different symbol. You do not need to memorize these symbols, but knowing they exist helps if you are staring at the bottom of a check and struggling to figure out where one number ends and the next begins.
The most reliable shortcut: count the digits. The routing number is always 9 digits. The account number is the longest remaining group, typically 8 to 12 digits. The check number is the shortest, usually matching what is printed elsewhere on the check.
Business Checks Look Different but Work the Same Way
Business checks are often larger than personal checks and may include a company logo, multiple signature lines, watermarks, and microprinting for added security. Despite these extra features, the bottom of a business check follows the same layout: routing number, account number, and check number, printed left to right in the same magnetic ink. The account number is still the middle group of digits in most cases.
Finding Your Account Number Without a Check
If you do not have a check handy, there are several other places to find your account number.
Bank statements. Whether you receive paper statements or download them electronically, your account number is typically printed near the top of the first page, often in the right-hand column next to a label like “Account” or “Account No.”
Online banking. Log into your bank’s website, select your checking account, and look for an option labeled something like “Account details” or “Account numbers.” Most banks display the full account number on this screen.
Mobile banking app. Open your bank’s app, tap on your checking account, and look for a summary or details tab. Banks usually mask part of the account number for security, but there is typically a “show” or “reveal” link that displays the full number.
Direct deposit form. If you have previously set up direct deposit through your employer, the form you filled out contains both your routing number and account number. Your employer’s payroll or HR department may have a copy on file.
When you need your account number for tasks like setting up direct deposit, linking an external bank account, or making a wire transfer, double-check that you are copying the account number and not the routing number. Swapping the two is one of the most common errors, and it can delay transactions by days.