The routing number and account number on a check are the two sets of digits printed along the bottom edge. Together, they tell any bank exactly where to send or pull money: the routing number identifies the bank, and the account number identifies your specific account at that bank. You’ll find them on every personal check, and you’ll need them for direct deposit, wire transfers, online bill pay, and many other transactions.
Where to Find Them on a Check
Flip a check over to the front side and look at the bottom. You’ll see a line of numbers printed in a special magnetic ink that bank processing machines can read. Reading left to right, the sequence is:
- Routing number: The first nine digits, sometimes framed by a small vertical-line-and-colon symbol on each side.
- Account number: The next group of digits, typically 8 to 12 digits long.
- Check number: A shorter number (usually four digits) that matches the check number printed in the upper-right corner of the check.
Some banks swap the order of the account number and check number, so if you see a short number followed by a longer one, the shorter group is likely the check number. The routing number is always the first nine digits on the left.
What the Routing Number Does
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank or credit union. Think of it as the bank’s address. It was created by the American Bankers Association and is sometimes called an ABA routing number or routing transit number. There are roughly 22,000 active routing numbers in use across the country, and only federally or state-chartered financial institutions eligible for a Federal Reserve master account can receive one.
Every customer at the same bank branch shares the same routing number. It’s considered public information, and banks publish it openly on their websites. If you bank at a large national institution, though, you may have a different routing number than someone who opened an account at the same bank in a different region. That’s because routing numbers can be tied to the Federal Reserve processing district where the account was originally set up, and mergers between banks over the years have added even more numbers to the mix.
What the Account Number Does
Your account number is the code that identifies your individual account within the bank. If the routing number is the bank’s street address, the account number is your apartment number. Account numbers typically range from 8 to 12 digits, though the exact length depends on the bank. This number is unique to you and should be treated as private information. Anyone who has both your routing and account numbers can potentially initiate transactions against your account, so share them only when setting up legitimate payments or deposits.
If you hold multiple accounts at the same bank (a checking account and a savings account, for example), each one has its own account number while sharing the same routing number.
Why One Bank Can Have Multiple Routing Numbers
You may discover that the routing number printed on your checks doesn’t match the one your bank tells you to use for a wire transfer. That’s normal. Banks often maintain separate routing numbers for different transaction types because each type travels through a different Federal Reserve network. Paper checks go through the check-clearing system. Direct deposits and online bill payments go through the ACH (Automated Clearing House) network. Domestic wire transfers go through Fedwire.
When you’re setting up a transaction, make sure you’re using the right routing number for what you need. Your bank’s website or app will usually list separate numbers for ACH transfers, wire transfers, and checks. Using the wrong one can delay or reject a payment.
How to Find These Numbers Without a Check
If you don’t have a checkbook handy, there are several other ways to look up your routing and account numbers.
- Online banking: Sign in to your bank’s website, click on your account name, and look for an option labeled something like “Account details” or “Account & routing number.” Most banks display both numbers on the account summary page.
- Mobile app: Open your bank’s app, tap on the account you need, and look for a “Show details” or similar link. The routing and account numbers are usually hidden behind one extra tap for security.
- Bank statements: Your monthly or quarterly statement, whether paper or digital, often includes your full account number. Some statements also list the routing number, though not all do.
- Bank’s website (routing number only): Because routing numbers are public, most banks list them on a dedicated page you can find without even logging in. A quick search for your bank’s name plus “routing number” will usually get you there.
- Call your bank: A customer service representative can confirm both numbers after verifying your identity.
When You’ll Need These Numbers
Setting up direct deposit is the most common reason people go hunting for their routing and account numbers. Your employer’s payroll form will ask for both so your paycheck lands in the right account. You’ll also need them for online bill payments, linking external bank accounts for transfers, setting up automatic loan payments, sending or receiving wire transfers, and filing your tax return if you want a refund deposited directly.
For tax refunds, the IRS asks for a routing number and account number on your return. Entering the wrong digits can send your refund to someone else’s account or cause it to bounce back, which delays things by weeks. Double-check both numbers before submitting.
Keep in mind that the check number (the short number at the far right of the bottom line) is not the same as your account number. It simply tracks which check you used from your checkbook. If a form asks for your “account number,” never enter the check number by mistake.