Your routing number, account number, and check number are printed along the bottom of every personal check, from left to right in that order. They’re printed in a special magnetic ink that banks use to process checks automatically, and each set of digits serves a different purpose.
The Three Numbers on the Bottom of a Check
Flip your check over so you’re looking at the front, then look at the bottom edge. You’ll see three groups of numbers printed in a distinctive, slightly blocky font. Reading from left to right:
- Routing number (first, 9 digits): This identifies your bank. Every bank or credit union has at least one routing number, and larger banks may have several based on the region where you opened your account. It always starts with a 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Account number (second, typically 8 to 17 digits): This identifies your specific checking account at that bank. The length varies by institution.
- Check number (third, usually 3 to 4 digits): This matches the check number printed in the upper-right corner of the check. It’s there for your own record-keeping and doesn’t affect payment processing.
Some checks use small symbols that look like vertical lines or colons to separate the three groups. These are part of the magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line and help bank equipment read the numbers accurately. You can ignore them when copying down your routing or account number.
How to Tell Them Apart
If you’re unsure which group is which, the routing number is always exactly nine digits. No exceptions. If you count nine digits in the first group on the left, that’s your routing number. The account number comes next and is longer or shorter depending on your bank, but it’s never exactly nine digits. The check number is the shortest group, sitting farthest to the right, and it matches the number in the top corner of the check.
On business checks or checks from certain credit unions, the order occasionally differs. The account number may appear first, followed by the routing number. When in doubt, look for the nine-digit group. You can also verify a routing number by searching it on the Federal Reserve’s online lookup tool.
When You Need These Numbers
You’ll typically need your routing and account numbers when setting up direct deposit with an employer, linking a bank account to a payment app, making an ACH transfer, or scheduling automatic bill payments. The routing number tells the system which bank to send money to, and the account number tells it which account at that bank is yours. You won’t need the check number for any of these tasks.
Finding Your Numbers Without a Check
If you don’t have a physical check handy, most banks display your routing and account numbers in their online banking portal or mobile app. Look for an “account details” section after logging in, or search for “routing number” within the app. Some banks also let you download a prefilled direct deposit form that includes both numbers.
You can also call your bank’s customer service line and verify your identity to get both numbers over the phone. A bank statement, however, typically shows only your account number, not the routing number, so the app or website is usually the faster option.