The bottom of every check has three sets of numbers printed in a row, and they always follow the same order from left to right: the routing number, the account number, and the check number. Knowing which is which matters whenever you set up direct deposit, link a bank account to a payment app, or fill out any form that asks for your banking details.
The Three Numbers at the Bottom
Look at the bottom edge of a personal check and you’ll see a line of numbers printed in a special font. This is the MICR line (magnetic ink character recognition), designed so machines can read it during processing. The numbers break into three groups, separated by small symbols that look like vertical dots or colons.
Routing number (first, far left): This nine-digit number identifies your bank. The first two digits fall between 00 and 12 and correspond to a Federal Reserve district. Every bank or credit union branch has a routing number, and it’s the same for all customers at that branch. You’ll need this number for direct deposit, ACH transfers, and bill payments.
Account number (second, middle): This number identifies your specific checking account at that bank. Account numbers vary in length depending on the institution, typically ranging from eight to twelve digits. This is the number unique to you.
Check number (third, far right): This is simply the sequential number of that particular check in your checkbook. You’ll also see it printed in the upper-right corner of the check itself. It’s useful for tracking payments but isn’t needed for setting up transfers or direct deposit.
The Numbers in the Upper Portion
Besides the check number in the upper-right corner, you may notice a fraction-like set of numbers printed nearby. This is called the fractional routing symbol, a legacy code from when checks were physically sorted and routed through the Federal Reserve system. The top part of the fraction indicates the bank’s geographic region and institution, while the bottom part identifies the Federal Reserve district responsible for clearing the check.
You can safely ignore this number for any modern banking task. It contains the same information already encoded in your nine-digit routing number. Banks keep printing it mostly out of tradition.
Business Checks Look Slightly Different
Business checks follow the same left-to-right order on the MICR line: routing number, then account number, then check number. The difference is mainly visual. Business checks are often larger (meant for a printer rather than a checkbook), and the check number may appear more prominently in the upper-right corner. The routing number is still nine digits, still on the far left, and still flanked by those colon-like symbols.
Routing Number vs. Wire Transfer Number
The routing number printed on your check is technically an ABA routing number, designed for paper check processing. When you set up electronic transfers like direct deposit or automatic bill pay, your bank may use an ACH routing number instead. At many banks, the ABA and ACH routing numbers are identical. At some larger institutions, they’re different.
Wire transfers sometimes require yet another routing number. If you need to send or receive a wire, check with your bank directly rather than relying on the number printed on your checks. Using the wrong routing number can delay a transfer or send it to the wrong place.
Finding Your Numbers Without a Check
If you don’t have a physical checkbook, your routing and account numbers are available through your bank’s website or mobile app. The exact steps vary by bank, but the process is similar everywhere: sign in, select your checking account, and look for an option labeled something like “account details,” “show details,” or “account and routing number.” Some banks also display this information on your monthly statement.
When copying these numbers for a form, double-check each digit. A single wrong number in the routing or account field can send money to the wrong account or cause a payment to bounce. If you’re setting up direct deposit with an employer, many payroll systems let you attach a voided check instead of typing the numbers manually, which eliminates transcription errors.