The routing number is the first set of numbers on the bottom left of a personal check. It is always nine digits long and identifies the bank where your account is held. Right next to it, moving to the right, you’ll find your account number and then the check number.
How to Spot the Routing Number
Look at the bottom of your check and you’ll see a line of numbers printed in a special font. Reading left to right, they appear in this order:
- Routing number (9 digits): The first group on the far left. It may be framed by small symbols that look like vertical lines or colons. These symbols separate the routing number from the rest of the line.
- Account number (up to 12 digits): The second group, right after the routing number. This identifies your specific account at the bank.
- Check number (typically 4 digits): The last group on the right. It matches the check number printed in the upper corner of the check.
The entire line is printed with magnetic ink so that banks can process checks automatically. You don’t need to worry about the ink or the small framing symbols. Just focus on the three groups of numbers, and the routing number is always the leftmost one.
What the Routing Number Is Used For
A routing number identifies your bank and the specific branch or region where your account was opened. You’ll need it for direct deposit setup, wire transfers, automatic bill payments, tax refund deposits, and linking external accounts. Every bank has at least one routing number, and larger banks may have several depending on the state or the type of transaction. There are roughly 22,000 active routing numbers in the United States, all maintained by the American Bankers Association.
Your routing number is not private in the way a PIN or password is. It’s printed on every check you write, and it simply tells the banking system where to send or pull funds. Your account number, on the other hand, is more sensitive because it points directly to your money.
Finding Your Routing Number Without a Check
If you don’t have a checkbook handy, there are several other ways to find your routing number:
- Online banking or mobile app: Log into your account and look under account details or settings. Most banks display the routing number alongside your account number.
- Bank’s website: Many banks list their routing numbers on a public help page. Search for “routing number” on the bank’s site.
- ABA online lookup tool: The American Bankers Association offers a free search tool, though it limits you to two lookups per day and ten per month.
- Bank statement: Some monthly statements include the routing number near your account information, though not all banks do this.
- Call your bank: Customer service can confirm the correct routing number for your account type and location.
Double-checking matters here. If your bank uses different routing numbers for different states or transaction types (paper checks vs. wire transfers, for example), using the wrong one can delay a payment or direct deposit by several days. When setting up a wire transfer, ask your bank specifically for the wire routing number, since it may differ from the one printed on your checks.