Your savings and checking accounts almost always have the same routing number
The routing number identifies your bank or credit union, not the type of account. Both your checking and savings accounts at the same institution use the same routing number because they are held at the same branch of the same bank. When you set up a direct deposit, wire transfer, or automatic payment, you pair that routing number with your specific account number — and the account number is what tells the bank whether the money goes to checking or savings.
The only exception is if you bank at two different institutions. If you have a checking account at Bank A and a savings account at Bank B, those accounts will have different routing numbers because they belong to different banks. But within one bank, the routing number stays the same.
Key Takeaways
- A routing number identifies your bank or credit union, not whether an account is checking or savings.
- Your checking and savings accounts at the same bank share the same routing number.
- The account number is what distinguishes between your checking and savings accounts when money is transferred.
- Different routing numbers only appear if your checking and savings accounts are at different banks.
- You can find your routing number on the bottom left of your checks, through your bank's website, or by calling customer service.
How routing numbers and account numbers work together
A routing number is a nine-digit code that acts like an address for your bank. It tells the Federal Reserve and other financial institutions where to send money. An account number is a separate identifier — usually 8 to 17 digits — that points to your specific account within that bank.
When you give someone your banking information for a transfer, you provide both numbers. The routing number gets the money to your bank. The account number gets it to your specific account. If you have three accounts at the same bank — a checking account, a savings account, and a money market account — all three use the same routing number but each has its own account number.
Where to find your routing number
Your routing number appears in three places. The easiest is the bottom left corner of any check you have from that account — it is the first set of nine digits. You can also log into your bank's website or mobile app and find it in the account details or settings section, often labeled "Routing Number" or "ABA Number." If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service line and they will provide it in seconds.
If you have moved banks or are setting up a new account, do not assume the routing number is the same as your old bank. Each institution has its own routing number. However, if you open a second account type at your current bank — say, moving from checking to a savings account — the routing number will be identical.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the money may go to the wrong bank entirely. The sending bank will try to deliver it, but if the receiving bank does not recognize the account number with that routing number, the transfer can bounce back. This process usually takes three to five business days, and your money returns to the sender.
If you accidentally use your savings account number with a checking account routing number (or vice versa), the result depends on whether the numbers match an actual account at that bank. If they do not, the transfer fails and reverses. If they happen to match a different account you own, the money goes there instead — which is why it is important to double-check both numbers before confirming a transfer.
Routing numbers for different transfer types
Some banks list different routing numbers for different purposes — one for ACH transfers (automatic payments and direct deposits), one for wire transfers, and one for checks. This is less common now, but it does happen. If your bank shows multiple routing numbers on its website, use the one that matches the type of transfer you are making.
For direct deposit of a paycheck or tax refund, use the ACH routing number. For a wire transfer, use the wire routing number. For checks, the routing number printed on the check is correct. If you are unsure which one to use, ask your bank or the organization requesting the information — they can tell you which routing number they need.
Routing numbers for online banks and credit unions
Online banks and credit unions operate the same way as traditional banks: one routing number per institution, shared across all account types. If you bank with an online-only institution like Ally or Charles Schwab, or if you are a member of a credit union, the routing number still identifies the institution, not the account type. You find it the same way — through the website, by calling, or sometimes through the mobile app.
Credit unions often have multiple routing numbers if they are part of a shared branching network or if they have merged with other credit unions. If you see more than one routing number listed, the main one for your branch is usually the first one shown, but confirm with your credit union which one to use for the transfer you are making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a different routing number for my savings account than my checking account?
No. If both accounts are at the same bank, they share the same routing number. The account number is what distinguishes them. Only if your savings account is at a different bank will it have a different routing number.
What if my bank shows multiple routing numbers on its website?
Different routing numbers are sometimes listed for ACH transfers, wire transfers, and checks. Use the one that matches the type of transfer you are making. If you are unsure, contact your bank and tell them what you are trying to do — they will give you the correct number.
Can I use my checking account routing number for my savings account?
Yes, because they are the same number. The routing number belongs to the bank, not to the account type. Pair it with your savings account number and the money will go to savings.
What happens if I accidentally give someone my savings account number with my checking routing number?
If the account number does not match any account at that bank under that routing number, the transfer fails and the money bounces back in three to five business days. If it happens to match a different account you own, the money goes there instead, so always verify both numbers before confirming.
Where do I find the routing number for an online bank?
Log into your online banking portal and look in account details or settings, usually labeled "Routing Number" or "ABA Number." You can also call customer service. Online banks operate the same way as traditional banks — one routing number per institution.