Every checking account has a routing number
Yes. Every checking account issued by a bank or credit union in the United States has a routing number, also called an ABA routing transit number. It is a nine-digit code that identifies which financial institution holds your account. You need it to set up direct deposits, arrange wire transfers, pay bills through your bank's bill pay system, and authorize automatic payments.
The routing number is not the same as your account number. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. The routing number identifies the bank itself. Together, they tell any other bank or employer exactly where to send money.
If you have a checking account, you have a routing number. It does not matter whether your account is new or decades old, whether you use it frequently or rarely, or whether you opened it online or in a branch. The routing number was assigned when the account was created.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is a nine-digit code printed on the bottom left of your checks and available through your bank's website or customer service line.
- The routing number identifies your bank, not your individual account — your account number is separate and appears next to the routing number on your checks.
- You need your routing number and account number together to set up direct deposit, authorize automatic bill payments, or receive wire transfers.
- If you cannot find your routing number on a check or online, calling your bank's customer service is the fastest way to get it.
Where to find your routing number on a check
The easiest place to locate your routing number is on a blank check from your checking account. Look at the bottom left corner of the check. You will see three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines or symbols. The first group of nine digits is your routing number.
The second group of numbers (usually longer, often 10 to 12 digits) is your account number. The third group is the check number. The routing number always comes first on the left side of the bottom of the check.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to write one, you do not need to order new checks just to find this number. Your bank can tell you in seconds.
Finding your routing number online or by phone
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a section labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Routing Number." Most banks display both your routing number and account number in one place. Some banks put this information under a "Wire Transfer" or "Direct Deposit" section because those are the most common reasons someone needs it.
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Tell them you need your routing number. They will give it to you over the phone and may also email or text it to you. This takes less than a minute.
Credit unions use the same system. If you have a checking account at a credit union, you can find the routing number the same way — on a check, through your online account, or by calling the credit union's member service line.
Why your bank has only one routing number
Your bank has one routing number, not one per account. If you have multiple checking accounts at the same bank, they all share the same routing number. The routing number tells the sending bank which institution to send money to; your account number tells that institution which of your accounts to deposit it into.
This matters when you are setting up direct deposit or automatic payments. You will enter your routing number and your account number as a pair. The routing number directs the money to your bank; the account number directs it to your specific account within that bank.
What to do if your bank merged or changed names
If your bank was acquired by another bank or merged with another institution, your routing number may have changed. This happens because the new parent company may assign a different routing number to accounts transferred from the old bank.
Check your most recent check or statement. If you set up direct deposit or automatic payments before the merger, contact your bank to confirm whether your routing number changed. If it did, you will need to update any direct deposits or automatic payments with the new number. Your bank can tell you whether the change affects your existing arrangements and walk you through updating them.
Routing numbers for different types of transfers
In rare cases, a large bank may have more than one routing number — one for ACH transfers (like direct deposit and bill pay), one for wire transfers, and one for checks. This is uncommon, but it happens at some of the largest national banks.
If you are setting up a wire transfer and your bank tells you to use a different routing number than the one on your checks, write it down and use the one they specify. For most people and most transactions, the routing number on your check is the correct one. When in doubt, ask your bank which routing number to use for the specific transaction you are making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my account number?
No. Your routing number is nine digits and identifies your bank. Your account number is longer (usually 10 to 12 digits) and identifies your specific account. You need both together to receive direct deposit or set up automatic payments.
Can I find my routing number without a check?
Yes. Log into your bank's website or app and look for "Account Details" or "Routing Number." You can also call your bank's customer service line — they will give you the number immediately over the phone.
Do I need a different routing number for each account I have?
No. If you have multiple checking accounts at the same bank, they all use the same routing number. The routing number identifies the bank; your account number identifies which account within that bank receives the money.
What if I use a different bank for savings?
Each bank has its own routing number. Your checking account at Bank A and your savings account at Bank B have different routing numbers because they are at different institutions. You will need the routing number for whichever bank you are sending money to or receiving money from.
Can my routing number change?
It can if your bank merges with or is acquired by another bank. Check your most recent statement or check to confirm your current routing number. If you have automatic payments or direct deposit set up, contact your bank to confirm whether the number changed and whether you need to update anything.