Your bank's routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it on your bank's website or by calling customer service
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. It tells the other bank where to send money when you receive a transfer, direct deposit, or bill payment. You need it when you set up direct deposit for paychecks, arrange automatic bill payments, or receive money from someone else's bank account.
You have three straightforward ways to find it: look at a check, log into your online banking, or call your bank's customer service line. The number does not change unless you switch banks or move to a different branch type (like moving from a local branch to an online-only account with the same bank).
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left corner of any check you have from that account, printed as the first set of nine digits.
- Your bank's website usually displays your routing number in the online banking portal under account details or a help section.
- You can call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card and ask for your routing number in under a minute.
- The routing number is specific to your bank and branch type, so it stays the same for all accounts you hold at that bank.
Finding your routing number on a check
If you have a checkbook, the easiest method is to look at any check. At the bottom of the check, you will see three sets of numbers separated by vertical lines. The first set of nine digits is your routing number. The second set is your account number. The third set is the check number.
This works for any check from that account, whether it is a personal check, a business check, or a starter check your bank gave you when you opened the account. The routing number printed on the check is the same one you need for direct deposit, wire transfers, and bill payments.
Looking it up on your bank's website
Log into your online banking account and navigate to the account details or settings section. Most banks display the routing number alongside your account number in a place labeled "Account Information," "Bank Details," or "Direct Deposit Information." Some banks put it under a "Help" or "FAQs" section instead.
If you cannot find it on your own, use the search function in your browser (Ctrl+F on Windows, Command+F on Mac) and search for the word "routing." This usually takes you directly to the section where it is listed. If your bank's website does not display it online, move to the phone method.
Calling your bank to ask
Pick up the phone number on the back of your debit card or from your bank's website and call customer service. Tell them you need your routing number for your checking account. They will ask you to verify your identity (usually your account number and last four digits of your Social Security number) and then give you the nine-digit code.
This method takes about five minutes and works even if you do not have checks or online banking access. Customer service lines are usually open during business hours and sometimes 24/7, depending on your bank.
Understanding routing numbers for different account types
If you have multiple accounts at the same bank—a checking account and a savings account, for example—they share the same routing number. The routing number identifies the bank, not the individual account. Your account number is what distinguishes one account from another.
However, if you switch from a traditional branch bank to an online-only division of the same bank (or vice versa), the routing number may change because it is tied to the specific banking entity. For example, if your bank has both a physical branch network and an online-only subsidiary, those two divisions may have different routing numbers. If you are unsure, ask your bank directly.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have lost your checks, do not have online banking set up, and cannot reach customer service, you can search for your routing number using the Federal Reserve's routing number database. Go to the Federal Reserve's website and use their search tool—you will need to know your bank's name and state. This database is public and free to use.
Another option is to visit a branch of your bank in person with your ID and ask a teller for your routing number. They can write it down for you on the spot. This is useful if you need it urgently and cannot wait for a phone call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my account number?
No. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. On a check, the routing number is the first nine digits at the bottom left, and the account number is the second set of digits. You need both for most transfers and direct deposits.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. When you send money to someone else's account, you use their bank's routing number and their account number. You do not need their permission to look up their routing number—it is public information tied to their bank, not to them personally.
Does my routing number change if I move to a different state?
Not if you stay with the same bank. Your routing number is tied to your bank and branch type, not your location. If you move and your bank has branches in your new state, your routing number usually stays the same. If you switch banks, you will get a new routing number.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
After a merger, your routing number may change or stay the same depending on how the banks consolidated their systems. Your bank will notify you if your routing number changes and will give you the new one. Check your bank's website or call customer service to confirm which routing number to use after a merger.
Can I give my routing number to anyone?
Yes. Your routing number is public information—it is printed on every check you write and is listed in public databases. Giving someone your routing number alone does not put your account at risk. However, do not give out your full account number or routing number together to anyone you do not trust, as that combination can be used to set up unauthorized transfers.