Where to find your routing number on a check
The easiest place to look is a check from your account. Open your checkbook and look at the bottom left corner of any check. You will see three sets of numbers separated by vertical lines or symbols. The first set — usually nine digits — is your routing number. The second set is your account number. The third is the check number itself.
If you do not have checks handy or prefer not to write one, this method takes less than a minute and requires nothing but a pen and paper to write down the nine-digit code.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears at the bottom left of any check you have from your account, as the first set of nine digits.
- Your bank's website or mobile app will display your routing number in the account details or settings section without requiring you to log in.
- You can call your bank's customer service line and provide your account number to receive your routing number by phone.
- The routing number is specific to your bank and branch, so all accounts at the same bank location share the same routing number.
- Wire transfers, direct deposit setup, and ACH payments all require your routing number, so keep it in a safe place once you find it.
Look it up on your bank's website
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and navigate to your account details or settings. Most banks display the routing number alongside your account number in a section labeled "Account Information," "Bank Details," or "Routing and Account Numbers." The exact location varies by bank, but it is usually one or two clicks from your main account view.
If you cannot find it online, your bank's website typically has a search function or a "Contact Us" page that lists routing numbers by branch location. Some banks also publish a complete routing number directory on their website that you can search by state or city.
Call your bank and ask
Phone your bank's customer service number — usually on the back of your debit card or on your monthly statement — and tell the representative you need your routing number. Have your account number ready. They will provide it immediately and may also confirm which branch the number belongs to.
This method works even if you are not logged into online banking or do not have checks. The call typically takes less than five minutes.
Use the Federal Reserve's routing number database
The Federal Reserve maintains a public database of routing numbers searchable by bank name and state. Visit the Federal Reserve's website and use their routing number search tool. Enter your bank's name and the state where your branch is located, and the database will return the routing number for that location.
This method works if you know your bank's name and branch location but have lost your checks and cannot access online banking. The search is free and requires no login.
What your routing number tells you
Your routing number is tied to your specific bank and branch, not to you personally. This means every account holder at the same bank branch shares the same routing number. If you have multiple accounts at the same branch — a checking account and a savings account, for example — they use the same routing number but have different account numbers.
If you move your account to a different branch of the same bank, your routing number may change. If you switch banks entirely, you will definitely have a new routing number. This is why it is important to confirm the routing number each time you set up a wire transfer or direct deposit, rather than relying on a number from years ago.
When you need your routing number
You will need your routing number when you set up direct deposit for paychecks or government payments like tax refunds or Social Security. You also need it to arrange wire transfers, set up automatic bill payments through your bank, or receive ACH transfers from employers or other organizations.
Some services ask for both your routing number and account number together. Others ask for them separately. Either way, having both numbers on hand speeds up the process. Write them down and store them somewhere safe — not in your wallet, but in a secure place at home or in a password manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank's main routing number?
Not always. Large banks often have different routing numbers for different branches or regions. Your routing number is specific to your branch location. If you move to a different branch, confirm the new routing number before setting up transfers or direct deposit.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. If you are sending money to someone at your bank, you need their account number and the routing number for their branch. The routing number is not secret — it is printed on every check and is public information. You need both numbers together to complete a transfer.
What if I cannot find my routing number anywhere?
Call your bank directly. They can confirm your routing number in seconds using your account number. You can also visit a branch in person with your ID and ask a teller to write it down for you.
Do I need a new routing number if I change my account type?
No. If you convert a checking account to a savings account or vice versa at the same branch, your routing number stays the same. Only the account number changes if the bank assigns you a new account.