The fastest way to find your routing number
Your bank's routing number is printed on the bottom left of every check you have. If you have a checkbook, open it and look at the first check — the nine-digit number on the far left, before your account number, is your routing number. This is the same for every account you hold at that bank.
If you don't have checks or can't find them, call your bank's customer service line (the number is on your debit card or bank statement) and give them your account number. They will read you the routing number over the phone in under a minute. You can also log into your online banking account — most banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section.
The Federal Reserve maintains a searchable database of all U.S. bank routing numbers at frbservices.org. Enter your bank's name and state, and the database returns the routing number. This works even if you've closed the account or lost your checks.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is the nine-digit code on the bottom left of your checks, before your account number.
- Call your bank's customer service line with your account number and they will give you the routing number immediately.
- Log into your online banking account — most banks show the routing number in account details or settings.
- The Federal Reserve's routing number database at frbservices.org works if you have no checks and can't reach your bank by phone.
- Every account at the same bank shares the same routing number, even if you have multiple accounts.
Finding the routing number in your online banking account
Most banks display your routing number somewhere in the account information or settings area of their website or mobile app. The exact location varies by bank. Look for a section labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," "Routing Number," or "Wire Transfer Information."
If you can't find it in the obvious places, use your browser's search function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Cmd+F on Mac) and search for "routing" on the page. Some banks hide it under a "Wire Instructions" or "Direct Deposit Setup" tab because those are the most common reasons people need it.
If your bank's website doesn't show it, contact customer service through the secure message system in your online account. This creates a record of your request and usually gets a response within one business day.
Using the Federal Reserve routing number database
The Federal Reserve's database at frbservices.org/routing is the official source for all active U.S. bank routing numbers. It is free and requires no login. Enter your bank's name and the state where your branch is located, then click search.
The database returns the routing number and the bank's full legal name. If your bank has multiple routing numbers (which happens with large banks that have merged or operate multiple processing centers), the database shows all of them. If you're unsure which one to use, call your bank and tell them which routing number the database returned — they'll confirm whether it's the right one for your account type.
This method works even if you've closed your account, switched banks, or never had checks. It also works if your bank's customer service line is busy or closed.
What to do if you can't find your routing number
If the Federal Reserve database doesn't return a result, the bank name may be spelled differently than you entered it. Try searching for the parent company name instead — for example, if you bank with a credit union, search for the full legal name of the credit union, not a nickname.
If the database still returns nothing, call your bank directly. Have your account number ready. Customer service can confirm your routing number and tell you whether your bank uses more than one (which is common for large institutions). They can also tell you if your bank has recently merged or changed names, which would explain why the database search didn't work.
For credit unions, the routing number is sometimes called the "transit number." The Federal Reserve database includes credit unions, so the same search method works. If it doesn't, contact your credit union's main office directly — they maintain a list of all branches and their routing numbers.
Routing numbers for wire transfers and direct deposit
The routing number you use for wire transfers is the same as the one for direct deposit and ACH transfers — there is only one routing number per bank. However, some large banks operate multiple processing centers and assign different routing numbers to different regions or account types. This is rare, but it happens.
If you're setting up a wire transfer or direct deposit and you're not sure which routing number to use, ask the person or organization requesting it. They often have a list of routing numbers for different banks and can tell you which one applies to your situation. Your bank's customer service can also confirm whether your account uses the standard routing number or a different one.
Write down your routing number and account number together and keep them in a safe place. You'll need them for direct deposit setup, wire transfers, and other banking tasks. Many people store this information in a password manager or a secure note on their phone.
Routing numbers for different account types at the same bank
Most banks use the same routing number for checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. The routing number identifies the bank, not the account type. Your account number is what distinguishes one account from another.
However, some large banks (particularly those formed through mergers) maintain separate routing numbers for different regions or legacy banking systems. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank and you're setting up a transfer between them, use the same routing number for both. If the transfer fails, call customer service and ask whether your accounts use different routing numbers.
Credit unions sometimes assign different routing numbers to different branches, though this is becoming less common. If you're moving money between branches of the same credit union, confirm with the credit union whether you need different routing numbers or if one routing number works for all branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank's SWIFT code?
No. Your routing number is used for domestic transfers within the United States. A SWIFT code is used for international wire transfers and is different from your routing number. If you're sending money to another country, ask your bank for the SWIFT code, not the routing number.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. The routing number identifies the bank, not the individual account holder. You need the routing number plus the recipient's account number to send them money via wire transfer or ACH. The routing number alone tells the system which bank to send the money to; the account number tells the bank which person to credit.
What if my bank's routing number changed?
Bank mergers and system updates sometimes result in routing number changes. If you set up direct deposit or automatic payments with an old routing number, contact your employer or the organization collecting the payment and give them the new routing number. Your bank can tell you if your routing number has changed and what the new one is.
Do I need a different routing number for each branch?
No. All branches of the same bank share the same routing number. The routing number identifies the bank's processing center, not the physical branch location. You only need one routing number per bank, regardless of how many branches you visit.
Can I find my routing number on my debit card?
No. Your debit card shows your card number and expiration date, but not your routing number. Your routing number appears on checks, in your online banking account, or through your bank's customer service line.