Where to find your routing number on paper and online
Your bank's routing number appears in three places you can reach right now: the bottom left corner of any check from your savings account, your bank's website, and by calling your bank's customer service line. The routing number is a nine-digit code specific to the bank branch or processing center that holds your account, not to you personally — so every customer at your bank will have the same routing number.
If you have checks, look at the very bottom left of the check. You will see three groups of numbers separated by colons or vertical lines. The first group of nine digits is your routing number. The second group is your account number. The third is your check number.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to dig them out, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display your routing number in the account details section, sometimes labeled "Bank Information," "Account Details," or "Routing & Transit Number." The exact location varies by bank — Chase puts it under "Account Information," while Bank of America lists it under "Routing Number" in the account summary.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of any check from your savings account, before your account number.
- You can find your routing number by logging into your bank's website or app and looking in the account details section.
- Calling your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card will get you your routing number in under a minute.
- Your routing number belongs to your bank, not to you — all customers at the same bank branch share the same routing number.
- You need your routing number and account number together when setting up direct deposit, wire transfers, or automatic bill payments.
Using your bank's website or app
Log into your online banking account and navigate to the section that shows your account details. This is usually found under a tab labeled "Accounts," "My Accounts," or "Account Summary." Once you are there, look for a link or button that says "Account Details," "Routing Number," "Bank Information," or "Wire Instructions."
Some banks display the routing number prominently on the main account page. Others hide it one click deeper. If you cannot find it after checking the obvious spots, use your browser's search function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Command+F on Mac) and search for the word "routing." This will jump you directly to where it appears on the page.
If your bank's website does not show the routing number online, or if you do not have online access set up yet, move to the phone method below.
Calling your bank directly
The customer service number is printed on the back of your debit card or on your most recent bank statement. Call that number and tell the representative you need your routing number for your savings account. They will give it to you immediately — this is one of the fastest pieces of information a bank can provide, and you do not need to verify anything beyond your name and account number.
If you have lost your debit card and do not have a statement handy, search online for "[Your Bank Name] customer service number." This will pull up the official phone line. Have your account number ready when you call, as the representative may ask for it to pull up your account.
Finding the routing number if you have moved banks
If you recently switched to a new bank and no longer have checks from your old account, you cannot use the check method. Use the website, app, or phone method instead. Your old bank's customer service line will still work — you can call them even after you have closed the account, and they will provide your routing number for that closed account if you need it for record-keeping or to trace a transaction.
If you are trying to find the routing number for a bank you used years ago and no longer remember the name, check your old tax returns, W-2 forms, or any direct deposit paperwork from that employer. These documents often list the bank name and sometimes the routing number. You can also search your email for confirmation messages from that bank.
Routing number versus account number
These are two different numbers and both are necessary for most transactions. Your routing number identifies your bank or the specific branch that processes your account. Your account number identifies your individual account within that bank. Together, they tell the receiving bank exactly where to send or pull money.
When you set up direct deposit at work, you will need to provide both numbers. When you wire money, you will need both. When you set up an automatic bill payment, you will need both. Giving only one number will cause the transaction to fail or be delayed.
Your routing number is the same for everyone at your bank. Your account number is unique to you. If you share a joint account with someone else, you both use the same routing number and the same account number — that single account number represents the joint account, not either person individually.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have tried the website, app, and phone methods and still cannot locate it, ask your bank for the routing number in writing. Some banks will email it to you, and some will mail it. This is slower than a phone call but still straightforward — banks handle this request regularly.
As a last resort, you can search the Federal Reserve's routing number database online. Go to the Federal Reserve's website and use their routing number lookup tool. You will need to know your bank's name and the state where your account is held. This method works but is slower than calling your bank directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for checking and savings accounts?
Yes. Both accounts at the same bank use the same routing number because the routing number identifies the bank, not the account type. Your account number is what distinguishes your savings account from your checking account.
Can I use someone else's routing number if we bank at the same place?
Yes. Since the routing number belongs to the bank, not the person, you and anyone else at your bank share the same routing number. What matters is that you provide your own account number so the money goes to your account, not theirs.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may have changed when the banks merged. Check your most recent statement or log into your online account to see the current routing number. If you are unsure, call your bank — they will confirm which routing number to use for new transactions.
Do I need my routing number to withdraw money from an ATM?
No. You only need your debit card and PIN to use an ATM. Routing numbers are for transactions that move money between banks, like direct deposit, wire transfers, and bill payments — not for ATM withdrawals or in-person transactions at your own bank.