Where the routing number and account number sit on your check
The routing number and account number appear at the bottom of every check, printed in magnetic ink. They are the two pieces of information you need to set up direct deposit, receive wire transfers, or give someone permission to pull money from your account.
Look at the bottom left corner of your check. You will see a series of nine digits separated by a colon or small box. That is your routing number. Immediately to the right of it, you will see a longer string of digits — usually between 10 and 12 numbers. That is your account number. The routing number always comes first, on the left side.
At the far right of that same line, you will see your check number — the number printed in the upper right corner of the check itself. The order from left to right is always: routing number, account number, check number.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number is the nine-digit code on the far left of the bottom line; it identifies your bank or credit union.
- The account number is the longer string of digits immediately to the right of the routing number; it identifies your specific account.
- Both numbers are printed in magnetic ink at the bottom of the check and are the same on every check from your account.
- You need both numbers together to set up direct deposit, receive tax refunds, or authorize electronic transfers.
- If your check is damaged or the numbers are unclear, contact your bank directly rather than guessing.
What each number means
Your routing number is a code that tells the banking system which bank or credit union holds your account. It is specific to your financial institution and the branch or processing center that handles your account. Every check from the same bank will have the same routing number, even if you have multiple accounts at that bank.
Your account number is unique to you. It identifies your specific checking account within that bank. If you have a savings account at the same bank, it will have a different account number. The account number is what distinguishes your money from every other customer's money at that same bank.
Together, the routing number and account number form a complete address for your account — the routing number says which bank, and the account number says which account at that bank. This is why both are required for direct deposit, wire transfers, and other electronic transactions.
How to read the numbers if they are hard to see
The magnetic ink used to print routing and account numbers can fade or become smudged over time, especially if the check has been handled a lot or exposed to moisture. If you cannot read the numbers clearly, do not try to guess or fill in numbers from another check.
Call your bank's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell them you need your routing number and account number. They will provide both numbers over the phone and can confirm them with you. This takes a few minutes and is the safest way to get the correct information.
You can also log into your online banking account. Most banks display your routing number and account number in the account details or settings section, sometimes labeled "Bank Information" or "Account Details." This is often faster than calling.
Routing numbers versus account numbers for tax refunds and government payments
When you set up direct deposit for a tax refund, stimulus payment, or other government transfer, you will be asked for both your routing number and account number. The government uses the routing number to find your bank, then uses the account number to deposit the money into the correct account once it arrives at that bank.
If you provide only one number or transpose digits in either number, the deposit will fail or go to the wrong account. The IRS and other government agencies have systems that catch some errors before processing, but not all. If you are unsure about either number, verify both with your bank before submitting the form.
Some refund or payment forms ask for the account type as well — checking or savings. Make sure the account number you provide matches the type you select. A routing number from a checking account will not work with a savings account number, and vice versa.
What happens if you give the wrong number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the transfer will usually be rejected by the banking system before it leaves your bank. The money will stay with the sender — the IRS, your employer, or whoever is sending it — and you will be notified that the deposit failed. You will then need to resubmit with the correct routing number.
If you provide an incorrect account number but a correct routing number, the money may be deposited into someone else's account at your bank. This is rare but possible. If this happens, contact your bank immediately. The bank can often recover the funds, but the process takes time and requires documentation from both you and the account holder who received the money by mistake.
If you transpose a single digit in either number, the result is almost always a rejection rather than a misrouted deposit, because the banking system validates both numbers before processing. A failed deposit is inconvenient but safer than a successful one to the wrong place.
Checking your numbers before submitting a form
Before you submit a tax return, direct deposit form, or refund request that includes your routing and account numbers, read both numbers aloud to yourself or to someone else. This catches transposition errors — swapped digits or numbers read in the wrong order.
Then verify the numbers against your check one more time. Look at the check itself, not your memory of what you wrote. If the numbers on your form do not match the numbers on the check, do not submit the form.
If you are filling out a form online and the form has a field to re-enter your account number for confirmation, use it. Typing the number twice and comparing the two entries catches typos that a single entry might miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number the same on all my checks from the same bank?
Yes. Every check from the same bank or credit union will have the same routing number at the bottom left. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, they will all share the same routing number, but each account will have its own account number.
Can I use a deposit slip or bank statement instead of a check to find these numbers?
Your bank statement usually shows your account number but may not show your routing number. A deposit slip (if your bank still provides them) will show both. Your bank's website or customer service can provide both numbers if you do not have a check or deposit slip available.
What if my checks are old or from a closed account?
Do not use routing or account numbers from old checks or closed accounts. Contact your current bank for your current routing and account numbers. Using numbers from a closed account will cause the transfer to fail.
Do I need to worry about someone stealing my money if they see my routing and account number?
Your routing and account number alone cannot be used to withdraw money from your account. Someone would also need your permission or access to your online banking credentials. However, do not share these numbers with people you do not trust, and only provide them to official government forms or your employer's payroll system.
Why are there different routing numbers for the same bank in different states?
Large banks operate multiple processing centers in different regions. Your routing number identifies not just your bank but also the specific processing center that handles your account. This is why two customers at the same bank in different states might have different routing numbers.