Your bank's routing number is the same for both accounts
Yes. Your bank's routing number is identical whether you use it for a savings account or a checking account. The routing number identifies the bank itself — not the type of account you hold there. When you set up a transfer, pay a bill, or receive a direct deposit, the routing number tells the financial system which bank to send the money to. Your account number is what distinguishes your savings account from your checking account once the money arrives at that bank.
This matters when you're setting up direct deposit for a refund, a tax payment, or a transfer between your own accounts. You'll need both pieces of information — the routing number (same for both) and the specific account number (different for each account). If you give the wrong account number but the correct routing number, the money will reach your bank but go into the wrong account.
Some banks print both numbers on the bottom of your checks, but checks only work with checking accounts. For a savings account transfer or direct deposit, you'll need to find the account number in your online banking portal, on your account statement, or by calling the bank directly.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number identifies your bank and is the same for all account types you hold there.
- Your account number is what distinguishes your savings account from your checking account at that same bank.
- When setting up a direct deposit or transfer to a savings account, use the bank's routing number plus your savings account number.
- Checks printed by your bank show the routing number and checking account number, but you cannot use a check to deposit into savings.
How routing and account numbers work together
Think of the routing number as the address of the bank building and the account number as your mailbox inside that building. The routing number gets the money to the right bank. The account number gets it to the right mailbox — your specific account — once it arrives.
When you receive a tax refund by direct deposit, the IRS uses both numbers. It sends the money to the bank identified by the routing number, then deposits it into the account identified by your account number. If you provide the correct routing number but the wrong account number, the bank will deposit the refund into someone else's account at that same bank — a serious problem that can take weeks to fix.
Different banks sometimes share routing numbers if they are part of the same larger institution or if one bank acquired another. But within a single bank, the routing number never changes based on account type. A Wells Fargo customer in California has the same routing number for savings and checking. A Chase customer in New York has the same routing number for savings and checking.
Where to find your routing number and account number
The easiest place to find both numbers is your online banking portal. Log in, go to your account details or settings, and look for a section labeled "Account Information" or "Routing and Account Numbers." Most banks display both clearly.
If you have checks for your checking account, the routing number appears in the lower left corner (a nine-digit number) and your checking account number appears in the lower center. Do not assume these are the same as your savings account number — they are not. The routing number is the same, but the account number is specific to that checking account.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and the account number for whichever account you need. Have your account holder name and Social Security number ready. Some banks also print this information on account statements, though older statements may not include the routing number.
Setting up direct deposit to a savings account
When you set up direct deposit for a tax refund, stimulus payment, or paycheck to go into your savings account, you will need to provide your employer, the IRS, or the payment processor with two pieces of information: the routing number and your savings account number.
The form will usually have two fields: one for routing number and one for account number. Enter the routing number (same as your checking account) and your savings account number (different from your checking account). Double-check both before submitting. A mistake in the account number is the most common error and can delay your refund by several weeks while the bank tries to locate the deposit.
Some employers or payment systems ask you to specify the account type — checking or savings. If that option appears, select savings. This helps the system route the money correctly even if you accidentally enter a wrong digit in the account number.
Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank
If you want to move money from your checking account to your savings account at the same bank, you do not need the routing number at all. Internal transfers between your own accounts use only the account numbers. You can do this through online banking, a mobile app, or by calling the bank.
The routing number only matters when money is coming from outside the bank — from an employer, the government, another bank, or a third-party payment service. For internal moves between accounts you own at the same institution, the bank's system already knows both accounts belong to you and routes the money directly.
What happens if you use the wrong account number
If you provide the correct routing number but the wrong account number, the money will reach your bank but deposit into the wrong account. This is a serious problem because the money now belongs to someone else's account, and recovering it requires the bank to contact that account holder and ask them to return the funds.
If this happens with a tax refund or government payment, contact your bank immediately and explain the error. Provide the date the deposit arrived, the amount, and the account number where it went. The bank can file a claim to recover the funds, but this process can take 30 to 90 days. In the meantime, you may need to contact the IRS or the government agency that sent the payment to explain the situation.
To avoid this, always verify your account number before submitting any direct deposit form. Read it aloud to yourself or have someone else read it back to you. A single digit wrong can send your refund to the wrong place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my checking account routing number for my savings account?
Yes. The routing number is the same for all accounts at your bank, regardless of type. You would use your bank's routing number plus your savings account number to set up a direct deposit or transfer to savings.
Why do checks show a different account number than my savings account?
Checks are issued for checking accounts only, so they print the checking account number. Your savings account has a separate account number. The routing number on the check is the same for both accounts, but the account numbers are different.
What if I accidentally give my checking account number instead of my savings account number?
The money will deposit into your checking account instead of your savings account. Contact your bank and ask them to transfer the funds to the correct account, or move the money yourself through online banking once you notice the error.
Do I need the routing number to transfer money between my own accounts at the same bank?
No. Internal transfers between your own accounts use only account numbers. The routing number is only needed when money comes from outside the bank or goes to a different bank.
Can two different banks have the same routing number?
Rarely, but yes. Large institutions that acquired smaller banks sometimes keep multiple routing numbers active, or banks that merged may share a routing number. Within a single bank, however, the routing number is always the same regardless of account type.