Savings accounts use your bank's routing number, not a separate one
Your savings account does not have its own routing number. All accounts at the same bank — checking, savings, money market — share the same routing number. That routing number belongs to the bank itself, not to any individual account.
When you need to receive a transfer or set up a direct deposit to your savings account, you provide two pieces of information: the bank's routing number and your personal account number. The routing number tells the sending bank where to send the money. The account number tells that bank which account at your bank should receive it. Together, they direct the funds to the right place.
The only exception is if you have accounts at different banks. Each bank has its own routing number, so a savings account at Bank A and a savings account at Bank B would use different routing numbers — but that is because they are at different banks, not because savings accounts work differently from checking accounts.
Key Takeaways
- All accounts at one bank share that bank's single routing number, whether the account is checking, savings, or money market.
- You need both the routing number and your account number to receive transfers or direct deposits to your savings account.
- If you have savings accounts at two different banks, each account uses its own bank's routing number.
- Your bank's routing number is the same whether you are sending money out or receiving money in.
- The routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it on your bank's website or by calling customer service.
Where to find your bank's routing number
If you have checks, look at the bottom left corner. The first set of nine digits is your bank's routing number. The second set of numbers is your account number.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to use them, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section. Some banks label it "ABA routing number" or "transit number."
You can also call your bank's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement — and ask for the routing number. Have your account number ready so they can confirm you are the account holder.
What the routing number actually does
The routing number is a five-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch or a nine-digit code that identifies your bank nationwide. Banks use it to sort and direct electronic transfers, direct deposits, wire transfers, and ACH payments (automated clearing house payments, which are the standard for most electronic money movement).
When your employer sends your paycheck via direct deposit, they use your routing number to find your bank and your account number to find your account within that bank. When you set up a bill payment through your bank's website, the routing number helps your bank send that payment to the right place. When someone sends you money through a peer-to-peer app, the app uses your routing and account numbers to move the funds into your savings account.
The routing number does not change based on what you do with the account. It is the same whether you are depositing money, withdrawing money, or just letting the account sit. It is also the same across all your accounts at that bank.
Routing numbers versus account numbers: what each one does
Think of the routing number as the address of the bank and the account number as the address of your specific account within that bank. You need both to complete a transfer.
The routing number identifies the bank or credit union. It is the same for every customer at that bank. The account number identifies your specific account. It is unique to you and is different from every other account number at that bank. Some account numbers are 8 digits, some are 10, and some are longer — it depends on the bank.
When you give someone your information to send you money, you are giving them the routing number so they know which bank to contact and the account number so that bank knows which account to put the money into. Without the account number, the bank would not know where to send it. Without the routing number, the sender would not know which bank to contact.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the transfer will usually be rejected before it leaves the sending bank. The sender will get an error message and the money will stay in their account. This is the most common outcome and means no money is lost — you just have to provide the correct information and try again.
In rare cases, a transfer with a wrong routing number might reach a different bank. That bank will see that the account number does not match any of their accounts and will return the funds to the sender. This process can take several business days, and the sender may see a temporary debit from their account before the money comes back.
If you are setting up a recurring transfer — like a regular deposit to your savings account — double-check the routing number before you confirm. It is much easier to fix it on the first try than to chase down a misdirected payment later.
Routing numbers for different types of banks
Banks, credit unions, and online banks all have routing numbers. A credit union's routing number works the same way as a bank's — it identifies the credit union and directs transfers to the right place. Online banks also have routing numbers, even though they do not have physical branches.
If you have accounts at multiple banks or credit unions, each one has its own routing number. Your savings account at a traditional bank will have a different routing number than your savings account at a credit union, because they are different institutions. But your checking account and savings account at the same bank will share the same routing number.
Some large banks have multiple routing numbers — one for each region or processing center. If you are unsure which routing number to use, check your bank's website or call customer service. They will tell you the correct routing number for your specific account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my checking account routing number for my savings account at the same bank?
Yes. Both accounts use the same routing number because they are at the same bank. The account number is what tells the bank which account to put the money into. You can use your bank's routing number for any account you have there.
Do I need a different routing number if I move money between my own accounts?
No. If you are moving money between your own checking and savings accounts at the same bank, you do not need a routing number at all. You can do this through your bank's website or app, or by calling the bank. The bank already knows both accounts belong to you.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may change after a merger. Your bank will notify you and update your account information. If you have recurring transfers set up, contact the bank to confirm whether the routing number has changed. Most banks send a notice in the mail or through your online account.
Is the routing number on my debit card the same as my bank's routing number?
Your debit card does not show your routing number. The routing number is on your checks (bottom left) or available through your bank's website and customer service. The numbers on your debit card are the card number and expiration date, not your routing number.
Can someone use my routing number to take money from my account?
No. A routing number alone cannot access your account. Someone would need both your routing number and your account number, and even then they would need authorization from your bank to move money. Your routing number is safe to share — it is public information that appears on your checks.