Your savings account routing number is the nine-digit code your bank uses to identify itself in the U.S. banking system
Every bank and credit union has a unique routing number, sometimes called an ABA number or routing transit number. When you set up a direct deposit, wire transfer, or automatic payment from your savings account, you will need to give the receiving party both your routing number and your account number. The routing number tells the system which bank holds your money; the account number tells it which specific account within that bank.
Your savings account uses the same routing number as your checking account if both are at the same bank. The routing number does not change based on the type of account — it is tied to the bank branch or the bank itself, not to individual accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank or credit union, not to your individual account.
- You can find your routing number on the bottom left of your checks, on your bank's website, or by calling customer service.
- The routing number stays the same whether you use checking or savings; it identifies the bank, not the account type.
- If you moved money between banks or your bank merged, your routing number may have changed, so verify before setting up transfers.
Where to find your routing number
The easiest place to look is the bottom left corner of any check from your savings account. The first nine digits printed there are your routing number, followed by your account number and then the check number on the right.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to use them, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display your routing number in the account details section, sometimes labeled "Bank Information" or "Account Information." You may need to click into your specific savings account to see it.
Call your bank's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. A representative can confirm your routing number in under a minute. If you bank at a credit union, the same applies: check your statements, the credit union's website, or call the main line.
Routing numbers and bank mergers or transfers
If your bank was acquired by another bank or merged with another institution in the past few years, your routing number may have changed. Banks typically notify customers of routing number changes by mail or email, but the notification can be easy to miss.
Before you set up a direct deposit, wire transfer, or automatic payment, verify your current routing number with your bank directly. Using an old routing number can cause transfers to fail or be delayed. If you are unsure whether your bank has changed hands, your bank's website will show the current routing number, and customer service can confirm whether a change occurred.
Routing numbers for online banks and credit unions
Online banks and credit unions operate the same way as traditional banks — they have routing numbers, and you find them the same way. Log into your account online, check your statements, or call customer service. Some online banks display the routing number prominently on the account dashboard; others require you to navigate to a specific section.
Credit unions often have multiple routing numbers depending on which branch or region you opened your account with. If you opened your account at one credit union branch but now live in a different state, verify which routing number applies to your account before setting up transfers. The credit union's website or a phone call to your local branch will clarify this.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have looked on your checks, your bank's website, and your statements and still cannot locate it, call your bank. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. Customer service will provide your routing number immediately.
If you are setting up a transfer and the receiving bank or service says your routing number is invalid, do not assume the number is wrong — verify it with your bank first. Invalid routing numbers are usually the result of a typo, an old number after a merger, or confusion between your routing number and your account number.
Routing numbers and security
Your routing number is not sensitive information in the way your password or PIN is. It is printed on every check you write and is meant to be shared with employers, service providers, and anyone else who needs to send money to your account. Sharing your routing number alone does not put your account at risk.
However, do not share your full account number along with your routing number unless you trust the recipient and know why they need both. Scammers sometimes pose as banks or service providers to collect account information. If someone calls or emails asking for your account details, contact your bank directly using the number on your statement or card to verify the request is legitimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for my savings and checking account?
Yes. Both accounts at the same bank use the same routing number because the routing number identifies the bank, not the account type. You will use different account numbers for each account, but the routing number stays the same.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. If you want to send money to someone's savings account, you need their routing number and their account number. The routing number tells the system which bank to send it to; the account number tells the bank which account within that bank receives the money.
What happens if I use the wrong routing number?
The transfer may fail and be returned to you, or it may be delayed while the bank tries to sort out where it should go. If you realize you used the wrong routing number, contact your bank or the service that initiated the transfer as soon as possible to stop or correct it.
Do I need my routing number to withdraw money from my savings account?
No. Your routing number is only needed for transfers between banks, direct deposits, and automatic payments. To withdraw money in person or online from your own bank, you only need your account number and PIN or password.
Where do I find my routing number if I bank online?
Log into your online banking account and look for account details, bank information, or settings. Most online banks display the routing number on the main account page or in a dedicated section. If you cannot find it, call customer service or check your statements.