A routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which bank holds your account
Every bank in the United States has a routing number — also called an ABA number or routing transit number. When money moves between banks, the routing number is how the system knows where to send it. If you give someone your account number alone, the payment has nowhere to go. The routing number is the address; the account number is the mailbox.
You need your routing number whenever you set up direct deposit, arrange a wire transfer, pay a bill by check, or receive a refund that the payer wants to deposit straight into your account. Tax refunds, insurance payouts, and government payments all use routing numbers to land in the right place.
The routing number stays the same no matter which branch you use or how many accounts you have at that bank. It identifies the bank itself, not your individual account.
Key Takeaways
- A routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank, used to direct money to the correct financial institution.
- 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 is different from your account number — you need both for direct deposits and wire transfers.
- If you switch banks, your routing number changes, but your old routing number will not cause a payment to fail if you give it by mistake.
Where to find your routing number
The easiest place to look is the bottom left corner of any check you have. The first nine digits printed there are your routing number. The next set of digits is your account number.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display the routing number in the account details section, sometimes labeled "Bank Information" or "Account Settings." You may need to click through to a specific account if you have more than one.
Call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or bank statements — and ask for your routing number. They will give it to you in seconds. You can also visit a branch in person, though this is slower than the other methods.
Routing numbers are different for each bank
Chase has a different routing number than Bank of America, which has a different one than Wells Fargo. Some large banks have multiple routing numbers depending on which state you opened your account in or which processing center handles it. If you are unsure which routing number applies to your account, your bank's website or a phone call will clarify.
Online banks and credit unions also have routing numbers. If you bank with a smaller institution, the routing number may be harder to find on the website, but customer service can always provide it.
What happens if you give the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number when setting up direct deposit or a wire transfer, the payment will not reach your account. It may bounce back to the sender, or it may land in someone else's account at a different bank — which creates a problem that takes time to untangle.
For tax refunds and government payments, the IRS and other agencies will attempt to deposit the money using the routing and account numbers you provided. If the routing number is wrong, the deposit fails and the money is returned to the government. You will then receive a check by mail instead, which takes several weeks longer.
Always double-check the routing number before you submit it, especially for large payments or refunds. Copy it directly from your check or bank website rather than relying on memory.
Routing numbers for wire transfers and ACH payments
The routing number you use for wire transfers is the same one you use for direct deposit and ACH payments (automatic clearing house transfers). Some banks print different routing numbers on checks versus wire transfer instructions, so if you are sending a wire, confirm with your bank that you have the correct number for that specific transaction type.
Wire transfers move money faster than ACH payments — usually within hours — but both use the routing number to identify your bank. Once the money reaches your bank, it is matched to your account number and deposited.
Routing numbers when you change banks
If you close an account at one bank and open a new one at another, your routing number changes because you now have a different bank. Any direct deposits or automatic payments set up with your old routing number will fail after you close the account.
Before you switch banks, update your routing and account number with your employer (for direct deposit), your insurance company, your government benefit programs, and any other organization that sends you regular payments. This prevents a gap in deposits while the transition happens.
If you forget to update and a payment arrives at your old bank after you have closed the account, contact the sender and provide your new routing and account number. They can resubmit the payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my account number?
No. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both are printed on your checks — the routing number is the first nine digits on the bottom left, and the account number follows it.
Can someone use my routing number to steal money from my account?
A routing number alone cannot be used to withdraw money. A thief would need both your routing number and your account number, plus authorization to initiate a transfer. Sharing your routing number with a legitimate payer (your employer, the IRS, your insurance company) is safe.
What if my bank has multiple routing numbers?
Large banks sometimes maintain different routing numbers for different regions or processing centers. If you are unsure which one applies to your account, contact your bank directly. They will tell you which routing number to use for your specific account and transaction type.
Do I need a routing number to receive a check payment?
No. A routing number is only needed for electronic transfers — direct deposit, wire transfers, and ACH payments. If someone sends you a paper check, you do not need to provide a routing number.
Will my routing number change if I move to a different state?
Not usually. Your routing number is tied to your bank, not your location. If you keep the same bank account and simply move, your routing number stays the same. However, if you close your account and open a new one at a different bank, you will have a new routing number.