Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies which bank or credit union holds your account
Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of every check you write. It tells the banking system which institution to pull money from when someone sends you a direct deposit, pays a bill from your account, or transfers funds to you. Without it, the payment lands nowhere.
The routing number is not the same as your account number. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. The routing number identifies the bank itself. If you move to a different bank, your routing number changes. If you open a second account at the same bank, your routing number stays the same.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left corner of your checks, before your account number.
- You can find your routing number by calling your bank's customer service line or logging into your online banking portal.
- Different branches of the same bank may have different routing numbers, so confirm you have the correct one for your specific branch.
- You will need your routing number and account number together to receive direct deposits, set up bill pay, or transfer money between accounts.
Where to find your routing number on a check
Look at the bottom of any check from your account. You will see three groups of numbers. On the far left is a nine-digit number — that is your routing number. In the middle is your account number. On the right is the check number.
The routing number is always nine digits. If you see fewer or more digits in that position, you are looking at the wrong group. Some banks print the routing number twice on a check — once in the lower left corner and once in the upper right — to make it easier to find.
How to find your routing number online
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account information or account details. Most banks display your routing number alongside your account number in a section labeled "Account Information," "My Accounts," or "Account Summary." You may need to click into a specific account to see it.
If you cannot find it in your account dashboard, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your monthly statement. Have your account number ready. A representative can give you your routing number in under a minute.
Why routing numbers matter for refunds and payments
When you receive a tax refund, insurance refund, or government payment by direct deposit, the IRS, your state, or the paying agency uses your routing number to send the money to the correct bank. If you provide the wrong routing number, the deposit goes to someone else's account or bounces back to the sender.
The same applies when you set up automatic bill payments, transfer money between your own accounts at different banks, or receive a paycheck through direct deposit. The routing number is the address that tells the banking system where to send the money.
Routing numbers vary by bank and sometimes by branch
Each bank has its own routing number. Chase's routing number is different from Bank of America's, which is different from a local credit union's. Some large banks use multiple routing numbers for different regions or branches. If you have accounts at two different banks, each account has a different routing number.
If your bank has multiple branches and you are not sure which routing number belongs to your branch, ask your bank directly. Using the wrong routing number for your branch can delay or misdirect a deposit. Your bank's website usually lists routing numbers by state or region.
What to do if you do not have checks
If you have not ordered checks or do not keep them, you have other ways to find your routing number. Call your bank's main customer service line — the number is on your debit card, your monthly statement, or your bank's website. You can also visit your bank in person and ask a teller.
Some banks allow you to look up your routing number on their website without logging in. Search "[Your Bank Name] routing number" and you will often find a page where you can enter your state or zip code to see the routing number for your branch.
Protecting your routing number
Your routing number is public information — it appears on every check you write and is not a secret. However, you should never share your routing number along with your account number to someone you do not trust. Together, these two numbers can be used to set up unauthorized transfers or payments from your account.
If someone asks for your routing number, confirm who they are and why they need it. Legitimate banks, employers, and government agencies will ask for it to send you money. Scammers may ask for it to take money out. If you are unsure, hang up and call the organization back using the number on your official statement or their website.
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 within that bank. You need both numbers together to receive direct deposits or transfers. The routing number appears first on a check, followed by your account number.
Can I use the same routing number for all my accounts at one bank?
Usually yes, but not always. If all your accounts are at the same branch of the same bank, they share one routing number. Some large banks use different routing numbers for different regions or account types. Check with your bank if you have multiple accounts and want to confirm they use the same routing number.
What happens if I give the wrong routing number for a direct deposit?
The deposit will either go to the wrong account or bounce back to the sender. If it goes to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank to recover it — a process that can take weeks. Always double-check your routing number before submitting it for a refund or paycheck.
Do I need my routing number to receive a tax refund?
Yes, if you choose direct deposit. The IRS uses your routing number and account number to deposit your refund into your bank account. You provide both numbers on your tax return or when you set up direct deposit through the IRS website.
Can I find my routing number on my debit card?
No, your debit card does not show your routing number. It shows your account number and card number, but not your routing number. You will find it on a check, in your online banking portal, or by calling your bank.