Your routing number is a nine-digit code printed on the bottom left of your checks
The routing number is the first set of nine digits at the bottom left corner of any check from your account. It identifies which bank or credit union holds your account. You do not need to do anything to get it — it is already printed there and belongs to your financial institution, not to you personally.
The routing number stays the same for every check you write from that account. If you switch banks, your new bank will have a different routing number. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, they all share the same routing number.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is the first nine digits printed at the bottom left of your checks, before your account number.
- You can also find your routing number on your bank's website, by calling the customer service number on the back of your debit card, or by asking a teller in person.
- The routing number identifies your specific bank or credit union branch and is used for direct deposits, wire transfers, and automatic bill payments.
- Routing numbers are public information and sharing yours is safe — the routing number alone cannot be used to access your money.
Where to find it if you do not have a check
If you do not have a check in front of you, your bank's website usually displays your routing number in the account details section. Log in to your online banking portal and look for a page labeled "Account Information," "Account Details," or "Routing and Account Numbers." Most banks show both numbers there.
You can also call the customer service number on the back of your debit card and ask a representative to read it to you. Many banks also print the routing number on statements or in welcome materials sent when you opened the account. If you visit a branch in person, any teller can write it down for you.
The three numbers at the bottom of a check and what they mean
A check has three separate numbers printed along the bottom in magnetic ink. The first nine digits are the routing number (your bank). The second set of digits is your account number (your specific account at that bank). The third number is the check number (which check this is in your sequence).
When you give someone your routing number and account number together, they can set up a direct deposit or automatic payment to your account. The routing number tells the system which bank to send the money to. The account number tells the bank which account within that bank should receive it. The check number is just for your own record-keeping.
Why banks need your routing number
Banks use routing numbers to move money between financial institutions. When your employer sets up direct deposit, they need your routing number to know which bank to send your paycheck to. When you set up an automatic bill payment from your checking account, the biller needs your routing number to pull the money from the right bank.
Wire transfers, ACH transfers (the system used for most electronic payments), and recurring payments all require a routing number. Without it, the sending bank has no way to know where to direct the funds. The routing number is specific to your bank's location or processing center, not to you as an individual.
Routing numbers for different types of banks
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo each have multiple routing numbers — one for each region or processing center. If you have an account at a branch in California, your routing number might be different from someone with an account at the same bank in Texas. Your specific routing number depends on where your account was opened or which processing center handles your branch.
Credit unions also have routing numbers, sometimes called "transit numbers." Online banks and smaller regional banks each have their own routing numbers as well. If you are unsure which routing number applies to your account, the safest approach is to use the one printed on your checks or shown in your online banking portal, since those are always correct for your specific account.
What you should and should not share
Your routing number is public information. Sharing it is safe because the routing number alone does not give anyone access to your money. A person would need both your routing number and your account number to set up a transfer, and even then most banks require additional verification before moving funds.
You should share your routing number and account number when you need to receive direct deposits (paychecks, tax refunds, government payments) or set up automatic bill payments. You should not share your account number with someone you do not trust, and you should never share your PIN or online banking password. The routing number by itself is harmless to share.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have lost your checks, do not have online banking set up, and cannot reach your bank by phone, visit a branch in person with your ID. Any teller can look up your routing number in seconds and write it down for you. This is a routine request and takes less than a minute.
You can also search online for "[your bank name] routing number" along with your state or city. Most banks publish their routing numbers on their websites. If your bank has multiple routing numbers, the search result usually shows which one applies to your region. Make sure you are on your actual bank's website and not a third-party site, since routing number information is sometimes posted on financial reference sites that may not be current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my routing number?
No. A routing number alone cannot be used to access your account. Someone would need both your routing number and your account number, and even then most banks require additional verification or authorization before processing a transfer. Your routing number is safe to share.
Do I need a different routing number for each account I have?
No. If you have multiple checking or savings accounts at the same bank, they all use the same routing number. The routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies which specific account within that bank. You only need one routing number per bank.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
After a merger, your routing number may change. Your bank will notify you and send you new checks with the updated routing number. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up, contact those billers or your employer to update the routing number on file. Your old routing number will usually still work for a transition period, but updating it prevents delays.
Is the routing number the same for online transfers and checks?
Yes. Whether you are writing a paper check, setting up a direct deposit, or making an online transfer, you use the same routing number. It identifies your bank regardless of how the money is being moved.
Where do I find my routing number if I bank with a credit union?
Credit union routing numbers appear on checks the same way as bank routing numbers — the first nine digits at the bottom left. You can also find it on the credit union's website, by calling their member services line, or by visiting a branch. Credit unions sometimes call it a "transit number," but it serves the same purpose.