Your routing number is on your checks, online banking, and by calling your bank
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which bank holds your account. You need it for direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH payments, and setting up automatic bill pay. The fastest way to find it is to look at the bottom left corner of a check from your account — the first set of nine digits is your routing number.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to use them, your bank's website shows your routing number in the account details section, usually under "Account Information" or "Routing and Account Numbers." You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number — they will give it to you over the phone in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number appears as the first nine digits at the bottom left of any check from your account.
- Your bank's website displays your routing number in the account details or settings section without logging in required.
- Calling your bank's customer service number gets you the routing number immediately, and you do not need to be a member to ask.
- The routing number is specific to your bank and branch, not to your individual account, so all customers at the same branch share the same routing number.
Finding your routing number on a check
Open a checkbook from your account and look at the bottom of any check. You will see three sets of numbers printed in magnetic ink. The first set of nine digits on the left is your routing number. The second set is your account number. The third set on the right is the check number itself.
This method works only if you have checks from the correct account. If you have checks from an old account or a different bank, the routing number will be wrong. Make sure the checks are from the account you are actually using now.
Finding your routing number online
Go to your bank's website and sign into your account. Look for a section called "Account Information," "Account Details," "Routing and Account Numbers," or "Bank Information." Most banks put this in the account settings or dashboard area. The routing number will be displayed alongside your account number.
If you cannot find it in your account, try searching the bank's website for "routing number" using the search bar. Many banks also have a dedicated page that lists routing numbers for all their branches. You may be able to search by branch location or account type to find the exact routing number for your account.
Calling your bank to get your routing number
Find the customer service phone number on the back of your debit card, on your bank statement, or on the bank's website. Call and tell the representative you need your routing number. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually by providing your account number, Social Security number, or answers to security questions — and then give you the nine-digit code.
This method takes about five minutes total and works even if you do not have online access or checks. You do not need to have a specific reason to ask; banks provide routing numbers to account holders on request.
Understanding routing numbers for different account types
Some banks assign different routing numbers based on the type of account you hold or the branch where you opened it. A checking account and a savings account at the same bank might have the same routing number, or they might have different ones. If you are setting up a direct deposit or automatic payment, use the routing number for the specific account the money is going into or coming from.
If you have accounts at multiple branches of the same bank, each branch may have its own routing number. When in doubt, use the routing number from a check written on that specific account, or call your bank and specify which account you need the routing number for.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have lost your checks, cannot access your online banking, and do not want to call, you can search the Federal Reserve's routing number database online. Go to the Federal Reserve's website and use their routing number search tool. You will need to know your bank's name and state to search, and the results will show all routing numbers for that bank's branches.
Keep in mind that the Federal Reserve database shows all possible routing numbers for a bank, not necessarily the one for your specific account. If you get multiple results, call your bank to confirm which one applies to your account. This is especially important if your bank has many branches or has merged with another bank in recent years.
Routing number versus account number
Do not confuse your routing number with your account number. The routing number identifies your bank; the account number identifies your specific account within that bank. Both are printed on your checks. The routing number is always nine digits and appears first. The account number is usually 10 to 12 digits and appears second.
For direct deposits and wire transfers, you need both numbers. The routing number tells the sending bank where to send the money, and the account number tells that bank which account to deposit it into. If you provide only one, the transaction will not go through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for all my accounts at the same bank?
Usually yes, if the accounts are at the same branch. However, some banks assign different routing numbers by account type or branch location. Check a statement or call your bank to confirm if you have multiple accounts.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. The routing number is public information — it identifies the bank, not the person. You need both the routing number and the account number to send money to someone. Knowing only the routing number is not enough to access anyone's account.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
After a merger, your routing number may change. Check your most recent statement or log into online banking to see your current routing number. If you are unsure, call your bank and ask for the routing number associated with your current account.
Do I need my routing number to use my debit card?
No. You only need your routing number for direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH payments, and setting up automatic bill pay. Debit card transactions do not require it.
Is it safe to share my routing number?
Yes. Your routing number is not sensitive information — it is printed on every check you write and is publicly available through the Federal Reserve. You need to share it for direct deposits and wire transfers. Never share your full account number or PIN, but the routing number alone cannot be used to access your account.