The routing number is printed at the bottom left of your check, before your account number
Your bank routing number appears in the bottom left corner of any check you write. It is a nine-digit code printed in magnetic ink, and it always comes first — before your account number and before the check number. The three numbers sit in a row at the bottom of the check, separated by special symbols that look like colons with extra marks.
The routing number identifies which bank or credit union issued your check. Banks use it to sort checks and direct them to the correct financial institution during processing. If you are sending a check to someone, they may ask for your routing number to set up a direct deposit or automatic payment from your account.
The format is always the same on every check from the same bank account. If you have multiple accounts at different banks, each will have its own routing number printed on those checks.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number is the first nine-digit code at the bottom left of your check, printed before your account number.
- The three numbers at the bottom of a check appear in this order: routing number, account number, then check number.
- Your routing number stays the same for every check from the same account and identifies your specific bank or credit union.
- You can also find your routing number on your bank's website, by calling customer service, or through your online banking portal.
How to read the numbers at the bottom of your check
The bottom of a check contains three separate pieces of information, and they appear in a specific order from left to right. The first set of nine digits is your routing number. After that comes your account number, which is usually longer — often ten to twelve digits. At the far right is your check number, which is typically four digits.
All three numbers are printed in a special magnetic ink that machines can read automatically. The symbols between them — they look like colons with small horizontal lines — are part of the machine-readable format and help sorting equipment identify where each number begins and ends.
If you are filling out a form that asks for your routing number and account number separately, use only the first nine digits for the routing number. Do not include the account number or check number in that field.
What to do if you cannot read the numbers on your check
Checks can fade, tear, or become difficult to read over time. If the magnetic ink at the bottom of your check is smudged or unclear, you do not need to guess — your bank can tell you the routing number immediately.
Call your bank's customer service line, which is usually printed on the front of your check or on your bank statement. You can also log into your online banking account or mobile app; most banks display your routing number in the account details or settings section. Some banks print it on your statement as well.
If you have lost all your checks and need the routing number, your bank's website usually has a routing number lookup tool. You enter your state and city, and the tool returns the routing number for your branch.
Routing numbers are different from account numbers
A routing number belongs to your bank or credit union, not to you personally. Every customer at the same bank branch typically shares the same routing number. Your account number, by contrast, is unique to your specific account — no one else has it.
This is why forms sometimes ask for both. The routing number tells the system which bank to send money to; the account number tells the bank which account within that bank should receive it. Together, they make sure your deposit or payment reaches the right place.
If you move to a different bank, your new checks will have a different routing number but a completely different account number as well. If you stay with the same bank but open a second account, the routing number stays the same but the account number changes.
When you need to provide your routing number
You may be asked for your routing number when you set up direct deposit for a paycheck or government payment. Employers, the IRS, and state tax agencies all use routing and account numbers to deposit refunds or wages directly into your bank account instead of sending a check.
You might also need it to set up automatic bill payments from your bank account, or if you are receiving a wire transfer or ACH transfer from someone else. Insurance companies sometimes ask for it when processing a refund. In each case, you are giving the other party permission to pull money from your account or deposit money into it.
Never share your full account number with someone you do not trust, but the routing number alone is generally safe to share — it only identifies your bank, not your specific account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number the same on all my checks from the same bank?
Yes. Every check from the same account will have the same nine-digit routing number printed at the bottom left. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each account may have a different routing number depending on which branch it is tied to, so check the bottom of checks from each account to be sure.
Can I use a picture of a check to find my routing number?
Yes, as long as the bottom of the check is clear and readable in the photo. The routing number is the first nine digits at the bottom left. You can also take a photo of a check and send it to your bank if you need them to confirm the number is correct.
What if my bank has multiple routing numbers?
Some large banks use different routing numbers for different regions or types of accounts. Check the bottom of your actual check to see which routing number is printed there — that is the one you need for your account. Your bank's website can also tell you which routing number applies to your specific branch and account type.
Do I need my routing number to receive a check from someone else?
No. You only need to provide your routing number and account number if someone is depositing money directly into your account electronically. If someone is mailing you a paper check, they do not need either number — they just need your name and mailing address.