The routing number is in the bottom left corner, and your account number is next to it
Your check has three numbers printed along the bottom in magnetic ink. From left to right, they are: the routing number (nine digits), your account number (usually ten to twelve digits), and the check number (three to four digits, also printed in the top right corner). The routing number identifies your bank or credit union. The account number identifies your specific account at that bank.
These numbers appear in a standardized location on every check so that banks can process payments automatically. When you write a check or set up a direct deposit, you will need both numbers. The routing number tells the receiving bank where to send or pull the money. The account number tells that bank which of your accounts to use.
If your check is from a joint account, both account holders' names appear on the check, but there is only one account number. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each one has its own account number, though they share the same routing number.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number (nine digits) sits on the far left of the three-number sequence at the bottom of your check.
- Your account number (ten to twelve digits) appears immediately to the right of the routing number in the same magnetic ink line.
- The check number appears twice: in the bottom sequence and in the top right corner of the check.
- You need both the routing number and account number to set up direct deposit, receive wire transfers, or authorize automatic payments.
How to read the magnetic ink line
The bottom of every check displays three groups of numbers separated by colons or special symbols. The first group is always nine digits—that is your routing number. The second group is your account number, which varies in length depending on your bank but is typically ten to twelve digits. The third group is the check number.
The numbers are printed in a special magnetic ink that machines can read automatically. This is why the numbers look slightly different from the printed text elsewhere on the check. Do not confuse the routing and account numbers with other numbers on the check: your bank's name and address appear at the top, your personal information is printed on the left side, and the check number also appears in the top right corner in regular ink.
What each number does
The routing number is a code assigned by the Federal Reserve to your specific bank or credit union branch. It tells any other financial institution where your account lives. When someone sends you a direct deposit or you set up an automatic bill payment, the routing number directs that money to the correct bank. Different branches of the same bank may have different routing numbers, so if you have accounts at multiple locations, check which routing number applies to your specific branch.
Your account number is unique to you within that bank. It identifies which account the money should go into. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they have different account numbers but share the same routing number. The account number is what prevents your paycheck from going into someone else's account at the same bank.
The check number is simply a reference for you and your bank to track which check was used for which payment. It helps you match cleared checks to your bank statement and dispute a specific transaction if needed.
Finding these numbers if you do not have a check
If you do not have a physical check or cannot read the numbers clearly, you can find your routing and account numbers through your bank's website or mobile app. Log into your online banking account and look for a section labeled "Account Information," "Account Details," or "Routing Information." Most banks display both numbers prominently on this page.
You can also call your bank's customer service line—the number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank statements. A representative can read both numbers to you over the phone. Some banks also print these numbers on your monthly statement, though not all do.
If you use a credit union, the process is the same: log into your account online or call the credit union's main number. Credit unions assign routing numbers just like banks do, and the numbers appear on checks in the same location.
Why banks use this system
The routing and account number system has been in place since the 1960s and allows banks to process millions of transactions daily without human intervention. When you set up direct deposit with your employer, you provide these two numbers so that the payroll system can automatically send your paycheck to the correct bank and the correct account. The same system works for bill payments, wire transfers, and automatic deposits from government agencies.
Because the numbers are standardized and machine-readable, errors are rare. However, if you provide an incorrect routing number, the money may go to the wrong bank. If you provide an incorrect account number, it may go to the wrong account at the correct bank. This is why it is important to double-check both numbers before setting up any automatic payment or direct deposit.
Common mistakes when copying these numbers
The most frequent error is confusing the routing number with the account number. The routing number is always nine digits and comes first. The account number is longer and comes second. If you are setting up direct deposit and the system rejects your numbers, verify that you have entered them in the correct order.
Another common mistake is including the check number by accident. If a form asks for your routing and account number, do not include the third set of digits. Some people also misread similar-looking digits—particularly 0 (zero) and O (the letter O), or 1 (one) and l (lowercase L)—so read the numbers aloud to yourself as you write them down.
If you are copying numbers from a check image on your phone or computer, make sure the image is clear and not rotated. The magnetic ink numbers can be hard to read on a small screen, so zoom in if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to share my routing and account number?
Your routing number is public information—it is printed on every check and is not secret. Your account number is semi-private: you share it whenever you set up direct deposit or authorize a payment, but you should not post it on social media or share it with unknown callers. Scammers sometimes call claiming to be from your bank and ask for your account number; your bank already has this information and will never ask for it over the phone.
Do I need both numbers for direct deposit?
Yes. Your employer or the organization sending you money needs both the routing number (to find your bank) and the account number (to find your account within that bank). If you provide only one, the deposit will fail. Most direct deposit forms have separate fields for each number.
What if my routing number changes?
Routing numbers rarely change, but they can if your bank merges with another bank or restructures its branches. If this happens, your bank will notify you and provide the new routing number. Any direct deposits already set up will continue to work because the bank's system updates automatically. You should update any new direct deposits with the new routing number.
Can I use a mobile check deposit instead of providing these numbers?
Mobile check deposit (taking a photo of a check through your bank's app) does not require you to enter routing or account numbers—the bank's system reads them automatically from the check image. However, you still need these numbers for setting up direct deposit, automatic bill payments, or wire transfers.
What if the numbers on my check are smudged or unclear?
Contact your bank and ask them to confirm your routing and account numbers. Do not guess or try to read smudged numbers, as entering incorrect digits will cause payments to fail or go to the wrong place. Your bank can provide the correct numbers immediately through their website, app, or customer service line.