Where to find both numbers on your check
The routing number is the nine-digit code printed at the bottom left of your check, inside a box made of dashes or special characters. It identifies your bank or credit union. The account number sits to the right of the routing number, also at the bottom of the check, and is typically 10 to 12 digits long. Together, these two numbers tell any financial institution exactly where your money lives.
Both numbers appear in the same row at the bottom of the check. The routing number always comes first, on the left. The account number follows immediately after. A third number sometimes appears to the right of the account number — that is the check number, which is different from both.
The routing and account numbers are printed in a special magnetic ink called MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). This is why they look slightly different from the rest of the text on your check — the font is distinctive and the ink is darker. This special formatting lets bank machines read the numbers automatically when you deposit or cash a check.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number is the nine-digit code on the far left at the bottom of your check, inside a box or between dashes.
- The account number is the 10- to 12-digit code printed immediately to the right of the routing number.
- Both numbers are printed in magnetic ink and appear in the same row at the bottom of the check.
- You need both numbers together to set up direct deposit, authorize automatic payments, or provide banking details to an employer or government agency.
Why banks print these numbers on checks
Banks print routing and account numbers on every check so that the check can be processed automatically. When you write a check and the recipient deposits it, their bank scans these numbers to figure out which bank holds your account and where to pull the money from. Without these numbers in a machine-readable format, every check would have to be processed by hand.
The routing number is specific to the bank branch or the bank itself, depending on the bank's size. Some large banks use the same routing number for all their branches nationwide. Smaller banks or credit unions may have different routing numbers for different regions. The account number, by contrast, is unique to you — no other person at your bank has your account number.
How to read the numbers correctly
Start at the bottom left of the check. You will see a series of numbers separated by special symbols that look like colons or vertical bars. The first group of nine digits is your routing number. Write it down or read it left to right without skipping any digits.
Immediately after the routing number, you will see the account number. Count the digits carefully — do not confuse the account number with the check number. The check number appears on the right side of the bottom row and is usually only four digits. If you are filling out a form that asks for your account number, use the middle set of numbers, not the one on the right.
If the numbers are hard to read because the check is old, faded, or damaged, you can find both numbers online through your bank's website or mobile app. Log in to your account and look for a section labeled "Account Details" or "Banking Information." Your bank will display both numbers there.
What happens if you give the wrong number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, a payment or direct deposit will either bounce back to the sender or go to the wrong bank. The sender will be notified that the transfer failed, and the money will return to their account within a few business days. You will not receive the payment.
If you provide an incorrect account number but the correct routing number, the money may go into someone else's account at your bank. This is rare because most banks have safeguards in place, but it can happen. The sender or their bank may catch the error and reverse the transaction. If the money does land in the wrong account, contact your bank immediately — they can trace the transaction and recover the funds.
Always double-check both numbers before you give them to an employer, government agency, or anyone else who will use them to send you money. Read the numbers aloud to yourself or have someone else read them back to you to catch mistakes.
Differences between checks from different banks
The location and format of routing and account numbers are the same on checks from any U.S. bank or credit union — they always appear at the bottom in magnetic ink. However, the numbers themselves vary. A check from Bank of America will have a different routing number than a check from Wells Fargo or a local credit union.
Some banks print additional information on checks, such as a branch code or a transit number, but the routing and account numbers are always in the same position. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each account will have its own unique account number, but they may share the same routing number.
If you switch banks, your new bank will issue you new checks with a new routing number and a new account number. Do not use old checks from your previous bank — they will not work because the routing number no longer belongs to you.
When you need these numbers without a check
If you do not have a check in front of you, you can find your routing and account numbers through your bank's website or app. Log in, go to your account settings or account details page, and look for a section that shows your banking information. Most banks display both numbers clearly.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing and account numbers. Have your account number or Social Security number ready so the bank can verify your identity. Some banks will also print this information on your debit card statement or send it to you by mail if you request it.
If you are setting up direct deposit for an employer or government payment and do not have a check, ask your bank for a deposit slip or a letter that contains your routing and account numbers. Many banks can email or print this for you on the spot.
Common mistakes when copying the numbers
The most common mistake is confusing the check number with the account number. The check number is short — usually four digits — and appears on the right side of the bottom row. The account number is longer, usually 10 to 12 digits, and sits in the middle. If a form asks for your account number and you enter the check number instead, the transaction will fail.
Another mistake is skipping a digit or adding an extra digit when you write down the numbers. Routing numbers are always exactly nine digits. Account numbers vary in length, but your bank can tell you how many digits yours should have. If you are unsure, compare the number you wrote down to the one on your check a second time.
Some people also misread similar-looking digits, such as 0 (zero) and O (the letter O), or 1 (one) and l (lowercase L). The numbers on your check are printed in a special font designed to avoid this confusion, but if you are copying them by hand, slow down and check each digit individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the routing number from one check with the account number from another check?
Only if both checks are from the same bank and the same account. If the checks are from different accounts or different banks, the numbers will not match and the transaction will fail. Always use the routing and account numbers from a check for the account you want to use.
Is it safe to give my routing and account number to someone?
Your routing number is public information — it is printed on every check you write. Your account number is more sensitive. Give both numbers only to people or organizations you trust, such as your employer, a government agency, or a company you are paying. Do not share them in emails or text messages unless you initiated the request.
What if my check does not have numbers at the bottom?
All checks issued by U.S. banks and credit unions must have routing and account numbers printed at the bottom in magnetic ink. If you cannot see them, the check may be damaged, very old, or not a real bank check. Contact your bank to confirm the check is valid or to request a replacement.
Do I need both numbers for direct deposit?
Yes. Direct deposit requires both your routing number and your account number. Your employer or the organization sending the payment uses the routing number to find your bank and the account number to find your specific account. Without both, the deposit cannot be processed.
Can the routing number change?
Rarely. A routing number can change if your bank merges with another bank or if your account is transferred to a different branch. If this happens, your bank will notify you and may issue new checks. Your account number typically stays the same even if your bank changes.