Where the account number appears on your check
Your account number is printed on the bottom left of your check, right after the routing number. It comes in the second group of numbers in that row of digits at the bottom of the check — the routing number is first (nine digits), your account number is second (typically 10 to 12 digits, though this varies by bank), and the check number is third on the right side.
The account number identifies which specific account at your bank the check is drawn from. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each one has its own account number, and each check is printed with the account number for that particular account.
The numbers are printed in a special machine-readable format called MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition), which is why they look slightly different from regular printed numbers. You can read them with your eyes just fine — the special format is so bank processing machines can read them quickly and accurately.
Key Takeaways
- Your account number is the second group of numbers at the bottom of your check, between the routing number and the check number.
- Account numbers are typically 10 to 12 digits long, though the exact length depends on your bank.
- The numbers are printed in MICR format, which looks slightly different but is readable by both people and machines.
- Each of your accounts at the same bank has a different account number, and checks are printed with the correct number for that account.
Why banks print the account number on checks
The account number on your check tells the receiving bank which account to pull money from when the check is deposited. Without it, the bank would have no way to know which of your accounts the check should be drawn against.
When someone deposits your check, their bank reads the routing number to find your bank, then reads the account number to find your specific account within that bank. The check number helps both banks keep track of which check this is in case there are questions later.
What to do if you can't find your account number on a check
If the numbers at the bottom of your check are faded, smudged, or hard to read, you can find your account number in other places. Your bank statement lists it clearly at the top. You can also log into your online banking and find it in your account settings or profile section.
If you need your account number right away and don't have a check or access to your statement, call your bank's customer service line. Have your ID ready — they will ask you to verify who you are before giving out account information.
Account numbers and check security
Your account number is printed on every check you write, so it is not secret information in the way a password is. However, you should still be careful about who you give it to. Someone with your account number and routing number could potentially set up unauthorized transfers or payments from your account.
Only provide your account number and routing number to people and organizations you trust — your employer for direct deposit, your landlord or utility company for automatic payments, or your bank itself. If someone asks for this information unexpectedly, verify that they are who they claim to be before you give it out.
Different formats across banks
Most banks print the account number as a single continuous string of digits, but some banks break it into groups with hyphens or spaces to make it easier to read. For example, one bank might print it as 1234567890 while another prints 1234-567-890. Both are the same account number — the hyphens are just for readability.
The length of account numbers also varies. Most are 10 to 12 digits, but some banks use shorter or longer numbers. This does not affect how the check works — the bank's system knows how many digits to expect for that particular bank.
Reading the MICR line correctly
The bottom of a check has three distinct groups of numbers separated by special symbols that look like colons with extra marks. From left to right: the routing number (9 digits), then the account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), then the check number (usually 4 to 5 digits). The symbols between them are not numbers — they are just separators that help the machines read each section.
If you are copying these numbers by hand, write only the digits, not the symbols. If you are entering them into a form online, the form usually has separate boxes for routing number and account number, so you do not have to worry about the symbols at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my account number the same as my check number?
No. Your account number identifies which account the check is drawn from. Your check number identifies which individual check this is. A single account can have hundreds of checks, each with a different check number, but they all share the same account number.
Can someone use my account number to steal money from my account?
Your account number alone is not enough to transfer money out. Someone would also need your routing number, and even then, most unauthorized transfers require additional verification. However, you should still be cautious about sharing this information with people you do not trust.
What if my checks have the wrong account number printed on them?
Contact your bank immediately. If your checks were printed with the wrong account number, they will draw from the wrong account when deposited. Your bank can reorder checks with the correct account number, usually at no charge if it was their error.
Do I need to memorize my account number?
No. You can always look it up on your statement, in your online banking, or on a check. Most people do not memorize it. You only need to know where to find it when you need to provide it to someone.