The routing number is the nine-digit code at the bottom left of your check
Your bank routing number appears in the lower left corner of every check you write. It is printed in a specific format: nine digits, usually enclosed in a box or separated by colons (like 021000021). This number identifies which bank or credit union issued your check and is used by other banks to route payments to your account.
The routing number sits to the left of your account number and to the right of the check number. If you hold a check up to the light, you will see three separate groups of numbers at the bottom: the check number on the far left, the routing number in the middle-left position, and your account number on the right.
You need this number when setting up direct deposit, arranging automatic bill payments, or receiving wire transfers. It tells the sending bank exactly where to send the money.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number is always nine digits and appears at the bottom left of your check, before your account number.
- The routing number identifies your specific bank or credit union, not your individual account.
- You will need the routing number to set up direct deposit, automatic payments, or incoming wire transfers.
- If you do not have a check, you can find the routing number on your bank's website, by calling the bank, or through the American Bankers Association routing number search tool.
- The routing number is different from your account number — do not confuse the two when providing information to others.
How to read the numbers at the bottom of a check
The bottom of a check contains three separate pieces of information, and they always appear in the same order from left to right. The first number is your check number (usually four digits). The second number, in the middle, is your routing number (always nine digits). The third number on the far right is your account number (typically 10 to 12 digits, but this varies by bank).
The routing number is printed in a special magnetic ink that allows bank machines to read it automatically. This is why the numbers look slightly different from the rest of the text on the check — they are designed to be machine-readable as well as human-readable.
If the numbers at the bottom of your check are faded, smudged, or hard to read, you can still find your routing number through other methods. Do not guess or try to reconstruct it from memory, as an incorrect routing number will cause the payment to go to the wrong bank.
What the routing number tells you
The nine-digit routing number is specific to your bank or credit union and the location where you opened your account. Different branches of the same bank may have different routing numbers, particularly if they are in different states or regions. Some large banks use multiple routing numbers depending on the type of account or the state where the account was opened.
The routing number does not change if you move to a different branch or if you change your account type. It remains the same for the life of your account, unless your bank merges with another bank or your account is transferred to a different institution.
This number is public information — it appears on every check you write, and anyone who receives a check from you will see it. Sharing your routing number alone does not put your account at risk. However, you should never share your routing number together with your account number, as that combination could allow someone to set up unauthorized payments from your account.
Finding your routing number without a check
If you do not have a check available, your bank's website usually displays your routing number in the account information or settings section. Log into your online banking portal and look for a page labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Routing and Account Numbers." Most banks make this information easy to find.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number. Have your account number or the phone number associated with your account ready when you call. The bank representative will verify your identity and provide the routing number over the phone.
The American Bankers Association maintains a free routing number search tool on its website. You can search by bank name and state, and the tool will return the routing number for that institution. This is useful if you are trying to find the routing number for a bank where you do not have an account.
Routing numbers for wire transfers and direct deposit
When you set up direct deposit for your paycheck or benefits, your employer or the benefits administrator will ask for your routing number and account number. The routing number tells their bank which institution to send the money to. Without the correct routing number, the deposit will not reach your account.
For wire transfers, the routing number serves the same purpose — it directs the sending bank to transfer funds to your specific bank. Wire transfers are often faster than checks, but they require accurate routing and account numbers to work correctly.
Some employers or payment processors may ask for an "ABA routing number" — this is the same thing as the routing number on your check. ABA stands for American Bankers Association, the organization that assigns these numbers. Do not confuse this with a SWIFT code, which is used for international transfers and is different from a domestic routing number.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have lost your checks, do not have online banking access, and cannot reach your bank by phone, you can visit a branch in person. Bring a form of identification and ask a teller for your routing number. They can provide it immediately and may also print it on a receipt for your records.
If your bank has closed or merged with another bank, contact the new institution or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to find out what routing number applies to your account now. Bank mergers sometimes result in routing number changes, and you will need the updated number for any new direct deposits or automatic payments.
Keep a record of your routing number in a safe place once you find it. Write it down or save it in a password-protected note on your phone. This saves you time the next time you need it for direct deposit, bill payments, or other banking transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my account number?
No. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. The routing number is nine digits and appears first at the bottom of your check. Your account number comes after the routing number and is typically 10 to 12 digits. You need both numbers together to set up direct deposit or automatic payments.
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my routing number?
A routing number alone is not enough to access your account. Someone would need both your routing number and your account number to set up unauthorized payments. Even with both numbers, most banks require additional verification before processing large transfers. Do not share your account number with anyone you do not trust, but sharing your routing number is generally safe.
Do I need a different routing number for each type of transaction?
No. The same routing number works for checks, direct deposit, automatic bill payments, and wire transfers. Your bank uses this single routing number to identify where your account is held, regardless of how the money is being sent or received.
What if my check shows a routing number that does not match what my bank told me?
This can happen if your bank uses multiple routing numbers for different account types or regions. Call your bank and confirm which routing number to use for the specific transaction you are setting up. Using the wrong routing number will cause the payment to fail or go to the wrong place.
Will my routing number change if I move to a different state?
Not automatically. Your routing number is tied to the branch or institution where your account was opened, not to your current location. However, if you close your account and open a new one at a different bank in a different state, your new account will have a different routing number.