Your bank's routing number is a nine-digit code printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it on your bank's website or by calling customer service.
The routing number identifies which bank or credit union holds your account. When money moves into your account—a tax refund, insurance payment, stimulus deposit, or business transfer—the routing number tells the sending institution exactly where to send it. Without the correct routing number, the deposit goes to the wrong bank or bounces back.
You need both your routing number and your account number to receive a refund by direct deposit. The routing number is always nine digits. Your account number is separate and varies in length by bank.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, printed as the first nine-digit sequence.
- If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or settings—most banks display it there.
- You can also call your bank's customer service line and provide your account number; they will give you the routing number over the phone.
- The routing number is specific to your bank and branch, so if you switch banks, you need the new bank's routing number for future deposits.
- Routing numbers are public information and safe to share; they are needed by anyone sending you money by direct deposit or bank transfer.
Finding the routing number on a check
Open a checkbook from the account where you want the refund deposited. Look at the bottom of any check. You will see three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines or symbols.
The first group of nine digits is your routing number. The second group is your account number. The third group is the check number. The routing number always comes first and is always nine digits long.
If your checks are old or from a different branch, the routing number may have changed. Verify it with your bank before submitting it to a refund program.
Finding the routing number online
Log into your bank's website or open the mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," "Settings," or "Manage Account." Most banks display the routing number alongside your account number in this section.
If you cannot find it in account settings, try the bank's FAQ or Help section and search for "routing number." Many banks have a dedicated page listing routing numbers for each branch.
Some banks also let you download an official document showing both numbers. This document can be useful if you need proof of your account details for a refund program.
Calling your bank for the routing number
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Have your account number ready. Tell the representative you need the routing number for your account.
Customer service can confirm the routing number in seconds and can also tell you if there are multiple routing numbers for your bank (some large banks have different numbers for different regions or services). They will give you the correct one for direct deposits.
Routing numbers for credit unions and online banks
Credit unions and online banks work the same way—they have routing numbers, and you find them the same places: checks, the website, or by calling. If you belong to a credit union, the routing number is specific to that credit union, not to the national credit union system.
Online banks that do not issue checks still display the routing number in the account details section of their website or app. If you cannot find it, their customer service can provide it immediately.
What to do if your bank has multiple routing numbers
Large banks sometimes have different routing numbers for different regions, branches, or types of transactions. When you call or check online, ask specifically which routing number to use for direct deposit refunds.
If you submit the wrong routing number, the refund may be delayed or sent to a different branch of your bank. The money usually gets sorted out, but it can take extra time. Using the routing number from your checks or from your bank's official website reduces this risk.
Verifying the routing number before you submit it
Before you give your routing number to a tax agency, insurance company, or refund program, double-check it against your bank's official source. Use the bank's website or a call to customer service, not a third-party routing number database.
Confirm that the routing number matches the account you want the refund sent to. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each account uses the same routing number, but you need to make sure you are giving the correct account number as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to give my routing number to a refund program?
Yes. Routing numbers are public information. A refund program needs it to send money to your account, and it cannot withdraw money using only a routing number—they also need your account number, and even then, most banks require authorization. Never share your full account number or PIN with anyone you did not contact first.
What if I give the wrong routing number?
The refund will either bounce back to the sender or go to a different bank. If this happens, contact the refund program immediately and provide the correct routing number. They can resubmit the deposit, though it may take an extra week or two.
Do I need a different routing number for each account at the same bank?
No. All accounts at the same bank use the same routing number. You only need to change the account number if you are switching which account receives the refund.
Can I use a routing number from an old check?
Probably, but verify it first. Banks sometimes change routing numbers when they merge or reorganize branches. Check your bank's website or call to confirm the number is still current before submitting it to a refund program.
What if my bank does not have a website or I cannot reach customer service?
Write a check from that account and look at the bottom. The first nine-digit number is your routing number. If you do not have checks, visit a branch in person with your ID and ask for the routing number.