Your Bank of America ABA routing number is a nine-digit code that tells other banks where to send money to your account
The ABA routing number is a standardized identifier created by the American Bankers Association. Bank of America uses different routing numbers depending on which state your account is held in, even though you bank with the same institution. When you send money via ACH transfer, wire transfer, or set up direct deposit, the sending bank uses your routing number to locate your specific Bank of America branch and deposit the funds into the correct account.
You will see your routing number printed on the bottom left of your checks, if you have them. If you do not have checks or cannot locate the number, you can find it by logging into your Bank of America online account, calling 1-800-432-1000, or visiting a branch in person. The routing number is not secret—it is safe to share with employers, billers, and anyone else who needs to send you money.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America routing numbers are nine digits and vary by state, so you must use the one for the state where your account is registered.
- You need your routing number whenever you set up direct deposit, receive ACH transfers, or authorize automatic bill payments from your account.
- The routing number appears on the bottom left of your checks and in your online banking portal under account details.
- Sharing your routing number with legitimate payors and billers is safe; it is not a security credential like a PIN or password.
How to find your specific Bank of America routing number
Bank of America publishes a routing number lookup tool on its website where you enter your state and account type (checking or savings). The routing number depends on the state where your account is domiciled, not where you live or which branch you visit. For example, if your account is registered in California, you use the California routing number even if you live in Texas.
If you have a Bank of America check, look at the bottom left corner. The first nine digits are your routing number; the next set of digits is your account number. You can also log into your Bank of America online account, go to Account Details or Account Information, and the routing number will be listed there. If you do not have online access or prefer to speak with someone, call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and provide your account number.
When you need to provide your routing number
You will need your routing number when setting up direct deposit with an employer or government agency. Payroll departments use the routing number and your account number to deposit your paycheck automatically into your Bank of America account. The same applies if you receive benefits payments, tax refunds, or other regular deposits from a government program.
You also need it to authorize automatic bill payments from your account. If you want to pay a utility bill, mortgage, loan, or other recurring expense by having the biller pull money from your bank account, you will provide your routing number and account number. Additionally, if someone is sending you money via ACH transfer—a common way to move funds between banks—they will ask for your routing number and account number to complete the transfer.
The difference between routing number and account number
Your routing number identifies Bank of America and the specific state branch where your account lives. Your account number identifies your individual account within that bank. Together, they form a complete address for your money. Think of the routing number as the bank's address and the account number as your mailbox within that address.
When you write a check, both numbers appear at the bottom. When you set up direct deposit or authorize an ACH transfer, you must provide both. If you give only the routing number without the account number, the money cannot reach you. If you give the account number without the routing number, the sending bank will not know which Bank of America branch to contact.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the transfer will either fail or be sent to the wrong bank. Most modern banking systems catch the error before the money leaves your account, and the transaction will be rejected with a message that the routing number is invalid. You will then need to resubmit with the correct number.
In rare cases, a transfer may go to a different bank entirely if you transpose digits. The sending bank will eventually discover the error and return the funds to the originating account, but this can take several business days. To avoid delays, double-check your routing number against your checks or your online account before you provide it to an employer, biller, or anyone sending you money.
Routing numbers for Bank of America wire transfers and international payments
If you are sending or receiving a wire transfer through Bank of America, you may need a different routing number than the standard ACH routing number. Wire transfers use the Federal Reserve's wire routing number system, which differs from ACH routing numbers. Bank of America's wire routing number is 121000248 for most domestic wire transfers, regardless of your account's home state.
For international wire transfers, you will also need your account number and may need additional information such as your bank's SWIFT code (BOFAUS3N for Bank of America) or IBAN if you are sending money to certain countries. If you are unsure which routing number to use for a wire transfer, contact Bank of America directly or ask the person or organization sending you the wire—they can confirm the correct number.
Security and privacy considerations
Your routing number is not a secret. It is printed on every check you write and is publicly available through Bank of America's lookup tool. Sharing it with payors, employers, and billers is necessary and safe. Someone who has only your routing number and account number cannot log into your account, change your password, or move money without your authorization.
However, treat your account number with more caution than your routing number. While the routing number alone is harmless, the combination of routing number and account number allows someone to initiate transfers from your account. Do not share this combination with anyone you do not trust. If you suspect fraud or unauthorized transfers, contact Bank of America immediately at 1-800-432-1000 or through your online account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a different routing number for each Bank of America account I have?
No. If all your accounts are in the same state, they share the same routing number. The account number is what distinguishes one account from another. If you have accounts in different states, each state's accounts use that state's routing number.
Can I use the same routing number for checks and direct deposit?
Yes. The routing number on your checks is the same one you use for direct deposit and ACH transfers. It identifies your Bank of America branch and account location, regardless of the payment method.
What if Bank of America merged with another bank or changed my account's state?
If your account is transferred to a different state or consolidated with another institution, your routing number may change. Bank of America will notify you of any change. Always verify your current routing number through your online account or by calling customer service before setting up new direct deposits or payments.
Is the routing number the same for business and personal accounts?
Business and personal Bank of America accounts in the same state typically share the same routing number. However, some business account types may have different routing numbers. If you manage both types of accounts, confirm the routing number for each account separately through your online portal or by calling Bank of America.