Your Bank of America routing number is a nine-digit code that tells other banks and payment systems where to send money meant for your account.
Bank of America uses different routing numbers depending on which state your account is held in and what type of account you have. When you set up a direct deposit, pay a bill through another bank's system, or send money via wire transfer, you will need to provide this number so the payment reaches the right place. The routing number is not secret — it appears on the bottom left of your checks, and you can find it through your online banking, by calling customer service, or by looking it up on Bank of America's website using your state.
The routing number is separate from your account number. Your account number identifies which specific account the money should go into; the routing number identifies which Bank of America location or processing center handles that account. Together, they make up the full address for your 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 held, not where you live.
- You can find your routing number on the bottom left of a check, in your online banking portal under account details, or by calling Bank of America customer service.
- Direct deposits, bill payments, wire transfers, and peer-to-peer transfers all require a routing number to reach the correct account.
- Providing a wrong routing number will send money to the wrong bank or processing center, delaying the payment and requiring correction.
How to find your Bank of America routing number
The fastest way is to look at a check from your account. The nine-digit number on the bottom left, before your account number, is your routing number. If you do not have checks, log into your Bank of America online banking account, go to Account Details or Account Information, and the routing number will be listed there alongside your account number.
You can also call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and provide your account number. A representative will give you the routing number for your specific account. If you need the routing number for a particular state location (for example, if you moved but your account is still registered to another state), ask the representative which number applies to your account as it currently exists in their system.
Why routing numbers differ by state
Bank of America processes payments through regional Federal Reserve centers and clearing houses. Each state has its own routing number because payments are sorted and cleared through different processing networks depending on geography. This does not mean your money stays in that state — it is simply how the payment system routes the transaction to the correct destination.
If you move to a different state, your routing number may change. Contact Bank of America to confirm whether your account's routing number has changed, or check your online banking portal. Using an outdated routing number can cause delays because the payment will be sent to the old processing center first, then rerouted.
When you need to provide your routing number
Direct deposit is the most common reason. Your employer or a government agency (such as Social Security or the IRS) will ask for your routing number and account number to deposit paychecks or benefits directly into your account. Without the correct routing number, the deposit will fail or go to the wrong account.
Bill payments through other banks' systems also require it. If you pay a bill using another bank's bill pay service, that bank needs your Bank of America routing number to send the payment to the right place. Wire transfers, whether you are sending or receiving money, require a routing number. Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or PayPal may ask for it if you are linking your Bank of America account to transfer money in or out.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
The payment will be sent to a different bank or processing center. If the account number does not exist at that location, the payment may be rejected and returned to the sender. If an account number happens to match, the money could go into someone else's account — a serious problem that requires the receiving bank to reverse the transaction.
Even if the error is caught quickly, the delay can be several days. Direct deposits may miss payroll cycles. Bill payments may post late, triggering late fees. Wire transfers sent to the wrong routing number are harder to recover than ACH payments (the system used for direct deposits and most bill payments). Always double-check the routing number before submitting a payment, especially for large amounts or time-sensitive transfers.
Routing number versus account number
Your routing number identifies Bank of America and the processing center for your account. Your account number identifies your specific account within Bank of America. Both are required for most payments. The routing number is the same for all accounts held at that Bank of America location in that state; the account number is unique to you.
On a check, the routing number appears first (nine digits on the far left), followed by your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), then the check number. When you provide both to set up a payment, you are giving the payment system the full address: which bank, and which account within that bank.
Routing numbers for different account types
Bank of America uses the same routing number for checking and savings accounts held in the same state. Money market accounts, CDs, and other product types also use the state-based routing number. The routing number does not change based on what type of account you have — only on the state where the account is registered.
If you have multiple accounts in different states, each will have a different routing number. Confirm which routing number belongs to which account before setting up a payment. Your online banking portal will show the routing number for each account separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same routing number for all my Bank of America accounts?
Only if all your accounts are in the same state. If you have accounts in different states, each account has its own routing number. Check your online banking portal to see the routing number for each account.
Is my routing number the same as my SWIFT code?
No. A routing number is used for domestic payments within the United States. A SWIFT code is used for international wire transfers. Bank of America's SWIFT code is different from your routing number. Ask Bank of America for the SWIFT code if you are receiving money from outside the US.
What if I moved to a new state — do I need a new routing number?
It depends on whether your account was transferred to the new state or remains registered to the old state. Contact Bank of America to confirm. If your account is still registered to your old state, you keep the old routing number. If it was moved, you may have a new one.
Can someone access my account if they have my routing number?
A routing number alone is not enough to access your account. Someone would also need your account number and other identifying information. However, do not share your routing number and account number together with people you do not trust, as that combination can be used to set up unauthorized payments.
Why did my direct deposit fail even though I provided the correct routing number?
The most common reasons are a typo in your account number, a mismatch between the name on your account and the name the employer has on file, or the account being closed or frozen. Contact Bank of America to confirm your routing and account numbers are correct, then ask your employer to resubmit the deposit.