The difference is in what the account lets you do with your money
A checking account is designed for regular spending. You get a debit card and checks, you can make unlimited deposits and withdrawals, and you pay bills from it. A savings account is designed to hold money and earn interest. You typically have fewer withdrawals per month, no debit card, and the bank pays you a small percentage on the balance you keep there.
The easiest way to know which one you have is to look at your bank statement or log into your online banking. The account type is listed right there — usually at the top of the page or in your account details. If you have both, they will be listed separately with different account numbers.
If you cannot find your statement or do not remember your login, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your most recent paper statement. They can tell you in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Checking accounts come with a debit card and checks for spending; savings accounts do not and are meant to hold money.
- Your bank statement or online account dashboard shows your account type clearly.
- If you have both accounts at the same bank, they will have separate account numbers and appear as separate lines in your online banking.
- Calling your bank's customer service line is the fastest way to confirm if you are unsure.
- Some accounts are hybrid or money market accounts that blend features of both — your statement will name the exact type.
Where to find your account type on your statement
Open your most recent bank statement — either the paper one mailed to you or the one you can download from your online banking portal. Look at the top section where your name and account information appear. The account type is usually printed there in plain text: "Checking Account," "Savings Account," "Money Market Account," or something similar.
If you have multiple accounts, each one gets its own section on the statement or its own page. The account number and type appear together, so you can tell them apart. Some banks also label them by nickname if you have named them — for example, "Emergency Fund Savings" or "Daily Spending Checking."
If your statement is very old or formatted differently, look for a section labeled "Account Summary" or "Account Details." The type is always listed somewhere in the opening information, never buried in the transaction history.
Checking your online banking dashboard
Log into your bank's website or mobile app using your username and password. On the main dashboard or home screen, you will see a list of all your accounts. Each one shows the account type right next to the account number — usually in a label or header above the balance.
Click or tap on any account to see more details. The account type will appear again in the account settings or account information section. Some banks also show a small icon next to each account — a checkbook icon for checking, a piggy bank or safe icon for savings.
If you have not set up online banking yet, you can do so through your bank's website. You will need your account number (from a statement or debit card) and your Social Security number or other identifying information. Once you are logged in, the account type is visible immediately.
What to look for if you are not sure
If your statement or online banking uses unfamiliar terms, here is what different account types actually are. A checking account will say "Checking," "Demand Deposit," or "Transaction Account." A savings account will say "Savings," "Savings Deposit," or "Regular Savings." A money market account is a hybrid that earns interest like savings but lets you write checks or use a debit card like checking.
You can also tell by looking at what comes with the account. If you have a debit card and checks, it is checking. If you do not have either and the statement shows interest earned, it is savings. If you have both a debit card and interest earned, it is likely a money market account.
Some banks offer accounts with names like "High-Yield Savings" or "Premium Checking" — these are still checking or savings accounts, just with different interest rates or fees. The core type (checking or savings) is what matters for knowing how you can use the money.
Calling your bank to confirm
If you cannot locate your statement or online banking, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on any mail from your bank. Tell the representative you want to know what type of account you have. They will ask for your name and account number or Social Security number to pull up your information.
This takes less than five minutes. The representative will tell you the exact account type and can also tell you if you have multiple accounts at that bank. If you have questions about what you can do with the account — like whether you can write checks or how many withdrawals you get per month — ask while you have them on the line.
Most banks have customer service available during business hours and some offer 24/7 phone support. If you prefer not to call, many banks also offer live chat through their website or app.
What happens if you have both checking and savings
Many people have both accounts at the same bank. The checking account is for everyday spending, and the savings account is for money you want to keep separate and earn interest on. Each account has its own account number, its own debit card (or no debit card for savings), and its own balance.
On your statement and in your online banking, they appear as two separate entries. You can transfer money between them, usually for free and instantly through online banking. Some banks let you set up automatic transfers — for example, moving a certain amount from checking to savings each payday.
If you are not sure whether you have one account or two, your statement will show all of them. Count the account numbers listed — one number means one account, two numbers means two accounts, and so on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn my savings account into a checking account?
No, but you can open a new checking account at the same bank and keep your savings account open. Most banks let you open a checking account online or in person in a few minutes. You would then have both accounts, each with its own number and purpose.
What if my bank closed my account and I do not remember which type it was?
Call your bank and ask them to look up your closed account history. They can tell you what type it was and why it was closed. If you need to open a new account, knowing the type helps you choose the right one for how you plan to use it.
Does it matter which type I have for getting a tax refund or other payment?
No. Refunds and government payments can go to either checking or savings. The bank routes the deposit to whichever account number you provide, regardless of type. Just make sure you give the correct account number when you set up direct deposit.
Can I have a checking account without a debit card?
Yes. Some people use checks or online bill pay instead of a debit card. You can request that your bank not issue a debit card, or simply not use the one they send. The account is still a checking account — the debit card is just one optional tool.
What if my statement says "Money Market Account"?
A money market account is a blend of checking and savings. It earns interest like savings but may come with a debit card or checks like checking. Your statement will show the exact features — look for whether it lists a debit card and how many withdrawals per month are allowed.