Look at your account statements and bank login
The simplest way to find out is to log into your bank's website or app and look at your account list. Your bank labels each account as either "Checking" or "Savings" right next to the account number. If you have paper statements, the account type appears at the top of the first page, usually near your account number and the bank's name.
If you have not set up online banking yet, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your most recent statement. Tell them your account number, and they will tell you the account type in under a minute. You can also walk into any branch with your ID and ask a teller to confirm.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank labels the account type in your online account list, on paper statements, and in your account agreement.
- Calling your bank's customer service line is the fastest way to confirm if you do not have online access.
- Checking accounts come with a debit card and checkbook; savings accounts typically do not.
- The account type determines how many withdrawals you can make per month and whether you earn interest.
Check your account agreement or welcome letter
When you opened your account, your bank sent you a document called an account agreement or disclosure statement. This document lists the account type, the monthly fee (if any), withdrawal limits, and the interest rate. If you kept that paperwork, the account type is stated clearly on the first page.
If you cannot find the original letter, most banks let you download past statements and account documents from your online banking portal. Look for a section called "Documents," "Account Info," or "Statements." The account agreement is usually there going back several years.
Look at what comes with the account
Checking accounts almost always come with a debit card and the ability to order checks. If you have a checkbook or a debit card linked to this account, it is almost certainly a checking account. Savings accounts rarely include these features, though some banks now offer debit cards on savings accounts as well.
Checking accounts are designed for frequent transactions — paying bills, buying groceries, getting cash from ATMs. Savings accounts are designed to hold money and earn interest. If you use this account mainly to store money and rarely withdraw from it, it is probably a savings account.
Understand the difference in how they work
Checking and savings accounts have different rules about how often you can withdraw money. Checking accounts have no limit on withdrawals — you can take money out as many times as you want each month. Savings accounts historically had a limit of six withdrawals per month, though many banks have removed this rule in recent years.
Savings accounts earn interest, which means the bank pays you a small percentage of your balance each month. Checking accounts rarely earn interest, or earn very little. If your account statement shows interest being added to your balance, it is a savings account. If your statement shows no interest, it is likely a checking account.
Ask your bank directly if you are still unsure
If none of these methods work or you want to be completely certain, contact your bank. You do not need to explain why you are asking — banks answer this question all the time. Have your account number ready, and they will confirm the account type in seconds.
Some banks also send account type information in text messages or email alerts. If your bank offers account notifications, you can turn on alerts for transactions, and the alert will often show the account type. This is useful if you manage multiple accounts and need to keep track of which is which.
What to do if you have the wrong account type
If you discover you have a savings account but need a checking account (or vice versa), you can switch. Most banks let you convert one account to another without closing it and opening a new one. Call your bank or visit a branch, and ask to convert the account. The process usually takes a few minutes.
Alternatively, you can open a second account of the type you need. Many banks offer this at no cost if you already have an account with them. Keep in mind that opening a new account may trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report, though this is rare for checking and savings accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both a checking and savings account at the same bank?
Yes. Most people have both. You can use the checking account for daily spending and the savings account to set money aside. Many banks let you link them so you can transfer money between them instantly online.
What if my bank calls it something other than "checking" or "savings"?
Some banks use different names — "Money Market" accounts, "NOW" accounts, or "Premium" accounts. Ask your bank which category it falls into. They will tell you whether it works like a checking account or a savings account, and what the withdrawal limits and interest rules are.
Does it matter which type I use for direct deposit?
No. Your employer can deposit your paycheck into either a checking or savings account. However, most people use checking because they need to access that money frequently. Savings accounts work too, but you may hit withdrawal limits if you take money out multiple times a week.
Will switching account types affect my debit card or online banking?
No. Your debit card and login will continue to work. If you convert a savings account to checking, your bank may issue you a new debit card, but your old one usually works until it expires. Online banking access does not change.