The simplest way to know what you have
Look at your bank statement or your online banking login. The account type is printed on the first page of your statement, usually near your account number. It will say either "Checking Account" or "Savings Account" — sometimes with a longer name like "Money Market Account" or "High-Yield Savings," but the word "checking" or "savings" will be there. If you have not received a statement yet, log into your bank's website or app, click on your account name, and the account type appears in the account details section.
If you cannot find a statement and do not remember your login, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or the bank's main phone line. Tell them your name and account number (if you have it) or your Social Security number. They will tell you in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank statement lists the account type on the first page, next to your account number.
- Online banking portals show account type in the account details or summary section.
- A checking account comes with a debit card and checkbook; a savings account typically does not.
- If you opened the account recently, your welcome letter from the bank names the account type.
- Calling your bank's customer service line is the fastest way to confirm if you cannot locate your statement.
What your debit card and checkbook tell you
If you have a debit card linked to the account, it is almost certainly a checking account. Savings accounts rarely come with debit cards because they are designed for money you keep set aside, not for everyday spending. If you can write checks on the account, it is definitely checking — savings accounts do not include checkbooks.
This is not foolproof: some banks offer debit cards on savings accounts, and some checking accounts do not come with checks. But if you have both a debit card and checks, you are holding a checking account.
Check your welcome letter or account opening confirmation
When you opened the account, the bank sent you a welcome letter or email with your account details. This letter states the account type clearly, usually in the first paragraph or in a section labeled "Account Information." It also lists your account number, routing number, and the date the account opened.
If you opened the account online, check your email for a confirmation message from the bank. Search your inbox for the bank's name or the word "account" — the confirmation usually arrives within an hour of opening. If you opened it in person at a branch, ask the teller for a printed copy of your account details if you no longer have the original letter.
Understand the difference in how each account works
A checking account is built for moving money in and out frequently. You can deposit paychecks, withdraw cash at ATMs, pay bills online, send money to other people, and make purchases with a debit card. There are usually no limits on how many times you can do these things in a month. Checking accounts typically earn little to no interest on the money you keep in them.
A savings account is built for keeping money separate and letting it grow. You can deposit and withdraw money, but some banks limit how many withdrawals you can make per month (though this rule has become less common). Savings accounts earn interest — a small percentage of your balance paid to you by the bank — so the money grows over time. You usually cannot write checks or use a debit card on a savings account.
If you use your account mainly to receive paychecks and pay bills, it is checking. If you use it mainly to set money aside and watch it grow, it is savings.
Look for interest earnings on your statement
Savings accounts earn interest and show it on your monthly statement. You will see a line item that says something like "Interest Paid" or "Interest Earned," followed by a small dollar amount. This appears once a month, usually at the end of the statement.
Checking accounts rarely show interest earnings. If your statement has no interest line at all, or if the interest amount is zero, you likely have a checking account. Some checking accounts do earn interest — called "interest-bearing checking" — but this is less common and the bank will have told you about it when you opened the account.
Ask your bank directly if you remain unsure
There is no penalty for calling and asking. Banks answer this question dozens of times a day. Have your account number ready (it is on your debit card, checks, or statement), and the representative can confirm your account type in seconds. You can also visit a branch in person and ask a teller — they can print out your account details on the spot.
If you have multiple accounts with the same bank, make sure you are asking about the right one. Tell the representative which account you are asking about — for example, "the account I use for my paycheck" or "the account ending in 4567" — so there is no confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my checking account to a savings account or vice versa?
Most banks allow you to convert one type to the other, but it is usually easier to open a new account with the type you want. Conversion can take a few days and may involve closing the old account. Call your bank to ask whether conversion is an option and what the process looks like, or simply open a second account if you need both types.
What if I have both a checking and savings account at the same bank?
You can have both. Many people keep a checking account for daily spending and a savings account for money they want to set aside. Your statement will list both accounts separately, and you can transfer money between them online or by phone. Make sure you know which account number belongs to which type.
Does my account type affect how I file taxes?
No. The IRS does not care whether your money sits in checking or savings. What matters for taxes is the interest you earn on a savings account — if you earn more than a small amount (the threshold changes yearly), the bank will send you a form to report it. Checking accounts earn so little interest that this rarely applies.
What if my bank calls my checking account something different, like "eChecking" or "Premium Checking"?
These are still checking accounts — the bank is just using a brand name. The word "checking" in the name tells you it functions like a checking account: you can use a debit card, write checks, and make unlimited transactions. The prefix or suffix usually just means it has different fees or features than the bank's basic checking product.