Look at your account statements and online banking login
The fastest way to find out is to open your bank's website or app and look at your account list. Most banks label each account clearly—you'll see "Checking" or "Savings" right next to the account name. If you have paper statements, the account type appears at the top of the first page, usually near your account number.
If you're not sure how to log in or don't have online access, 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'll tell you the account type in under a minute. This is the simplest route if you need an answer right away.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank statement or online account dashboard shows the account type next to the account name.
- Checking accounts come with a debit card and checks; savings accounts typically do not.
- Checking accounts allow unlimited deposits and withdrawals; savings accounts limit how many times you can withdraw per month.
- Your bank can tell you over the phone in seconds if you cannot find the information yourself.
- The account type determines what fees apply, whether you earn interest, and how often you can move money out.
Check what payment tools came with the account
Checking accounts come with a debit card and a checkbook (or the option to order one). Savings accounts rarely include either. If you received a debit card and checks when you opened the account, it's almost certainly a checking account.
Some banks offer savings accounts with a debit card attached, but this is less common. The presence of checks is a stronger signal—if you have a checkbook, the account is checking. Look through your desk or filing area for any checks with your name and account number printed on them.
Look at withdrawal limits in your account rules
Savings accounts have a limit on how many times you can withdraw money per month—often six times, though this varies by bank and account type. Checking accounts have no withdrawal limit. If your bank's website or app shows a withdrawal limit for your account, it's a savings account.
You can also find this information in the account agreement or terms you received when you opened the account. Search for words like "withdrawal limit" or "transaction limit" in that document. Federal rules used to enforce these limits more strictly, but they still apply at most banks, and the presence of any limit is a clear sign you have a savings account.
Compare your interest rate to what the bank advertises
Savings accounts earn interest on your balance; checking accounts typically earn little to no interest. If your account statement shows interest being added each month, it's a savings account. You can also log into your bank's website and look at what interest rate they're currently advertising for each account type, then compare it to what your statement shows.
Some checking accounts do earn a small amount of interest, but it's usually much lower than savings rates. If you're earning more than 0.01% annually, the account is likely a savings account. Check your last three or four statements to see whether interest appears regularly.
Review your account opening paperwork
When you opened the account, your bank gave you a document that said what type of account it was. This might be an email confirmation, a paper receipt, or a welcome letter. Search your email for messages from your bank with words like "account opened" or "welcome," or look through any papers you kept from that day.
The account type is usually stated clearly in the first paragraph. If you can't find the original paperwork, your bank can email or mail you a copy of the account agreement, which will state the type. Many banks keep these records for at least seven years, so even older accounts can be documented this way.
Ask your bank directly
If none of these methods work, contact your bank by phone, email, or in person at a branch. You'll need your account number or the phone number associated with the account. This is the most reliable way if you're unsure or if your account has features that don't fit neatly into one category.
Banks deal with this question regularly and can answer it in seconds. There's no penalty for asking, and you don't need to explain why you want to know. If you call, have your account number ready to speed up the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an account be both checking and savings?
No. Each account is one type or the other. Some banks offer accounts with features of both—like a checking account that earns interest—but the account will still be labeled as one primary type. Your bank's label is what matters for understanding your account's rules and what fees might apply.
Why does it matter which type I have?
Checking accounts are designed for frequent spending and bill payments. Savings accounts are designed to hold money and earn interest, with limits on how often you can withdraw. Knowing which you have helps you understand what fees might apply, what interest you'll earn, and whether the account fits how you plan to use it.
What if my bank calls it something other than "checking" or "savings"?
Some banks use different names like "transaction account," "money market account," or "NOW account." Ask your bank which category it falls under—they'll tell you whether it functions like a checking or savings account in terms of withdrawals, interest, and fees.
Can I change my account type?
Some banks allow you to convert one account type to another, but not all do. Contact your bank to ask if conversion is possible. If not, you can always open a new account of the type you want and transfer your money over.
What if I have multiple accounts at the same bank?
Banks often let customers hold both checking and savings accounts at the same time. Each account will be listed separately in your online banking portal with its own type label. Check your account list to see how many accounts you have and what type each one is.