How to Find the Routing and Account Number on a Check

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what those digits across the bottom of a check mean? You’ll probably find three important numbers there: The routing number, account number and check number.

All of these numbers convey critical information, and it can be very helpful to know how to identify them if you’re trying to make a payment, link an account or set up direct deposit.

What Is a Routing Number?

Routing numbers are a nine-digit number originally developed by the American Bankers Association (ABA) in 1910 to identify financial institutions. You may occasionally see them referred to as “ABA routing numbers” or “transit numbers.”

This number is public and essential for things like payments or transfers, since it identifies which financial institution issued that account.

Let’s say you’ve set up direct deposit with your employer, so your pay can go directly into your checking account. You can think of your bank’s routing number as the first piece of information that helps your paycheck along its journey into your account.

Some institutions have one routing number for the entire business, but others, especially larger ones, may have several. This number could be based on the state or even the specific branch where the account was originally opened.

So, if you open a checking account with a major bank in one state and a friend opens one with the same bank in another state, you may have different routing numbers, even though you’re banking with the same institution.

Where is the routing number located on a check?

The routing number can be found on the bottom left corner of a check. It’s the first set of nine digits, likely following a blocky “|:” symbol.

This symbol isn’t a bored face somehow imprinted onto your check — it’s actually a trigger symbol to help check-processing equipment identify when the number starts and ends.

What Is an Account Number?

Account numbers identify your specific account at a financial institution. These are assigned by the institution and they’re typically between 9 and 12 digits in length. It determines where funds should be deposited to or withdrawn from and might be used when setting up bill payments or direct deposit.

Note that this number is unique to each account. You may have both a checking and savings account at the same bank, but each one will have a separate account number.

So, if you have direct deposit set up and the bank’s routing number is the first part of your paycheck’s journey into your account, the account number determines the destination of that journey.

Which number is the account number on a check?

The checking account number is typically the second set of numbers along the bottom of a check, following the routing number and another “|:” symbol. This number is usually around 8 to 12 digits in length, but there’s no standardized length. At a large national bank, it’s likely that this is the longest number in that row, but that might not be the case with smaller institutions.

What Is the Check Number and Where Is It Located?

There’s another number of note on a check, but this one is more about convenience than anything else.

The check number is typically displayed in the upper right corner of a check, as well as the last part of the check’s bottom row.

This is the shortest number on a check, usually three or four digits long, and it’s simply there to help you keep track of which of your checks you’re looking at.

These are usually sequential, so if the first check from a brand-new checking account has a check number of 0001, the next will be 0002, and so on.

5 Easy Ways To Find Your Routing and Account Numbers

1. Look at the bottom of your checks

You can refer to the digits along the bottom of your personal checks to find your routing and account numbers.

2. Log in to online or mobile banking

Most banks list your routing and account number somewhere in your account details after you log in.

3. Check your bank statements

Some banks list your routing and account number on your statement. If you don’t get these in the mail, you may receive them digitally or access them through your bank’s website.

4. Visit the bank’s website

If you simply need the routing number, many banks list routing numbers on their website. This could be somewhere in the footer, or in a Help or FAQ section.

5. Call or visit your bank

Finally, you can call your bank or visit a physical branch to talk with a representative and verify your routing and account numbers.

FAQs

Is an ABA number the same as a routing number?

Yes. Routing number, ABA number, ABA routing number and routing transit numbers are all names for the same thing. These differ from SWIFT or BIC codes, which refer to a different identifier used for international transfers.

How can I find my routing number without a check?

You don’t need a check to find your routing or account number. You can usually access them through your bank’s online banking or mobile app, by visiting a branch, calling the bank, or sometimes, on a statement.

Are routing numbers the same for every branch of my bank?

There’s no guarantee that every branch of a bank uses the same routing number. Financial institutions may have multiple routing numbers, which can vary by individual branch or the state the account was opened in.

Do credit unions have routing numbers too?

Like banks, credit unions also use routing numbers for the same purpose: Identifying the financial institution that an account is held at.

Bottom Line

There’s a lot of information on a check, even before it’s filled out. But luckily, none of it’s too complicated once you take it all in.

When you can easily identify elements like the routing number, account number and check number, it can potentially simplify things like paying bills, linking accounts and depositing checks.