Your routing number is the same whether you use checking or savings
A routing number belongs to your bank or credit union, not to a specific account. If you have both a checking account and a savings account at the same institution, they share the same routing number. The routing number identifies where your money is held — the financial institution itself — while your account number identifies which specific account within that institution receives or sends the money.
This matters when you set up direct deposit, wire transfers, or automatic bill payments. You will need both pieces of information, but the routing number stays constant across all your accounts at that bank.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank's routing number is the same for checking, savings, and any other account type you hold there.
- The routing number identifies your bank; the account number identifies which specific account receives the money.
- If you move money between your own checking and savings accounts at the same bank, you use the same routing number for both.
- If you have accounts at two different banks, each bank has its own routing number, even if you use the same account type at both.
When the routing number changes
Your routing number changes only if you move your account to a different bank or credit union. If you open a new savings account at the same bank where you already have checking, the routing number does not change. The bank's routing number is tied to the institution and its location, not to the type of account or when you opened it.
Some large banks operate multiple routing numbers based on geography or the branch where you opened the account. If you are unsure whether your bank uses more than one routing number, call the customer service number on the back of your card or check your bank's website — they will tell you which routing number applies to your specific account.
How to find your routing number
The easiest place to find your routing number is the bottom left corner of a check from that account. The first nine digits are the routing number; the next set of digits is your account number. If you do not have checks, log into your online banking portal — most banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section.
You can also call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person. The bank's website usually has a routing number lookup tool where you enter your state and sometimes your city, and it returns the correct number. The Federal Reserve also maintains a public routing number database you can search online.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you provide the wrong routing number for a direct deposit or transfer, the money may go to the wrong bank entirely. The sending institution will try to deliver it based on the routing number you gave them, not based on your account number. This can delay your money by several days while the receiving bank sorts out the error and sends it back.
If the money goes to another person's account at a different bank, recovery takes longer and involves contacting both banks. Always double-check the routing number before you submit a direct deposit form or authorize a wire transfer. A few seconds of verification prevents days of waiting.
Routing numbers for transfers between your own accounts
When you move money from your checking to your savings account at the same bank, you typically do not need to use the routing number at all. Most banks let you transfer between your own accounts through their online portal or mobile app without entering routing information — the system already knows both accounts belong to you.
If your bank requires routing information for internal transfers, use the same routing number for both accounts. Some banks also allow you to set up a transfer by simply selecting both accounts from a dropdown menu, which bypasses the need to enter numbers manually.
Routing numbers for different banks
If you have a checking account at Bank A and a savings account at Bank B, each bank has its own routing number. When you transfer money from Bank A to Bank B, you use Bank B's routing number along with your account number at Bank B. The routing number tells the system where the money is going; the account number tells it which account at that destination receives it.
This is why it is important to know which bank holds which account. If you have accounts scattered across multiple institutions, keep a list of the routing numbers and account numbers for each one. Many people store this information in a password manager or a secure note on their phone for quick reference when they need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a different routing number for ACH transfers versus wire transfers?
No. The same routing number works for both ACH transfers (which take one to three business days) and wire transfers (which are faster). The routing number identifies your bank; the transfer method is a separate choice you make when you initiate the transaction.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
After a merger, your routing number may change. Your bank will notify you and update your account information. Check your bank's website or call customer service to confirm your current routing number if you are unsure. Any direct deposits or automatic payments you have set up may need to be updated with the new routing number.
Can I use my savings account routing number for a direct deposit to my checking account?
No. You must use the routing number that matches the account type where you want the money to land. If you want direct deposit to go to your checking account, use your checking account's routing number along with your checking account number. Using your savings routing number will send the deposit to your savings account instead.
Is the routing number the same if I have a joint account?
Yes. Whether the account is in your name alone or held jointly with another person, the routing number remains the same — it still identifies your bank. The account number identifies that specific joint account.
What if I have multiple checking accounts at the same bank?
Both checking accounts share the same routing number because they are both at the same bank. Each account has its own account number. When you transfer between them or set up direct deposit, use the shared routing number paired with the specific account number for the account you want to use.