Your routing number is the same whether you use checking or savings
Yes. Your bank's routing number is the same for both your checking account and your savings account. A routing number identifies the bank itself, not the type of account you hold there. When you set up direct deposit, wire a transfer, or receive a refund, you give the routing number once—it works for any account at that bank.
What changes between accounts is your account number, not the routing number. The account number is unique to each individual account you own. So if you have both a checking and a savings account at the same bank, they share one routing number but have two different account numbers.
This matters most when you're receiving money—a tax refund, insurance payout, or government payment. You need to provide both the routing number and the account number so the money lands in the right place. The routing number gets the payment to your bank; the account number tells your bank which of your accounts to deposit it into.
Key Takeaways
- One routing number covers all accounts you hold at the same bank, whether checking, savings, or money market.
- Each account has its own account number, so you must specify which account should receive the deposit.
- When setting up direct deposit or receiving a refund, you need both the routing number and the account number.
- If you switch banks, your routing number changes, but your account numbers at the old bank stay the same (they just become inactive).
- You can find your routing number on the bottom left of your checks, on your bank's website, or by calling customer service.
Where to find your routing number
Your routing number appears on the bottom left corner of any check you have from that bank. It's a nine-digit code printed before your account number. If you don't have checks handy, log into your bank's website or mobile app—most banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for the routing number. Have your account number ready when you call, though the representative can look it up by your name and address. Some banks have different routing numbers for different regions or branches, so confirm you have the correct one for your location.
Online banks and credit unions work the same way. Your routing number is tied to the institution, not to the account type. If you bank with a credit union, the routing number is sometimes called an ABA number or transit number, but it serves the same purpose.
What happens if you give the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number when setting up a refund or direct deposit, the payment will go to the wrong bank. The sending institution (like the IRS or your employer) will try to deposit the money, but it will either bounce back or land in someone else's account at a different bank.
If the money bounces back, it typically takes 5 to 10 business days to return to the sender. The sender then has to reissue the payment, which can delay your refund by weeks. If the money accidentally goes into another account, recovery is much harder and may require the other bank's cooperation and a formal dispute.
Double-check your routing number before you submit it. Write it down from your check or your bank's website, then verify it one more time. A single digit wrong will cause the deposit to fail.
Routing numbers for different account types at the same bank
Some large banks maintain separate routing numbers for different services or regions, but this is about the bank's internal structure, not about account type. A Wells Fargo checking account and a Wells Fargo savings account both use the same routing number for that region. However, Wells Fargo may have one routing number for the East Coast and a different one for the West Coast.
The key is to use the routing number that matches your bank's location and your account's location. If your bank has multiple routing numbers, your account statement or the bank's website will show you which one applies to your account. When in doubt, call the bank directly—they can confirm the correct routing number in under a minute.
Account numbers versus routing numbers
Your account number is printed on your checks right after the routing number. It's usually 10 to 12 digits and identifies your specific account. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, each has its own account number, but both use the same routing number.
When you receive a refund or set up direct deposit, you must provide both numbers. The routing number tells the sending bank where to send the money; the account number tells your bank which of your accounts to put it in. Mixing up these two is one of the most common reasons refunds go to the wrong place.
Some banks print the account number on statements and in online banking, but not on every piece of mail. If you can't find it, check a recent check or log into your account online. Your bank's customer service can also read it to you over the phone.
What to do if you're unsure which account to use
If you have multiple accounts at the same bank and you're not sure which one to give for a refund or payment, choose the account you use most often or the one you want the money to land in. There's no rule that says refunds must go to checking—they can go to savings just as easily, as long as you provide the correct account number.
Some people set up refunds to go to savings first, then transfer the money to checking once it arrives. Others prefer direct deposit to checking because they access that account more frequently. The choice is yours, and the routing number works the same either way.
If you're setting up a refund through a government website (like the IRS) and you're not sure which account to choose, you can always call the agency's helpline. They can walk you through the form and confirm you've entered the right numbers before you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a different routing number for my savings account?
No. Your bank's routing number is the same for checking, savings, money market, and any other account type you hold there. The account number is what changes between accounts. You use the same routing number for all of them.
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 details. If you have automatic deposits or payments set up, contact your employer or the sending institution to update the routing number. Your old routing number will stop working within a few months.
Can I use the same routing number at a different bank?
No. Each bank has its own routing number. If you move your account to a new bank, you'll receive a new routing number. You must update any direct deposits, automatic payments, or refund information with the new routing number, or the money will go to the old bank.
Is the routing number the same for wire transfers and direct deposit?
Yes. The routing number is the same regardless of how the money is being sent—wire transfer, ACH transfer, direct deposit, or any other method. The account number is also the same. You provide both pieces of information the same way for every type of transfer.
Where do I find the routing number if I bank online only?
Log into your online banking account and look for account details or settings. Most online banks display the routing number there. You can also call their customer service line or check their website's FAQ section. Online banks are required to make this information available, though they may not print it on physical checks since many don't issue them.