Your bank's routing number is the same for both checking and savings accounts
The routing number identifies your bank or credit union, not the type of account you hold. Whether you have a checking account, savings account, or both at the same institution, they all use that bank's single routing number. The routing number stays constant across all account types at that bank.
What changes between your accounts is the account number. Each individual account — checking, savings, money market, or any other type — has its own unique account number. Together, the routing number and account number tell the financial system exactly where your money is and which account to move it to or from.
This matters when you set up direct deposit, arrange wire transfers, or give someone your banking details for a payment. You need both pieces of information to complete the transaction correctly, but the routing number portion is identical no matter which account at that bank you're using.
Key Takeaways
- A bank's routing number applies to all account types at that institution — checking, savings, money market, and others all share the same routing number.
- Each individual account has its own account number, which is what distinguishes one account from another at the same bank.
- When setting up direct deposit or transfers, you provide both the routing number and the specific account number for the account you want the money to reach.
- If you move money between your own checking and savings accounts at the same bank, you use the same routing number but different account numbers for each account.
How routing numbers and account numbers work together
Think of the routing number as your bank's address and the account number as your mailbox number. The routing number gets the payment to the right bank. The account number gets it to the right mailbox inside that bank.
When you receive a direct deposit paycheck, your employer's payroll system uses your routing number to find your bank, then uses your account number to deposit the money into your specific checking or savings account. If you had given them a different account number at the same bank, the money would go to that account instead — but the routing number would be identical.
The same logic applies to ACH transfers (the electronic transfers most people use for bills and peer-to-peer payments), wire transfers, and any other method that moves money between banks. The routing number is always the same for that bank; the account number tells the system which of your accounts to use.
Finding your routing number and account number
Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check from that account. The account number appears next to it, usually in the middle section of the numbers printed at the bottom of the check.
You can also find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or mobile app — most banks display them in the account details or settings section. If you cannot locate them online, call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and the account number for the specific account you need.
Some banks have multiple routing numbers if they operate through different branches or subsidiaries, but this is rare. Most people deal with a single routing number for their entire bank. If you have accounts at different banks, each bank has its own routing number.
What happens if you use the wrong account number
If you provide the correct routing number but the wrong account number, the money will go to someone else's account at that same bank — or the transaction will be rejected if the account number does not exist. This is why it is critical to double-check the account number when you set up direct deposit, arrange a transfer, or give banking details to a third party.
If money does go to the wrong account by mistake, contact your bank immediately. The bank can often reverse the transaction or contact the account holder to return the funds, but the sooner you report it, the better. Do not assume the error will fix itself.
Routing numbers for transfers between your own accounts
If you transfer money between your checking and savings accounts at the same bank, you typically do not need to enter a routing number at all. Most banks' online platforms and mobile apps have a simple "transfer between my accounts" option that only asks for the destination account number.
However, if you are setting up an external transfer through a third-party service or an older banking system, you may need to enter the routing number even though both accounts are at the same bank. In that case, use your bank's routing number for both the sending and receiving account — the account numbers are what distinguish which account is which.
Routing numbers at credit unions
Credit unions work the same way as banks: one routing number for the entire institution, regardless of account type. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same credit union, they share the routing number. Each account still has its own account number.
Credit union routing numbers are sometimes called "transit numbers" in older systems, but they serve the same purpose. You can find your credit union's routing number on your checks, in your online account, or by calling the credit union directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have two savings accounts at the same bank, do they have the same routing number?
Yes. Both savings accounts use your bank's routing number. Each account has its own account number, so the routing number is identical but the account numbers are different. This is how the bank knows which savings account to send money to.
Can I use the same routing number for both my checking and savings accounts?
Yes, you can and should. The routing number is the same for all your accounts at that bank. What matters is that you pair it with the correct account number for whichever account you want the money to go to.
What if my bank has multiple routing numbers?
Some large banks operate multiple routing numbers for different regions or business lines. If you are unsure which one to use, check your checks or contact your bank directly. Using the wrong routing number for your bank may cause delays or failed transactions.
Do I need a different routing number if I move my savings to a different bank?
Yes. Each bank has its own routing number. When you open a savings account at a new bank, you will receive that bank's routing number. You will need to update any direct deposits or automatic transfers to use the new routing number and account number.