Yes, savings accounts have routing numbers, but you may not need yours as often as you think
Every savings account at a bank or credit union has a routing number — a nine-digit code that identifies the financial institution. Your bank assigns it to you whether you have a checking account, savings account, money market account, or any other deposit account. The routing number stays the same across all your accounts at that bank.
The confusion comes from how often you actually use it. You need the routing number when someone sends you money electronically — a paycheck via direct deposit, a tax refund, a wire transfer, or a payment from another person's bank account. You do not need it to withdraw your own money, check your balance, or move money between your own accounts at the same bank.
If you have never seen your routing number, it is printed on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have checks, you can find it on your bank's website, in your mobile app, or by calling the bank's customer service line.
Key Takeaways
- Your savings account routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank, and every savings account has one.
- You need the routing number when someone sends you money electronically, such as direct deposit or a wire transfer.
- The routing number is the same for all your accounts at the same bank, whether they are savings, checking, or money market accounts.
- You can find your routing number on a check, your bank's website, your mobile app, or by calling customer service.
- Different branches of the same bank use the same routing number, so location does not change it.
Where to find your savings account routing number
The easiest place to look is the bottom left corner of any check from your account. The routing number is the first set of nine digits, followed by your account number and then the check number on the right.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to dig through your checkbook, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display the routing number in the account details section, sometimes labeled "Bank Information" or "Account Details." Some banks show it right on the dashboard when you log in.
You can also call your bank's customer service number — usually on the back of your debit card or on your monthly statement. Have your account number ready, and they will give you the routing number in seconds.
When you actually need the routing number for a savings account
The most common reason to use your savings account routing number is direct deposit. When you set up payroll with your employer or receive government payments like tax refunds or Social Security, you provide both the routing number and your account number so the money goes to the right place.
You also need it for wire transfers — when you or someone else sends money electronically from one bank to another. If a family member wants to send you money, or if you are paying a bill through a wire transfer, you will give them the routing number along with your account number.
Some bill payment services ask for the routing number when you set up automatic payments from your savings account. This is less common than with checking accounts, but it happens.
You do not need the routing number to transfer money between your own accounts at the same bank, to withdraw cash, to check your balance, or to use your debit card. The bank already knows where your money is.
Routing numbers are the same across all your accounts at one bank
If you have a savings account and a checking account at the same bank, they share the same routing number. The routing number identifies the bank, not the individual account. Your account number is what tells the bank which specific account to put the money into.
This means you only need to remember one routing number per bank. If you switch banks, you get a new routing number, but as long as you stay with the same bank, it does not change even if you open new accounts.
Branch location does not matter either. A Wells Fargo branch in California and a Wells Fargo branch in New York use the same routing number. The routing number is tied to the bank's main processing center, not to individual locations.
Routing numbers versus account numbers
People often confuse routing numbers and account numbers because they appear together on checks and are both needed for electronic transfers. They serve different purposes.
The routing number identifies your bank — it is the same for everyone who banks there. The account number identifies your specific account within that bank — it is unique to you. When you give someone both pieces of information, the routing number tells their bank where to send the money, and the account number tells your bank which account to deposit it into.
Think of it like an address. The routing number is the city and state; the account number is your street address and house number. You need both to get mail to the right place.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have looked on checks, in your online banking, and in your app and still cannot find it, call your bank. This is the fastest way. Have your account number ready — it is usually on your debit card or statement — and the representative will give you the routing number immediately.
You can also visit your bank's website and look for a "Contact Us" page or a section labeled "Routing Number Information." Many banks publish their routing numbers online for this reason.
If you are in a hurry and need the routing number for direct deposit or a wire transfer, do not guess or use a number you find online without confirming it with your bank first. Using the wrong routing number can send your money to the wrong place, and it may take days to recover it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my savings account routing number for direct deposit?
Yes. Direct deposit works with any account type — savings, checking, or money market. Provide your employer or the organization sending the payment with your routing number and account number, and the money will go into your savings account.
Do credit unions have routing numbers for savings accounts?
Yes. Credit unions assign routing numbers to all member accounts, including savings accounts. You can find your credit union's routing number the same way you would at a bank — on a check, in your online account, or by calling member services.
What happens if I give someone the wrong routing number?
The money may be sent to the wrong bank or rejected entirely. If it reaches the wrong bank, it can take several days to trace and recover. Always confirm your routing number with your bank before giving it to someone for a transfer.
Does my routing number change if I move to a different state?
No. Your routing number is tied to your bank, not your location. If you move but keep the same bank account, your routing number stays the same. If you close your account and open one at a different bank, you get a new routing number.
Can I use my savings account routing number for online bill pay?
Some online bill payment services accept savings account routing numbers, but most are set up for checking accounts. Check with your biller or your bank's bill pay service to see whether they accept savings account information.