Most banks use one routing number for both accounts

Your bank's routing number is the same whether you have a checking account, savings account, or both. The 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 an ACH payment, you give the routing number plus your specific account number — the account number is what tells the bank which of your accounts to use.

This applies to nearly all traditional banks and credit unions. Whether you're moving money into checking or savings, the routing number stays constant. The account number changes from account to account, but the routing number does not.

Key Takeaways

  • A bank routing number identifies the financial institution, not the account type, so checking and savings accounts at the same bank share one routing number.
  • You need both the routing number and the account number to direct money to a specific account; the routing number alone is not enough.
  • If you have multiple accounts at different banks, each bank has its own routing number, but all your accounts at one bank use that bank's single routing number.
  • Credit unions also use one routing number per institution, regardless of how many accounts you hold there.

Why the routing number is the same across account types

The routing number is a nine-digit code assigned by the Federal Reserve to each bank and credit union. It functions as a postal address for your financial institution — it tells the payment system where to send the money. Think of it like the address on an envelope: it gets the letter to your house, but the apartment number inside tells the mail carrier which unit.

The account number is what specifies which account at that bank receives the deposit. So when you provide both pieces of information together, the payment system knows exactly where to send your money. The routing number never changes based on account type because it is not about your account — it is about your bank.

How to find your routing number

Your bank's routing number appears in several places. The easiest is usually your checkbook: the routing number is the first set of nine digits at the bottom left of any check. 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 and ask for the routing number. If you know your bank's name, you can search online for "[Bank Name] routing number" and find it on the bank's official website. Make sure you are looking at the routing number for your state or region, because some large banks have different routing numbers for different areas.

What happens if you use the wrong routing number

If you provide an incorrect routing number, the payment will likely be rejected or sent to the wrong bank. The sending bank's system will try to match the routing number to a financial institution, and if it does not find a match, the transfer fails and the money bounces back to the sender within one to three business days.

If the routing number you provide belongs to a real bank but is not your bank, the receiving bank will eventually reject the payment because the account number does not exist in their system. This also sends the money back, though it may take longer — sometimes a week or more. Always double-check the routing number before you submit a transfer or set up direct deposit.

Routing numbers for online banks and credit unions

Online banks operate the same way as brick-and-mortar banks: they have one routing number for all account types. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and others assign a single routing number to their institution, and you use that number for both checking and savings transfers. The routing number does not change based on where you access your account or what type of account it is.

Credit unions also follow this pattern. Whether you are a member of a local credit union or a national one, the credit union has one routing number. All your accounts there — checking, savings, money market, or otherwise — use that same routing number. If you are unsure of your credit union's routing number, check your member materials or call the credit union directly.

When you might need different routing numbers

You only need a different routing number if you have accounts at different banks or credit unions. For example, if you have a checking account at Bank A and a savings account at Bank B, those two institutions have different routing numbers. In that case, you would use Bank A's routing number to direct money to your checking account there, and Bank B's routing number to direct money to your savings account there.

Some people maintain accounts at multiple institutions for different reasons — higher interest rates on savings, better checking features, or simply preference. Each institution has its own routing number, so keep track of which routing number belongs to which bank if you are moving money between them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same routing number for wire transfers and ACH transfers?

Yes. The routing number works for both wire transfers and ACH transfers, as well as direct deposit and other payment methods. The routing number is universal across all payment types at your bank. The account number is what stays the same too.

If I close my savings account, does my checking account routing number change?

No. Closing one account does not change the routing number for your other accounts at the same bank. The routing number belongs to the bank, not to individual accounts. Your checking account routing number remains the same.

Do I need to update my routing number if my bank merges with another bank?

Sometimes. When two banks merge, the surviving bank may keep its own routing number or assign a new one to all customers. Your bank will notify you if the routing number changes. Check your bank's website or call customer service to confirm the new routing number if a merger occurs.

What if my bank has multiple routing numbers listed online?

Large banks sometimes have different routing numbers for different regions or for different types of transactions. Check your bank's website for the routing number that matches your state or branch location. When in doubt, call your bank and provide your account details so they can give you the correct routing number.