Yes, your savings account has a routing number
Every savings account at a bank or credit union has a routing number. It is a nine-digit code that identifies the financial institution where your account lives. You need it whenever money moves into or out of your account through the banking system — direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH payments, bill pay, or transfers between banks.
The routing number is not optional or something you request. It exists the moment your account opens. Your bank assigns it based on where the account is held, not on the account type. A savings account, checking account, and money market account at the same bank all share the same routing number.
The routing number is different from your account number, which is unique to your individual account. Together, they form the pair that tells the banking system exactly where to send or pull money.
Key Takeaways
- Your savings account routing number is a nine-digit code assigned by your bank or credit union and does not change.
- All accounts at the same bank branch typically share one routing number, even if you have multiple accounts there.
- You can find your routing number on the bottom left of your checks, in your online banking portal, or by calling your bank.
- The routing number identifies the bank; your account number identifies your specific account — you need both for transfers.
- Routing numbers are public information and safe to share for legitimate transfers and deposits.
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 first nine digits printed there are your routing number. If you do not have checks or prefer not to use them, you have other options.
Log into your online banking portal or mobile app. Most banks display the routing number in the account details section, often labeled "Routing Number," "Bank Routing Number," or "Transit Number." Some banks hide it under a tab called "Account Information" or "Transfer Details."
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Have your account number ready. The representative can give you the routing number in seconds.
You can also search online using your bank's name and the phrase "routing number." The American Bankers Association maintains a public database, and most banks publish theirs on their websites. Make sure you are looking at the routing number for the specific branch or location where your account is held, since some large banks have multiple routing numbers.
Routing numbers for different types of savings accounts
Whether your account is a traditional savings account, a high-yield savings account, a money market account, or a certificate of deposit (CD), the routing number stays the same. The routing number belongs to the bank, not to the account type.
If you have multiple savings accounts at the same bank — say, one for emergencies and one for a vacation fund — they share the routing number. The account number is what distinguishes them.
If you move money between two accounts at the same bank, you usually do not need the routing number at all. Internal transfers within the same bank use only your account numbers. You need the routing number when the money is going to a different bank or credit union.
When you need to provide your routing number
You will need your routing number when setting up direct deposit from your employer or government payments like tax refunds or Social Security. The payroll or payment system uses it to route the money to the correct bank.
If you are paying bills online through your bank's bill pay service, you may need to enter the routing number of the company or person receiving the payment — not your own. Your bank already knows your routing number.
When you transfer money from another bank into your savings account, the sending bank will ask for your routing number and account number. The same applies if you are setting up an automatic transfer from a brokerage account or another financial institution.
Wire transfers require both your routing number and account number. Some wire services also ask for a SWIFT code if the money is going internationally, but domestic wires use the routing number.
Routing numbers for credit unions and online banks
Credit unions have routing numbers just like traditional banks. If your savings account is at a credit union, the routing number works the same way. You can find it through the same methods — checks, online banking, or a phone call to the credit union.
Online banks and online-only savings accounts also have routing numbers. They may not issue checks, so you will need to look it up in your online account portal or on their website. Online banks are often clearer about displaying this information because they know customers cannot walk into a branch to ask.
Some online banks are subsidiaries of larger banks and may share a routing number with the parent company. Others have their own. Check your account details to be sure.
Is it safe to share your routing number
Your routing number is public information. It is printed on your checks for anyone to see, and banks publish it on their websites. Sharing it is safe for legitimate purposes like setting up direct deposit or receiving a wire transfer.
However, never share your routing number along with your account number to someone you do not trust. Together, these two pieces of information can be used to pull money from your account through an ACH transfer. If someone asks for both, verify that they are who they claim to be before providing them.
If you suspect someone has misused your routing number and account number, contact your bank immediately. Banks can reverse unauthorized ACH transfers under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, though you usually have to report the problem within a specific window — often 60 days.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number when setting up a transfer or direct deposit, the money may go to the wrong bank or be rejected entirely. The sending institution will try to match the routing number to a real bank. If it does not exist, the transfer usually fails and the money bounces back.
If the routing number is real but belongs to a different bank, the money may arrive at that bank. It will then sit in a suspense account because the receiving bank cannot match it to an account. The sending bank will eventually retrieve it, but this can take days or weeks.
To avoid this, double-check the routing number before confirming any transfer. Copy it directly from your bank's website or account details rather than typing it from memory. If a transfer goes to the wrong place, contact your bank right away so they can attempt to recover it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a savings account have more than one routing number?
No. Your savings account has one routing number, assigned by your bank. If your bank has multiple branches, they may share one routing number or have separate ones depending on the bank's structure. You can check your specific account's routing number in your online banking portal.
Do I need a routing number to transfer money between my own accounts at the same bank?
No. Internal transfers between your own accounts at the same bank use only your account numbers. You need the routing number only when money is moving to a different bank or credit union.
What is the difference between a routing number and a SWIFT code?
A routing number is used for domestic transfers within the United States. A SWIFT code is used for international wire transfers. If you are sending money abroad, you will need the SWIFT code. For transfers within the U.S., the routing number is what you need.
If I close my savings account, does the routing number change?
The routing number belongs to the bank, not to your account. If you close your savings account and open a new one at the same bank, the new account will have the same routing number. The routing number only changes if you move to a different bank.
Can I find my routing number on my bank statement?
Some banks print the routing number on statements, but not all. If it is not there, check the bottom left of a check, your online banking portal, or call your bank. The online portal is usually the fastest option.