Yes, your savings account has a routing number
Every savings account at a bank or credit union has a routing number, also called an ABA routing transit number. It identifies the specific financial institution where your account lives. You need it when you set up direct deposit, transfer money between banks, pay bills electronically, or receive wire transfers.
The routing number is the same for all accounts you hold at that bank — checking, savings, money market, all of them. It does not change based on the account type. What changes is your account number, which is unique to that one account.
If you have savings accounts at two different banks, each bank has its own routing number. If you have a savings account and a checking account at the same bank, they share the routing number but have different account numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Your savings account routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank or credit union, not the account itself.
- The routing number stays the same whether you use your savings account, checking account, or any other account type at that bank.
- You can find your routing number on the bottom left of a check, by calling your bank, through your online banking portal, or on your bank's website.
- You will need both your routing number and your account number together to receive direct deposits, set up bill pay, or transfer money electronically.
Where to find your savings account routing number
The fastest way is to look at a check from your account. The routing number is the first nine digits printed on the bottom left of the check, before your account number. If you do not have checks, you have several other options.
Log into your online banking portal 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. Some banks print it on statements, though not all do.
If you need it right away and cannot reach your bank, you can search the Federal Reserve's routing number database at frbservices.org. Enter your bank name and state, and it will return all routing numbers associated with that institution. Credit unions use the same system — search by credit union name and location.
Routing number versus account number
These two numbers work together but do different jobs. Your routing number tells the banking system which bank to send the money to. Your account number tells that bank which account within the bank to deposit it into.
Think of it like an address and apartment number. The routing number is the street address — it gets the money to the right building. The account number is the apartment number — it gets the money to the right unit inside that building. You need both to move money electronically.
Your account number is usually 10 to 12 digits long and appears on your checks, statements, and in your online banking portal. It is unique to that one account. If you open a second savings account at the same bank, it will have a new account number but the same routing number.
When you need to provide your routing number
You will provide your routing number and account number together in these situations: setting up direct deposit for paychecks or tax refunds, arranging automatic bill payments from your savings account, transferring money from another bank into your savings account, or receiving a wire transfer.
Some employers ask for routing and account number on a form when you start a job. Tax software asks for them when you choose to have your refund deposited directly. Your utility company or insurance company asks for them when you set up automatic payments. In each case, you are giving the other party permission to pull money from your account or deposit money into it.
You do not need to provide your routing number for everyday transactions like swiping a debit card, writing a check, or withdrawing cash at an ATM. You only need it for electronic transfers and deposits.
Routing numbers for online banks and credit unions
Online banks have routing numbers just like brick-and-mortar banks do. If your savings account is at an online bank like Ally, Marcus, or Discover, you can find the routing number the same way — check your online portal, call customer service, or search the Federal Reserve database.
Credit unions also have routing numbers. The process is identical: log into your account online, call the credit union, or search by name and state in the Federal Reserve database. Some credit unions print the routing number on member cards or statements.
The routing number does not change if you move or if the bank merges with another institution, though in rare cases a merger can result in a new routing number for the combined entity. Your bank will notify you if this happens and provide the new number.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
Call your bank or credit union directly — this is the most reliable method. Have your account number ready and ask for the routing number. Customer service can provide it in seconds. The phone number is usually on your debit card, your statements, or your bank's website.
If you are setting up direct deposit and need the number immediately, ask your employer or the organization sending the deposit (like the IRS for a tax refund) if they can look it up for you. Many payroll systems and tax software have built-in routing number databases that can search by bank name.
Do not share your routing number with anyone you do not trust. While the routing number alone cannot be used to withdraw money from your account, it combined with your account number can. Only provide both numbers to organizations you initiated contact with or that you know are legitimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone withdraw money from my account if they have my routing number?
No, not with the routing number alone. They would need both your routing number and your account number. Even with both, they would need authorization from you or a court order. If you suspect unauthorized activity, contact your bank immediately.
Is the routing number the same for all branches of my bank?
Yes. The routing number identifies the bank itself, not a specific branch. All branches of Bank of America, for example, share the same routing number. The branch location does not matter for electronic transfers.
Do I need a different routing number for my savings account than my checking account?
No. Both accounts at the same bank use the same routing number. Only the account number changes between the two accounts.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
In most mergers, the routing number stays the same. Your bank will notify you if it changes and provide the new number. You can also search the Federal Reserve database to confirm the current routing number for your bank.
Can I find someone else's routing number?
Yes, the routing number is public information. You can search the Federal Reserve database by bank name and state. However, you would still need their account number to transfer money to them, and they must authorize the transfer.