The short answer: no, the 0010 is not part of your account number
Your checking account number and your routing number are two separate pieces of information. The routing number identifies your bank or credit union. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. The four digits "0010" that sometimes appear on checks or in banking systems is a check digit or internal bank code, not part of your account number itself.
When you write a check or set up a transfer, you need both pieces — but they serve different purposes and are stored separately in banking systems. Confusing them can cause transfers to fail or deposits to land in the wrong place.
Key Takeaways
- Your account number stands alone and does not include the routing number, check digits, or any four-digit codes that appear on your checks.
- The 0010 or similar codes you see printed on checks are internal bank identifiers or check digits, used by the bank's processing system but not part of your actual account number.
- When you set up direct deposit, wire transfers, or ACH payments, enter only your account number and routing number — nothing else.
- Your bank statement and online banking portal show your true account number; checks may display additional codes that can cause confusion.
Where the 0010 actually comes from
Banks print multiple pieces of information on the bottom of checks using a standardized format called MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). Reading left to right, you typically see: routing number, account number, and check number. But some banks also print additional codes — like "0010" — between or after these main numbers.
These extra codes are internal identifiers. A bank might use them to flag the account type (checking versus savings), indicate a branch location, or serve as a check digit that helps the bank's sorting machines verify the routing and account numbers are correct. The code varies by bank and is not standardized across the industry.
The confusion happens because all these numbers run together on the check in the same small font. A reader naturally assumes everything printed there is part of the account number, but it is not.
How to find your real account number
Your actual account number appears in three reliable places: your bank statement (usually at the top or in the account summary section), your online banking login (displayed in your account details or profile), and your debit card (though not always printed on the front). These sources show only the account number itself, without the routing number or any extra codes.
If you are unsure which digits belong to your account number, call your bank's customer service line or log into your online account. A representative can read your account number to you directly, and you will hear only the digits that matter for transfers and deposits.
What to enter when you set up transfers or direct deposit
Most forms that ask for banking information have two separate fields: one for routing number and one for account number. Fill in only what belongs in each field. Do not include the check number, the 0010, or any other codes you see on your check.
If you copy numbers directly from a check and a transfer fails or goes to the wrong account, the extra digits are usually the culprit. Start over with the numbers from your statement or online banking portal instead.
For direct deposit setup at an employer or government agency, you will typically need to provide a voided check or enter the numbers manually. If you use a voided check, the receiving organization should know to ignore any codes beyond the routing and account numbers — but if something goes wrong, reverting to the statement or online banking version can save time.
Why banks print codes on checks if they are not part of the account number
The banking system relies on automated sorting and reading. When a check moves through the Federal Reserve or a clearing house, machines scan the MICR line at the bottom. The routing number tells the machine which bank to send it to. The account number tells that bank which account to debit. Any additional codes help the bank's internal systems route the check to the right department or flag it for special handling.
From the bank's perspective, these codes are useful. From the customer's perspective, they are noise — extra information that serves the bank's back-end processes but has nothing to do with you as the account holder.
What happens if you accidentally include the 0010 in a transfer
If you enter your account number with the 0010 or other extra digits attached, the receiving bank's system will not recognize it as a valid account number. The transfer will typically be rejected before it leaves your bank, and you will get an error message saying the account number is invalid or the routing and account combination does not match.
In rare cases, if the extra digits happen to match a real account number at the receiving bank, the money could go to the wrong person. This is why banks and payment processors validate the routing and account number combination before processing — it is a safety check to catch these mistakes.
If a transfer fails, do not assume your account information is wrong. Check your bank statement or online portal for the correct account number, remove any extra digits, and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the numbers from my check for online bill pay?
Yes, but only the routing number and account number — the two main numbers at the bottom of the check. Skip any other codes printed there. If your bank's bill pay form asks for a check number, that is different; it is the number printed in the top right corner of the check, not the codes at the bottom.
Does every bank print a 0010 or similar code on checks?
No. Some banks print only the routing number, account number, and check number. Others add internal codes. The format varies by bank, which is why your statement or online banking portal is the safest source for your account number.
What if I already sent money using the wrong account number?
Contact your bank immediately. If the transfer has not yet cleared, your bank may be able to stop it. If it has cleared and went to the wrong account, your bank can file a trace to recover the funds, though this process takes time and is not always successful.
Is the 0010 a security code I should keep private?
No. The 0010 is not a security code and is not secret — it is printed on every check you write. Your account number itself should be kept private, but the extra codes on checks are not sensitive information.