Your check has one account number, printed in a specific location
A check displays one account number—the number of the bank account the check is drawn from. It appears in the bottom left section of the check, after the routing number and before the check number. This is the account at your bank or credit union where the money will be pulled from when someone deposits or cashes the check.
The account number is typically 10 to 12 digits long, though the exact length varies by bank. It identifies your specific account within the bank identified by the routing number. When you write a check, both numbers work together: the routing number directs the check to the right bank, and the account number directs it to the right account within that bank.
Some checks also print your account number in the upper right corner for your own reference, but this is a duplicate of the same number—not a separate account number. The official version used for processing is always the one in the MICR line at the bottom.
Key Takeaways
- A check contains one account number, located in the bottom left of the check in the MICR line (the numbers printed in special magnetic ink).
- The account number is typically 10 to 12 digits and identifies which account at your bank the check draws from.
- If your account number appears twice on a check, both instances refer to the same account—one is for processing and one is for your reference.
- The account number works alongside the routing number; together they tell the banking system where to pull the money from.
Where the account number sits on the check
The account number occupies the middle position in the MICR line—the row of numbers printed in magnetic ink at the very bottom of the check. Reading left to right, you see the routing number first, then the account number, then the check number. This order is standardized across all U.S. checks.
The MICR line is what check-processing machines read, so the position and format matter. If you are looking at a check and need to find your account number quickly, skip the printed numbers elsewhere on the check and go straight to the bottom left. The account number in the MICR line is the one that actually processes the payment.
Why banks print the account number in two places
Many banks print your account number twice on a check for convenience. The MICR line at the bottom contains the official version used for processing. Some banks also print it in the upper right corner or along the top edge so you can see it without hunting through the MICR line.
This duplication is purely for your benefit as the check writer. When you need to reference your account number on a check you have written, either location will give you the correct number. The processing system only reads the MICR line, so the second printing does not create a second account number or change how the check is processed.
How to read your account number from a check
Look at the bottom left of the check where the MICR line begins. You will see a series of numbers. The first set (usually nine digits) is the routing number. Immediately after that comes your account number. Count the digits: most account numbers are 10 to 12 digits, though some banks use fewer or more.
If the numbers are hard to read because of wear or fading, contact your bank directly. They can tell you your account number over the phone or through your online banking portal. Never share your account number with anyone except your bank or someone you are paying intentionally (like an employer for direct deposit setup).
Account numbers on checks you receive versus checks you write
When someone writes you a check, that check displays their account number, not yours. Their account number tells the bank where to pull the money from when you deposit the check. You do not need to do anything with their account number—the bank handles the routing automatically.
When you write a check, your account number is what appears on it. The person receiving the check does not need your account number to deposit it; the routing number and account number are read by machines during processing. If someone asks you for your account number to cash a check you wrote them, that is unusual and a sign to verify the request through your bank first.
What happens if your account number is wrong on a check
If a check has an incorrect account number, the check will either bounce or be returned to the person who wrote it. The banking system will not be able to match the account number to an account at that bank, so the transaction cannot complete. The check writer will then need to issue a new check with the correct account number.
If you suspect a check you wrote has an error, contact your bank immediately. They can tell you whether the check has been processed and, if not, may be able to stop payment on it. If the check has already cleared, you cannot undo it through the bank—you would need to contact the recipient and arrange a correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone use my account number from a check to steal money?
Your account number alone is not enough to withdraw money from your account. A thief would also need your routing number and typically additional verification. However, sharing your account number with unknown people is still risky. Only provide it to your employer, your bank, or organizations you trust for legitimate purposes like direct deposit or bill payments.
Why do some checks show different account numbers?
If you see two different numbers on a check, one is likely your account number and the other is the check number (a sequential identifier for that specific check). The check number is usually in the upper right corner or bottom right. If you see two numbers that look identical, they are the same account number printed in two locations for convenience.
What if I cannot read the account number on my check?
Call your bank's customer service line or log into your online banking account—both will display your account number clearly. You can also ask for a new checkbook, which will have the correct account number printed on every check. Do not guess or estimate the account number, as an error will cause the check to fail.
Is the account number the same on all my checks?
Yes. Every check from the same account will have the same account number printed on it. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each account will have its own unique account number, and checks from each account will display the corresponding number. The account number does not change unless you close the account and open a new one.