Where to find your routing number right now
Your bank routing number is printed on the bottom left of every check you have. Look at the first set of nine digits before the account number — that is your routing number. If you do not have checks in front of you, call your bank's customer service line (the number is on your debit card or bank statement) and ask for your routing number. They will give it to you over the phone in under a minute.
You can also log into your online banking account. Most banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section, sometimes labeled "bank routing number," "ABA number," or "transit number." The exact location varies by bank, but it is usually under Account Information or a similar heading.
If you need it right now and cannot access your account, your bank's website often has a routing number lookup tool. Search "[your bank name] routing number" and you will usually find a page where you can enter your city or branch location to get the number.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears as the first nine digits on the bottom left of any check you own.
- Calling your bank's customer service line will give you the number in seconds — the phone number is on your debit card or statement.
- Your online banking account displays the routing number in the account details or settings section.
- Your bank's website usually has a routing number lookup tool if you know your branch location.
- The routing number is specific to your bank and branch, not to you personally — the same number works for all customers at that location.
Why banks use routing numbers
The routing number tells the banking system which bank and which branch to send money to. When you set up direct deposit for a paycheck, transfer money between banks, or receive a wire transfer, the routing number is how the sending bank knows where to direct the funds. Without it, the system would not know which of thousands of bank branches to use.
The routing number is not secret or sensitive the way a password is. You share it freely when you give someone your bank details for direct deposit or automatic payments. It is safe to write it down or store it in your phone.
Routing number versus account number
Do not confuse your routing number with your account number. The routing number identifies your bank and branch. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. On a check, the routing number comes first (nine digits on the far left), and your account number comes second (usually ten to twelve digits in the middle).
When you give someone your banking information, you typically provide both numbers. The routing number tells them which bank, and the account number tells them which account within that bank. Together, they form a complete address for your money.
Routing numbers for different types of accounts
Most people have one routing number for all their accounts at a single bank branch — checking, savings, money market, and others all use the same routing number. However, if your bank has multiple branches in your area, different branches may have different routing numbers. If you moved or opened an account at a different branch, check which routing number belongs to the branch where your account is actually held.
Credit unions use routing numbers the same way banks do, though they are sometimes called "transit numbers." The process for finding your credit union routing number is identical — check your checks, call the credit union, or look it up on their website.
When you need your routing number
You will need your routing number when you set up direct deposit for your paycheck, arrange automatic bill payments, transfer money between banks, or receive a wire transfer. Some employers ask for it when you start a new job. Insurance companies may ask for it if you want a refund deposited directly to your account instead of mailed as a check.
Government agencies use routing numbers for tax refunds, stimulus payments, and other direct deposits. If you are waiting for a refund and want it sent to your bank account instead of by mail, you will need to provide both your routing number and account number.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have closed the account or switched banks and no longer have access to checks or online banking, call the bank directly. Even if you no longer have an active account there, they can usually tell you the routing number for that branch over the phone. Have your former account number ready if you have it, though the bank may be able to look it up by name and address.
If you are trying to find the routing number for a bank you have never used, search "[bank name] routing number [your city]" online. The bank's official website will have a lookup tool or a list of routing numbers by branch. Make sure you are on the official bank website and not a third-party site, since you want the correct number the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for all my accounts at the same bank?
Yes, if all your accounts are at the same branch. The routing number identifies the bank and branch location, not the individual account. All checking, savings, and other accounts at that branch share the same routing number. If you have accounts at different branches of the same bank, they may have different routing numbers.
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my routing number?
No. Your routing number alone is not enough to access your account or move money. A person would need both your routing number and your account number, and even then they would need authorization from you or your bank. Your routing number is not sensitive information — you share it whenever you set up direct deposit or automatic payments.
What if the routing number I found online does not match the one on my check?
Use the number on your check. It is specific to your branch and account. Online lookup tools sometimes show a main routing number for the bank, but your actual branch may have a different one. The check is always the most accurate source.
Do I need my routing number to receive a tax refund?
Only if you want the refund deposited directly into your bank account. If you choose direct deposit on your tax return, you will need to provide both your routing number and account number. If you prefer a mailed check, you do not need the routing number.