The fastest way: check your checks or online banking
Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom left of every check you have. The routing number is the first nine digits, the account number follows it. If you have checks, you have both numbers in front of you right now.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to dig through a drawer, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section — look for a tab labeled "Account Information," "Account Details," or "Routing Number." Some banks hide it one click deeper under "Transfer Funds" or "Wire Transfer Information" because that is where people most often need it.
Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card if you cannot find it online. Have your account number or card number ready. A representative can read both numbers to you in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom left of your checks in that order.
- Log into your bank's website or app and look for "Account Information" or "Account Details" to find both numbers without a check.
- Your routing number stays the same for your bank; your account number is unique to your specific account.
- Call your bank's customer service line if you cannot locate the numbers online — they can provide them immediately.
Where each number appears and what it means
The routing number identifies your bank or credit union itself. It is the same for every customer at that institution. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, they all share the same routing number. The routing number tells the Federal Reserve and other banks where to send money that is headed to your account.
The account number is unique to you. It identifies your specific account within that bank. Two people at the same bank have different account numbers. When someone sends you money via direct deposit or wire transfer, they need both numbers so the money lands in your account, not someone else's at the same bank.
Some banks print additional information on the check — a branch code, a check number, or a serial number — but only the routing number and account number matter for transfers and deposits.
Finding your routing number if you have moved banks
If you switched banks and no longer have checks from your old account, you can still find the old routing number online. The Federal Reserve maintains a public routing number database at frbservices.org. Enter your old bank's name and state, and the database returns all routing numbers that bank uses.
You might need your old routing number if you are tracking down a deposit that was sent to that account, or if you are trying to close an old account and need to verify which bank it was at. Your current bank cannot retrieve your old account number — that information belongs to the old bank — but you can contact them directly with your name and the approximate date the account was open.
What to do if your bank uses multiple routing numbers
Large banks and credit unions sometimes use different routing numbers for different regions or for different types of transactions. If you see more than one routing number listed on your bank's website, use the one labeled for ACH transfers or direct deposit — that is the one you need for payroll, tax refunds, and most government payments.
If you are wiring money to someone outside the country, your bank may have a separate routing number for international wires. Ask your bank which routing number to use for the specific type of transfer you are making. Using the wrong one will not send your money to the wrong place — the bank will catch it and ask you to clarify — but it can delay the transaction by a day or two.
Protecting your routing and account numbers
Your routing number is public information — it is printed on every check and listed in the Federal Reserve database. You do not need to keep it secret. Your account number, however, should be treated like sensitive information. Do not share it with anyone unless you are setting up a legitimate transfer, direct deposit, or payment.
Scammers sometimes call or email claiming they need your account number to "verify" your account or "process a refund." Real banks and government agencies do not ask for your account number by phone or email. If someone contacts you asking for it, hang up or delete the message and call your bank directly using the number on your card or statement.
Finding your numbers for credit unions and online banks
Credit unions display routing and account numbers the same way traditional banks do — in online banking under account details, or by calling customer service. If you belong to a credit union, your routing number is specific to that credit union, not to the bank it partners with.
Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Chime work the same way. Log into your account, find the account details section, and both numbers are there. Some online banks make it slightly harder to find because they assume most customers will use their app for transfers, but it is always available somewhere in the settings.
Using your numbers for tax refunds and government payments
When you file taxes and request direct deposit of your refund, the IRS asks for your routing number and account number. The same applies to stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, and most other government payments. Enter them exactly as they appear — no dashes, no spaces, no extra digits.
Double-check both numbers before you submit. A single digit wrong will send the money to the wrong account, and it can take weeks to track down and recover. If you are unsure, call your bank and have them read the numbers to you, then type them as the bank says them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank's SWIFT code?
No. Your 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, ask your bank for the SWIFT code, not the routing number. They are different nine-character codes.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. If you know someone's routing number and account number, you can send them money via ACH transfer or direct deposit. The routing number tells your bank where to send it; the account number tells their bank which account to put it in. You do not need their permission to have their routing number.
What if my bank does not show the routing number online?
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. They can provide it immediately. If you cannot reach them by phone, try emailing customer service through your online banking portal — most banks respond within a few hours.
Do I need a new routing number if I move to a different state?
No. Your routing number is tied to your bank, not to your location. If you move and keep the same bank account, your routing number stays the same. If you switch to a different bank, you get a new routing number because you are now at a different bank.
Can I find someone else's account number using their routing number?
No. The routing number only identifies the bank. It does not tell you which account belongs to which person. You would need the person to give you their account number directly, or you would need access to their bank records, which you cannot get.