Your routing number is in the bottom left corner, your account number is in the bottom center, and both are printed in magnetic ink you can feel with your fingernail
A check has three numbers printed along the bottom in a special magnetic ink. From left to right: the routing number (nine digits), the account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), and the check number (three to four digits). The routing number identifies your bank. The account number identifies your specific account at that bank. You need both to set up direct deposit, authorize electronic payments, or receive wire transfers.
The numbers are always in the same place on every check from your account, printed in a typeface designed to be read by machines. You can feel them slightly raised under your fingertip because they are printed in magnetic ink, not regular ink.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number (nine digits) sits in the bottom left corner and identifies your specific bank or credit union branch.
- The account number (10 to 12 digits) sits in the bottom center and identifies your account within that bank.
- Both numbers are printed in magnetic ink that feels slightly raised when you run your finger across it.
- If you cannot read the numbers on your check, call your bank's customer service line or log into your online banking account to find both numbers.
How to read the three numbers at the bottom of a check
Look at the bottom edge of any check from your account. You will see three separate groups of numbers printed in a special typeface. The leftmost group is always nine digits — that is your routing number. The middle group is your account number, which varies in length by bank but is usually between 10 and 12 digits. The rightmost group is the check number, which is typically three or four digits and also appears in the top right corner of the check.
The order never changes, and the numbers never move around on the check. Every check you order from the same account will have the same routing and account numbers in the same positions. Only the check number changes from one check to the next.
What your routing number tells you
Your routing number is a nine-digit code assigned by the Federal Reserve to your bank or credit union. It identifies not just the bank itself, but often the specific branch where your account was opened. If you have accounts at two different branches of the same bank, they may have different routing numbers.
The routing number is what the banking system uses to direct money to the right institution when you receive a wire transfer, direct deposit, or automatic payment. If someone sends you money electronically and you give them the wrong routing number, the money goes to the wrong bank and the transfer has to be reversed and resent.
What your account number tells you
Your account number is unique to your account at your bank. No other account at your bank has this number, and no other bank uses this number for any account. Once your bank receives a transfer with the correct routing number, it uses the account number to deposit the money into the right account.
Your account number is the same whether you are receiving a direct deposit, authorizing an automatic bill payment, or setting up a wire transfer. It never changes as long as the account remains open. If you close the account and open a new one, you get a new account number.
Finding the numbers if your check is damaged or hard to read
If the numbers on your check are faded, smudged, or worn away, do not guess. Call your bank's customer service number, which is usually printed on the back of your check or on your bank statement. Have your account number or debit card ready, and tell them you need your routing number and account number. They can verify your identity and give you both numbers over the phone in less than a minute.
You can also log into your online banking account if your bank offers one. Most banks display your routing number and account number in the account details or settings section. Some banks show this information on the main dashboard. If you cannot find it online, the customer service phone line is the fastest route.
Routing numbers vary by bank and sometimes by branch
Different banks have different routing numbers. If you have accounts at two different banks, each account will have a different routing number. Even within the same bank, different branches sometimes have different routing numbers, though many large banks use a single routing number for all branches nationwide.
If you move your account to a different branch of the same bank, your routing number may or may not change depending on how the bank handles transfers. If you switch to a completely different bank, your routing number will definitely change. Your account number may also change if the new bank assigns you a new account rather than transferring the old one.
Why you need both numbers and where to use them
You need both the routing number and account number together for any electronic money movement. Direct deposit from your employer requires both. Setting up automatic bill payments requires both. Receiving a wire transfer requires both. Sending money to someone else's account requires both their routing and account numbers.
The routing number alone is not enough because it only tells the banking system which bank to use. The account number alone is not enough because the bank would not know which account to put the money into. Together, they form a complete address for your account in the banking system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to give someone my routing and account number?
Yes, it is safe to share your routing and account number with people and organizations you trust to receive money or make authorized payments. Your employer needs both to set up direct deposit. Your utility company needs both to set up automatic bill pay. However, do not share these numbers with anyone you do not know or trust, because they could attempt unauthorized withdrawals from your account.
Can someone withdraw money from my account if they have my routing and account number?
They can attempt to, but your bank has fraud protections in place. If someone tries to withdraw money without your permission, you can dispute the transaction and your bank will investigate. Report any unauthorized withdrawals to your bank immediately. You are generally not liable for fraudulent transactions if you report them promptly.
What if I give the wrong routing number for a direct deposit or wire transfer?
The money will go to the wrong bank or wrong account. The sending bank or employer will eventually discover the error and reverse the transaction, but this can take several days or weeks. Once reversed, the money will be resent to the correct routing number. Always double-check both numbers before authorizing any transfer.
Do I need to memorize my routing and account number?
No. Write them down and keep them in a safe place, or store them in your phone's notes app or password manager. You will need to look them up each time you set up a new direct deposit or automatic payment, so having them written down saves time. Do not leave them lying around where others can see them.
Are the routing and account numbers the same on every check from my account?
Yes. Every check you order from the same account will have the same routing number and account number printed at the bottom. Only the check number changes. If you order new checks, they will have the same routing and account numbers as your old checks.