The account number is the second set of digits on the bottom left of your check
Your checking account number appears on the bottom of every check you write. It sits between two other numbers: the routing number on the far left, and the check number on the far right. The account number is typically 10 to 12 digits long, though the exact length varies by bank.
The bottom of a check is printed in a special magnetic ink that machines can read. The three numbers are always in the same order: routing number, account number, check number. If you look at the bottom left corner and see three groups of digits separated by colons or special symbols, the middle group is your account number.
You need this number when you set up direct deposit, arrange automatic bill payments, or give someone permission to withdraw money from your account. Banks also ask for it when you call customer service to verify your identity.
Key Takeaways
- Your account number is the middle set of digits on the bottom of your check, between the routing number and the check number.
- Account numbers are typically 10 to 12 digits long, but the length varies by bank and account type.
- The three numbers on the bottom of a check always appear in the same order: routing number, account number, check number.
- You can also find your account number on your bank statement, in your online banking portal, or by calling your bank.
How to read the numbers at the bottom of a check
The bottom of a check contains three distinct groups of numbers printed in a special machine-readable format. From left to right, they are: the nine-digit routing number, your account number, and the check number. Each group is separated by a colon or a special symbol that looks like a bracket.
The routing number identifies your bank or credit union. The account number identifies your specific checking account within that bank. The check number is simply a sequential identifier for that individual check — it helps you track which check you wrote and when.
Not all checks display the numbers in the same visual way. Some banks print them in a single line; others stack them. Some use colons as separators; others use special symbols. But the order is always the same. If you see three groups of numbers at the bottom of your check, count from the left: the first group is routing, the second is account, the third is check.
Where else to find your account number if you don't have a check
If you don't have a physical check in front of you, your account number appears in several other places. Your bank statement — whether you receive it by mail or view it online — shows your account number at the top or in the account information section. Most statements print it clearly so you can reference it without opening a check.
Your online banking portal also displays your account number. Log in to your bank's website or mobile app, navigate to your account details or account settings, and you will see it listed. Some banks show it on the main dashboard; others require you to click into account information or account summary.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to provide your account number. They will verify your identity first — usually by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions — before reading it to you over the phone.
Why banks print account numbers on checks
Checks are designed to work with both people and machines. When you write a check and send it to someone, that person deposits it at their bank. Their bank's machine reads the numbers at the bottom to figure out which bank to pull the money from (routing number) and which account within that bank (account number). Without these printed numbers, the check-clearing system would not work.
The magnetic ink used to print these numbers is readable by optical scanning machines, which is why the format and placement are standardized across all U.S. banks. This standardization has been in place for decades and allows checks to move through the banking system automatically, without a person having to type in the numbers by hand.
What to do if you cannot read the numbers on your check
If the numbers at the bottom of your check are faded, smudged, or damaged, do not try to guess or estimate. Contact your bank directly and ask them to provide your account number and routing number. They can confirm both numbers in seconds and you will have the correct information.
If you are trying to read a check that someone else wrote to you, you do not need the account number. You only need the routing number and account number if you are the one writing the check or if you are setting up a transaction that pulls money from that account. If you received a check as payment, your bank will handle reading those numbers when you deposit it.
Keeping your account number secure
Your account number is not secret in the same way your PIN or password is. It appears on every check you write, and anyone who receives a check from you will see it. However, you should still be cautious about sharing it unnecessarily.
Never share your account number with someone you do not trust or with a business you cannot verify. Scammers sometimes call or email claiming to be from your bank and ask for your account number as part of a "verification" process. Your real bank already has your account number — they do not need you to provide it. If someone calls asking for it, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your statement or card.
Account numbers on different types of checks
Personal checks, business checks, and cashier's checks all display account numbers in the same location and format at the bottom. The account number belongs to whoever owns the account, so a business check shows the business account number, and a personal check shows your personal account number.
If you have multiple accounts at the same bank — for example, a checking account and a savings account — each one has its own account number. Checks are only printed for checking accounts, so the account number on your checks corresponds only to that checking account. If you need the account number for your savings account, you will find it on your savings account statement or in your online banking portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the account number the same as the check number?
No. The check number is the third set of digits on the bottom right of your check. It is a sequential number that identifies that specific check. Your account number is the middle set of digits and stays the same on every check you write from that account.
Can someone use my account number to steal money from my account?
Your account number alone is not enough to withdraw money. A person would also need your routing number, and even then, they would typically need additional verification like your PIN, password, or signature. However, you should still avoid sharing your account number with people you do not trust.
What if the numbers at the bottom of my check do not match what my bank told me?
Contact your bank immediately. There may be a printing error on your checks, or the checks may have been printed for the wrong account. Your bank can reorder checks with the correct numbers or investigate whether there is a problem with your account.
Do I need my account number to deposit a check?
No. When you deposit a check, you only need to endorse the back of it with your signature. The bank reads the account number from the bottom of the check automatically. You do not need to write it down or provide it separately.
Where is the account number on a mobile check deposit?
When you deposit a check using your bank's mobile app, you take photos of the front and back of the check. The bank's system reads the account number from the bottom of the check automatically — you do not need to type it in or locate it yourself.