The fastest way to find your routing number
Your bank's routing number is printed on the bottom left of every check you have from that bank. Look at the first set of nine digits on the bottom of the check — 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 the routing number. They will give it to you over the phone in under a minute.
If you need it right now and cannot reach your bank by phone, your bank's website almost always lists the routing number on the page where you log in or on a page labeled "Wire Transfer Information" or "ACH Transfer Details". Some banks also print it on your debit card statement or in your online banking portal under account information.
The routing number is specific to the branch or region where you opened your account, so if you have moved or switched branches, confirm you have the correct one for your current account. A wrong routing number will send money to the wrong bank or delay a transfer by several days.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number is the first nine digits on the bottom left of any check from your account.
- Your bank's customer service line can tell you the routing number in one call, and the number is on your debit card or statement.
- Most bank websites list the routing number under account information or wire transfer details.
- Routing numbers are specific to your branch or region, so confirm you have the right one if you have moved or changed branches.
- A wrong routing number delays transfers or sends money to the wrong bank, so double-check before you submit it.
Finding the routing number on your checks
Open your checkbook and look at the bottom of any check. You will see three sets of numbers printed in magnetic ink. The first set on the left, always nine digits long, is your routing number. The middle set is your account number. The third set on the right is the check number.
This method works only if you have checks from your current account. If your bank stopped issuing checks or you have not ordered them yet, move to one of the other methods below. The routing number printed on checks never changes unless you switch banks, so an old check from years ago will have the same routing number as a new one.
Calling your bank directly
Pick up the phone and call the customer service number on the back of your debit card, on a recent bank statement, or on your bank's website. Tell the representative you need your routing number. They will ask you to verify your identity (usually your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number) and then give you the number.
This method takes about five minutes total and works during business hours. If you call outside business hours, most banks have an automated system that can provide routing information, or you can leave a message and a representative will call you back the next business day. Have a pen and paper ready so you can write down the number correctly.
Checking your bank's website
Log into your online banking account and look for a section labeled "Account Information," "Account Details," or "Wire Transfer Information." Many banks display the routing number prominently on the dashboard after you log in. If you do not see it there, try the settings or help section — search the page for the word "routing."
If you do not have online banking set up yet, go to your bank's main website and look for a page about wire transfers, ACH transfers, or direct deposit. Banks often list routing numbers on these pages so customers can set up payroll or bill payments. You may also find a search tool where you can enter your branch location and get the routing number for that specific branch.
Using the Federal Reserve's routing number database
The Federal Reserve maintains a public database of all routing numbers used by banks in the United States. Go to frbservices.org and click on "Fedwire Directory" or search for "routing number lookup." Enter your bank's name and state, and the database will return all routing numbers associated with that bank.
This method is useful if you have moved, switched branches, or are unsure which routing number belongs to your account. The database shows which routing number serves which region or branch, so you can find the one that matches your location. This is a free public tool and does not require you to log in or provide personal information.
What to do if you have multiple accounts at the same bank
If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they share the same routing number. The routing number is tied to the bank and branch, not to the individual account. Your account number is what distinguishes one account from another.
However, if you have accounts at different branches of the same bank (for example, one at the downtown branch and one at the airport branch), they may have different routing numbers. Call your bank or check your statements to confirm. When you set up a transfer or direct deposit, use the routing number that matches the branch where you opened that specific account.
Confirming you have the right routing number
Before you use a routing number for a wire transfer, ACH transfer, or direct deposit, double-check it against at least two sources. Compare the number on your check against the number on your bank's website or the number the customer service representative gave you. A single digit wrong will send money to the wrong destination or cause the transfer to fail.
If you are setting up direct deposit for payroll, ask your employer's payroll department to confirm the routing number is correct before they process the first payment. If you are sending a wire transfer, call your bank after you submit it to verify the routing number was entered correctly. These steps take two minutes and can prevent money from going to the wrong place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number the same for all branches of my bank?
No. Large banks have different routing numbers for different regions or branches. If you have moved or opened an account at a different branch, confirm you have the routing number for the branch where your current account is held. Your bank's website or a phone call to customer service will tell you which routing number belongs to your account.
Can I find my routing number on my debit card?
Not usually. Most debit cards do not print the routing number on the card itself. Your best options are a check from your account, your bank's website, or a call to customer service. Some bank statements do print the routing number, so check a recent statement if you have one.
What happens if I use the wrong routing number?
The transfer may be sent to the wrong bank or rejected entirely. If the routing number belongs to a real bank but not yours, the money may end up in someone else's account and take days to recover. Always verify the routing number against two sources before you submit a transfer or set up direct deposit.
Do I need a routing number to transfer money between my own accounts?
Not always. If both accounts are at the same bank, you can usually transfer money through your online banking portal without entering a routing number. If the accounts are at different banks, you will need the routing number of the bank where the receiving account is held.
Can I look up someone else's routing number?
Yes, if you know their bank name and branch location. You can use the Federal Reserve's Fedwire Directory or ask them directly. Routing numbers are not secret — they are public information printed on checks and listed on bank websites. However, you still need the person's account number to send them money, and that is not public.