Yes, your savings account has a routing number
Your savings account has a routing number, and it is the same routing number as your checking account at the same bank. The routing number belongs to the bank itself, not to individual accounts. Every account you hold at that bank — whether savings, checking, money market, or certificate of deposit — uses that one routing number.
The routing number identifies which bank holds your money and which branch processes transfers. When someone sends you money via direct deposit, ACH transfer, or wire, they use your routing number plus your account number to reach the right account at the right bank. Without the routing number, the transfer cannot find its destination.
If you have accounts at multiple banks, each bank has its own routing number. A savings account at Bank A and a checking account at Bank B will have two different routing numbers, even though they belong to the same person.
Key Takeaways
- Your savings account routing number is the same as any other account you hold at that bank.
- The routing number identifies the bank and branch, not the individual account.
- You can find your routing number on the bottom left of a check, on your bank's website, or by calling customer service.
- Direct deposits, ACH transfers, and wire transfers all require both your routing number and your account number to work.
- If you switch banks, your new savings account will have a different routing number.
Where to find your savings account routing number
The fastest place to look is your bank's website. Log in to your online account, go to account details or account information, and the routing number is usually listed there alongside your account number. Most banks display it clearly because they know customers need it often.
If you have a checkbook, look at the bottom left corner of any check. The first set of nine digits is your routing number. The second set of digits is your account number. This works for any bank that issues checks, though some online banks do not print checks.
Call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or on the bank's website. A representative can tell you your routing number in under a minute. Have your account number or Social Security number ready so they can pull up your account.
Your bank's routing number is also public information. You can search for it on the Federal Reserve's routing number database at frbservices.org if you know your bank's name and state, though this is slower than the methods above.
Routing number versus account number
These two numbers work together but do different jobs. Your routing number tells the banking system which bank to send money to. Your account number tells that bank which specific account within the bank should receive the money. You need both for any transfer to work.
The routing number is the same for everyone at your bank. If you and a friend both bank at the same branch of the same bank, you share the same routing number. Your account numbers are different because they identify your individual accounts.
When you set up direct deposit for a paycheck or tax refund, you provide both numbers. The employer or government agency uses the routing number to find your bank, then uses the account number to deposit the money into your specific account, not someone else's.
What happens if you give the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the transfer usually bounces back to the sender within one to three business days. The money does not reach your account, and the sender gets a notification that the routing number was invalid. You then have to provide the correct number and ask them to try again.
In rare cases, a wrong routing number might send money to a different bank entirely. If this happens, that bank will reject the transfer because the account number does not match any account in their system. The money returns to the sender, who can then resend it with the correct information.
The safest approach is to copy your routing number directly from your bank's website or a check rather than typing it from memory. A single digit wrong can cause the transfer to fail.
Routing numbers for online banks and credit unions
Online banks have routing numbers just like brick-and-mortar banks. Banks such as Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover all have routing numbers you can find on their websites. The process is the same: log in, find account details, and look for the routing number listed there.
Credit unions also have routing numbers. If your savings account is at a credit union, you can find the routing number on your credit union's website, on any checks they issued, or by calling their member services line. Credit unions use the same routing number system as banks.
Some online banks do not issue checks, which means you cannot find the routing number on a check. In those cases, the website is your best source. If the website does not display it clearly, call customer service and ask for the routing number for ACH transfers or direct deposit.
Using your routing number safely
Your routing number is safe to share. It is public information — anyone can look it up if they know your bank's name. You need to give it to employers, government agencies, and people sending you money. There is no security risk in sharing it.
Your account number, by contrast, should be treated more carefully. Combined with your routing number, it identifies your specific account. Do not write it on a check you mail to someone you do not trust, and do not share it in emails or texts unless you initiated the contact.
If you are concerned about a transfer, verify the recipient's identity before providing either number. Scammers sometimes pose as employers or government agencies to collect banking information. If someone asks for your routing and account number unexpectedly, contact your bank directly using the phone number on your debit card before you respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my savings account routing number for a direct deposit?
Yes. Direct deposits work with savings accounts the same way they work with checking accounts. Provide your employer or the government agency with your savings account routing number and account number, and the deposit will go into your savings account instead of checking.
Do I need a different routing number for wire transfers?
No. The same routing number works for wire transfers, ACH transfers, and direct deposits. Some banks list a separate "wire routing number" on their website, but most of the time it is identical to the standard routing number. If you are unsure, ask your bank before you send a wire.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may change after a merger. Contact your bank to confirm whether your routing number is still the same. If it changed, update any recurring direct deposits or automatic transfers with the new number to prevent them from failing.
Can I find someone else's routing number if I know their bank?
Yes, routing numbers are public. You can search the Federal Reserve database if you know the bank name and state. However, you cannot find someone's account number this way — that information is private to the account holder.
Is the routing number the same for all branches of my bank?
Usually yes. Most banks use one routing number for the entire institution, regardless of how many branches they have. Some very large banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions, but this is uncommon. Check your bank's website to be certain.