A routing number is a nine-digit code that tells banks where to send or receive money
Every bank and credit union in the United States has a routing number, also called a routing transit number or ABA number. When you send money to someone else's account—whether through direct deposit, a wire transfer, or an automatic payment—the routing number tells the sending bank which institution holds the receiving account. Without it, the money has no address.
The routing number is not secret and not unique to you. It belongs to the bank or credit union itself. If you and your neighbor both bank at the same institution, you share the same routing number. What makes your account unique is the combination of the routing number plus your account number.
You will need your routing number whenever you set up direct deposit (for paychecks, tax refunds, or government payments), arrange automatic bill payments, or send a wire transfer. It is also required if someone outside your bank needs to deposit money directly into your account.
Key Takeaways
- A routing number is a nine-digit code owned by your bank or credit union, not by you personally.
- The routing number tells the sending bank where to direct money; your account number identifies which account at that bank receives it.
- You will need your routing number for direct deposit, automatic payments, wire transfers, and any time someone sends money to your account from outside your bank.
- Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks and is also available from your bank's website, customer service, or a branch visit.
Where to find your routing number
The easiest place to find your routing number is the bottom left corner of any check you have written. The first set of nine digits is your routing number; the second set is your account number.
If you do not have checks or prefer not to look them up that way, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section. You can also call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person and ask a teller. Have your account number or ID ready.
Some banks have different routing numbers for different types of transactions or regions. If you are setting up a wire transfer or direct deposit and want to be certain you have the right number, ask your bank directly rather than guessing from an old check.
Routing numbers for tax refunds and government payments
When you file your tax return and request direct deposit of your refund, the IRS uses your routing number and account number to deposit the money into your bank account. The same applies to stimulus payments, Social Security deposits, unemployment benefits, and other government payments sent directly to your bank.
Make sure you enter your routing number correctly on the tax form or payment setup screen. A single wrong digit will send the money to the wrong bank, and recovery can take weeks. If you are unsure, verify the number with your bank before submitting the form.
The IRS and other government agencies do not send refunds or payments to prepaid cards or accounts held outside the United States, even if you provide a routing number. Your account must be at a U.S. bank or credit union.
Routing numbers for direct deposit and automatic payments
When your employer sets up direct deposit of your paycheck, you provide your routing number and account number so the payroll system knows where to send the funds. The same process applies to automatic bill payments you set up with your utility company, insurance provider, or loan servicer.
Double-check both numbers before you submit them. If the routing number is wrong, your paycheck or payment will go to the wrong bank and you will have to contact your employer or the biller to correct it. This can delay your money by several days or longer.
Once direct deposit or an automatic payment is set up correctly, you do not need to provide the routing number again unless you change banks.
Routing numbers for wire transfers
A wire transfer is a fast way to send money to someone else's bank account, often used for large amounts or time-sensitive payments. To wire money, you need the recipient's routing number, account number, and the name on the account. Your bank will use the routing number to identify which bank holds the recipient's account.
Wire transfers are usually completed within one business day, sometimes the same day. Because they move quickly and are difficult to reverse, make sure you have the correct routing number before you initiate the transfer. If you send money to the wrong routing number, contact your bank immediately—they may be able to stop the transfer if it has not yet been processed.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the money will be sent to a different bank. Depending on how wrong the number is, the receiving bank may reject the transfer and send it back to the sender, or it may accept it and hold it in a suspense account while the bank tries to figure out where it should go.
Recovery usually takes one to three weeks. During that time, you will not have access to the money. If the funds are eventually returned to the sender, you will need to resubmit with the correct routing number. For this reason, it is worth taking 30 seconds to verify the number with your bank before you submit a large transfer or set up a new direct deposit.
If money has been sent to the wrong routing number and you need it urgently, contact your bank and the sending institution (your employer, the IRS, or whoever initiated the transfer) and ask them to file a trace. This is a formal request to locate and recover the funds, and it can sometimes speed up the process.
Routing numbers and account security
Your routing number is not sensitive information. It is printed on every check you write and is public information—anyone can look up any bank's routing number online. Sharing your routing number alone does not put your account at risk.
However, do not share your full account number or routing number together with someone you do not trust. A scammer with both pieces of information can set up unauthorized automatic payments or wire transfers from your account. If someone asks for your routing number and account number and you are not sure why they need it, ask them to explain and verify their identity before you provide it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my account number?
No. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both are printed on your checks. The routing number is the first nine digits at the bottom left; the account number follows it.
Can I use the same routing number for all my accounts at the same bank?
Yes. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they share the same routing number. The account number is what distinguishes them. However, if you have accounts at different banks, each bank has its own routing number.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
After a merger, your routing number may or may not change depending on which bank's systems are retained. Contact your bank or check your most recent statement to confirm your current routing number. If it has changed, update any automatic payments or direct deposits you have set up.
Do credit unions have routing numbers?
Yes. Credit unions are part of the same banking system and have routing numbers just like banks do. If you have an account at a credit union, you can find your routing number the same way—on your checks, in your online account, or by calling the credit union.
Can I look up someone else's routing number?
Yes. Routing numbers are public information. You can search online by bank name and state, or ask the person directly. You will need it if they want you to send them money via direct transfer or wire.