Where the routing number appears on your checks
Your bank's routing number is printed on the bottom left of every check you receive. It is a nine-digit code that identifies which bank or credit union holds your account. When you look at the bottom of a check, you will see three groups of numbers: the routing number comes first (on the far left), your account number follows in the middle, and the check number appears on the right.
The routing number stays the same for every check from your account. It does not change if you order new checks, switch to a different account type at the same bank, or move to a different branch. The number is tied to your bank's location and the Federal Reserve district it belongs to, not to your individual account.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is the nine-digit code printed on the bottom left of your checks, before your account number.
- You can also find your routing number on your bank's website, by calling customer service, or through your online banking portal.
- The routing number identifies your bank to other financial institutions and is required for direct deposits, wire transfers, and ACH payments.
- If you do not have checks, your bank can provide the routing number by phone or email within minutes.
Finding your routing number online or by phone
If you do not have a check in front of you, your bank's website usually lists the routing number in the customer service or FAQ section. Log into your online banking account and look for a page labeled "Account Information," "Bank Details," or "Routing and Account Numbers." Most banks display both numbers together for easy reference.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for the routing number. Have your account number ready, and the representative can confirm it in seconds. Some banks text or email the number to you if you request it through their app or website. Credit unions work the same way — call the main branch or check their website for the routing number.
Why you need your routing number
Your routing number is required whenever money moves between banks. If your employer sets up direct deposit, they need your routing number and account number to send your paycheck to the right place. When you arrange a wire transfer to another bank, you provide the routing number so the sending bank knows where to direct the funds.
Automatic bill payments, ACH transfers (the system used for most online payments between accounts), and peer-to-peer payment apps all use your routing number to route the transaction correctly. Without it, the payment cannot reach your account. The routing number is public information — sharing it is safe and necessary for these transactions to work.
Routing numbers are different from account numbers
Your account number identifies your specific checking account at your bank. The routing number identifies the bank itself. You need both pieces of information together for most transactions. If you give someone only your routing number without your account number, they cannot deposit money into your account — the bank would not know which account to credit.
Think of the routing number as the bank's address and the account number as your mailbox number. The address gets the mail to the right building, but the mailbox number tells the postal worker which box to open. Both are required for the system to work.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If your bank's website does not list the routing number clearly, use the Federal Reserve's routing number search tool at frbservices.org. Enter your bank name and state, and the tool will return the routing number. This works for any bank or credit union in the United States.
You can also search online for "[Your Bank Name] routing number" and your state. Most banks have this information on their first page of results. If you are still stuck, call your bank directly — they can confirm the number and make sure you have the right one for your specific branch or account type, since some large banks use different routing numbers for different regions.
Routing numbers for wire transfers and ACH payments
The routing number on your checks is the same one you use for direct deposits and most ACH payments. However, some banks use a different routing number specifically for wire transfers. Before you send a wire, ask your bank whether the routing number on your check is correct for wire transfers, or whether they have provided you with a separate wire routing number.
This matters because using the wrong routing number for a wire transfer can send your money to the wrong bank, and recovering it takes time and effort. Your bank can tell you in one call which routing number to use for the type of transaction you are making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to give someone my routing number?
Yes. Your routing number is public information and is printed on every check you write. Sharing it alone does not put your account at risk — someone would also need your account number to access your funds. You must provide your routing number for direct deposits, bill payments, and wire transfers.
Can my routing number change?
Your routing number can change if your bank merges with another bank or if you move your account to a different bank. If you keep the same account at the same bank, the routing number stays the same. If your bank merges, they will notify you and provide the new routing number.
What if I have multiple accounts at the same bank?
All accounts at the same bank branch share the same routing number. Your account number is what distinguishes one account from another. When you provide both numbers together, the bank knows exactly which account you are referring to.
Do credit unions have routing numbers?
Yes. Credit unions use routing numbers the same way banks do. You can find your credit union's routing number on your checks, on their website, or by calling their main office. The nine-digit format and function are identical to bank routing numbers.