Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it on your bank's website or by calling customer service.
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. It tells the financial system which institution holds your account. You need it when you set up direct deposit, arrange wire transfers, or authorize automatic payments. The fastest way to find it depends on what you have access to right now.
If you have a checkbook, look at the bottom left corner of any check. The first set of numbers is your routing number. If you do not have checks or prefer not to use them, your bank's website has it listed in the account settings or help section. You can also call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or bank statements — and they will give it to you in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of your checks as the first group of nine digits.
- Your bank's website displays your routing number in the account information or settings section, usually under a heading like "Routing and Account Numbers" or "Bank Details."
- Calling your bank's customer service line is the fastest way to get your routing number if you do not have checks or online access.
- Your routing number is specific to your bank branch or institution, not to your individual account, so it stays the same across all your accounts at that bank.
Finding it on your checks
Every check has three groups of numbers printed along the bottom in magnetic ink. The first group, on the far left, is your routing number. It is always nine digits long. The second group is your account number, and the third is the check number itself.
This method works only if you have ordered checks from your bank. If you use a debit card instead or have not received checks yet, you will need to use one of the other methods below.
Looking it up on your bank's website
Log into your online banking account and look for a section labeled "Account Information," "Bank Details," "Routing and Account Numbers," or "Wire Transfer Information." Most banks put the routing number in one of these places. Some banks also list it under "Direct Deposit Setup" or "ACH Information."
If you cannot find it on the main account page, try the help or FAQ section of the website. Search for "routing number" and your bank will usually show you where to look. You may also find a downloadable PDF with your account details that includes the routing number.
Calling your bank directly
The phone number for customer service is printed on your debit card, on your bank statements, or on your bank's website. When you call, tell the representative you need your routing number. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually by providing your account number or the last four digits of your Social Security number — and then give you the number immediately.
This is often the fastest method if you are in a hurry or do not have online access. Customer service lines are typically open during business hours, and some banks offer 24-hour support.
Understanding routing numbers for different account types
If you have multiple accounts at the same bank — a checking account and a savings account, for example — they share the same routing number. The routing number identifies the bank, not the individual account. Your account number is what distinguishes one account from another.
If you bank at multiple institutions, each one has its own routing number. Credit unions also have routing numbers, which work the same way as bank routing numbers. The process for finding a credit union routing number is identical: check your statements, look online, or call.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have tried the methods above and still cannot locate it, contact your bank's customer service line. Have your account number ready when you call. The representative can pull up your account and provide the routing number in minutes.
If you are setting up direct deposit for an employer or government payment, you can also ask your employer or the agency handling the payment for help. Many have resources that show you where to find routing numbers, or they can accept the information in a different format if you are having trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for all my accounts at one bank?
Yes. The routing number identifies your bank or credit union, not your individual account. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same institution, both use the same routing number. Your account number is what distinguishes them from each other.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes, if you are sending money via ACH transfer or direct deposit. You need their routing number and account number. The routing number tells the system which bank to send the money to, and the account number tells that bank which account within the bank receives it.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may change after a merger. Check your most recent statement or log into online banking to confirm your current routing number. If you are unsure, call customer service. If you have pending direct deposits or automatic payments set up, contact those organizations to update your routing number if it changed.
Do I need my routing number to use my debit card?
No. You only need your routing number for direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH payments, and setting up automatic bill payments. Everyday debit card transactions do not require it.
Where do I find my routing number if I bank online only?
Log into your online banking account and look for account information or bank details. If you cannot find it there, call the customer service number listed on the bank's website. Online-only banks typically display routing numbers in the same places as traditional banks.