Chase checking accounts do not impose a per-check limit, but they do cap the total number of checks you can write each month
Chase allows unlimited individual checks — you can write a check for any amount without hitting a ceiling on check size. However, most Chase checking products limit the total number of checks you can write in a statement period, usually to 6 or 12 per month depending on the account type. Once you hit that cap, you cannot write additional checks until the next statement cycle begins, even if you have the funds available.
The specific limit depends on which Chase checking account you hold. Chase Total Checking, their most common product, allows 6 checks per statement period. Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking both allow 12 checks per month. If you write checks beyond your account's limit, Chase will not process the excess checks — they will be returned unpaid, which can trigger overdraft fees and damage to your banking relationship.
This is different from a check writing fee, which Chase does not charge. You are not paying per check; you are simply restricted in how many you can use. The restriction exists because checks are expensive for banks to process compared to digital payments.
Key Takeaways
- Chase checking accounts allow you to write checks of any size without a per-check limit, but cap the total number of checks per month at either 6 or 12 depending on your account type.
- Chase Total Checking permits 6 checks per statement period, while Chase Premier Plus and Chase Sapphire Checking allow 12 checks per month.
- Checks written beyond your account's monthly limit will be returned unpaid, potentially triggering overdraft fees and affecting your account standing.
- If you need to write more than 12 checks per month regularly, you should contact Chase to discuss account options or switch to a different payment method for most transactions.
How Chase counts checks against your limit
Chase counts a check against your monthly limit the moment you write it and present it for payment, not when you write it in your checkbook. If you write a check on the 28th of the month but the recipient does not deposit it until the 5th of the next month, Chase counts it in the month you wrote it, based on the date on the check itself.
This matters because checks can take days or weeks to clear. If you write your 6th check on the 25th but it does not clear until the 2nd of the next month, you have still used your quota for the current statement period. You cannot write a 7th check in that period, even though the 6th one has not yet been deducted from your account balance.
Cashier's checks and money orders issued by Chase do not count toward your check limit. Only personal checks drawn on your account count. If you need to send money and have exhausted your check quota, a cashier's check is an alternative, though Chase charges a fee for this service (typically $10 to $15 per cashier's check).
What happens when you exceed your check limit
If you attempt to write a 7th check on a Chase Total Checking account in a single statement period, the check will be returned unpaid to the recipient. The recipient's bank will mark it as a returned check, and the recipient will likely contact you about payment. You will also face consequences from Chase.
Chase charges a returned check fee for each check that bounces due to exceeding your limit. This fee is typically $34 per returned item, though the exact amount can vary. The fee appears on your statement and reduces your account balance immediately, even if the check was not for a large amount.
Beyond the fee, a returned check can damage your credit indirectly. While Chase does not report returned checks to credit bureaus, the recipient may pursue collection action if the check was for a significant amount, and that collection attempt could appear on your credit report. Merchants and service providers may also refuse to accept checks from you in the future if you have a history of returned checks.
Alternatives if you write checks frequently
If you regularly need to write more than 6 or 12 checks per month, you have several options. The simplest is to upgrade to a Chase account with a higher check limit. Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking both allow 12 checks per month — double the limit of Total Checking. If even 12 is not enough, contact Chase directly to discuss whether they offer any accounts without check limits, as policies can vary by branch and account history.
Another option is to use digital payment methods for most transactions and reserve checks for situations where they are truly necessary. Chase offers bill pay through its online banking platform, which allows you to send payments electronically to almost any business or individual. Bill pay does not count against your check limit and typically processes within one to three business days. For peer-to-peer transfers, Chase offers Zelle, which is free and instant for most users.
If you need to send a large payment and have exhausted your checks, a cashier's check is available but costs money. A wire transfer through Chase is another option for large sums, though wire fees typically range from $15 to $30 depending on whether the transfer is domestic or international. For most people, shifting to bill pay and Zelle eliminates the need to write many checks at all.
Check limits across different Chase account types
| Account Type | Checks Per Month | Other Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | 6 | No monthly fee with direct deposit or $500+ daily balance |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | 12 | Requires higher balance; includes higher interest rate |
| Chase Sapphire Checking | 12 | Linked to Chase Sapphire credit card benefits |
| Chase Student Checking | 6 | No monthly fee for students; limited to those under 24 |
The check limit is just one feature that differs between Chase accounts. Premier Plus and Sapphire Checking have higher minimum balance requirements and may offer higher interest rates on deposits, but they also come with higher monthly maintenance fees if you do not meet balance thresholds. Total Checking is the most accessible option for most people and has no monthly fee if you set up direct deposit or maintain a $500 daily balance.
If you are considering switching accounts to get a higher check limit, compare the full cost of each account, including monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and interest rates. Sometimes the fee for a higher-tier account exceeds the value of being able to write a few extra checks per month.
How to monitor your check usage
Chase does not send you an alert when you are approaching your monthly check limit. You need to track this yourself. The easiest way is to note each check you write in your checkbook register or in Chase's mobile app, where you can see pending transactions. Many people write checks infrequently enough that they never come close to the limit, but if you write checks regularly, keeping a running count prevents surprises.
You can also log into your Chase online account and review your statement at any time during the month to see how many checks have cleared. Pending checks (those you have written but the recipient has not yet deposited) will show as pending transactions. Once a check clears, it will appear as a posted transaction with the check number listed.
If you are unsure how many checks you have written in your current statement period, contact Chase customer service by phone or through your online account. They can tell you exactly how many checks have posted and how many you have remaining in the current cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write a check for more than my account balance?
No. Chase will return any check that would overdraw your account, regardless of whether you have checks remaining in your monthly quota. The check will bounce, and you will face a returned check fee. If you have overdraft protection linked to a savings account or credit line, Chase may cover the check, but you will pay an overdraft fee (typically $35) and interest on the borrowed amount.
Do electronic checks or mobile check deposits count toward my limit?
Mobile check deposits (where you photograph a check and deposit it through the app) do not count toward your limit — that limit applies only to checks you write and send out. Electronic checks sent through bill pay also do not count. Only physical checks you write and present for payment count.
What if I write a check and the recipient never deposits it?
The check still counts against your monthly limit the moment you write it, based on the date on the check. If the recipient never deposits it, the check never clears your account, but you have still used one of your allotted checks for that month. After a certain period (usually six months to a year), an undeposited check becomes stale-dated and the recipient's bank will refuse to process it.
Can I request that Chase remove my check limit?
Chase does not remove check limits from consumer checking accounts as a standard practice. Your options are to upgrade to an account with a higher limit or to use alternative payment methods like bill pay and Zelle for most transactions. If you have a very specific situation, you can contact Chase directly to ask, but they are unlikely to make an exception.
Do starter checks or temporary checks count toward my limit?
Yes. Any check drawn on your Chase account counts toward your limit, whether it is a permanent check from your checkbook, a starter check, or a temporary check. The source of the check does not matter — only that it is a check on your account.