An ABA code is a nine-digit number that identifies your specific bank or credit union
The ABA code (also called a routing number or routing transit number) tells the banking system which institution holds your account. When money moves between banks—whether you're setting up direct deposit, sending a wire transfer, or paying a bill through your bank's website—the ABA code is how the sending bank knows where to send it. Without it, the payment has no address.
Every bank and credit union in the United States has its own ABA code. If you have accounts at two different banks, each account has a different ABA code, even if you're the same person. The code is assigned by the American Bankers Association (which is where the "ABA" comes from), and it never changes for that institution.
You'll see the ABA code printed on the bottom left of your checks, but you don't need a checkbook to find it. Your bank's website, your account statement, or a call to customer service will give it to you in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- An ABA code is a nine-digit number that identifies which bank or credit union holds your account, and it's required for wire transfers, direct deposit setup, and ACH payments.
- The code appears on the bottom left of your checks, but you can also find it on your bank statement, through your bank's website, or by calling customer service.
- Each branch of the same bank typically shares the same ABA code, so you don't need a branch-specific number—the main code works for all locations.
- The ABA code is different from your account number; you usually need both pieces of information to move money into or out of your account.
Where to find your ABA code
The easiest place to look is the bottom left corner of any check from your account. The first nine digits printed there are your ABA code. If you don't have checks or don't want to dig through a drawer, log into your bank's website or mobile app—most banks display the routing number in the account details section, often under "Account Information" or "Transfer Funds."
Your monthly bank statement also lists the ABA code, usually near the top or in a section labeled "Account Details." If you can't find it online or on paper, call your bank's customer service line. They'll confirm the code in under a minute and can tell you whether it applies to all your accounts at that bank or if you have a different code for a different account type.
ABA code vs. account number: what's the difference
The ABA code identifies the bank. The account number identifies your specific account within that bank. Think of it this way: the ABA code is the bank's address, and your account number is your mailbox at that address. You need both to move money.
When you set up direct deposit, for example, your employer needs your ABA code so the payroll processor knows which bank to send the money to, and your account number so the bank knows which account to deposit it into. If you give only the ABA code, the money arrives at the right bank but gets stuck because the bank doesn't know which account is yours. If you give only the account number, the receiving bank can't find you at all.
On a check, the ABA code is the first nine digits on the bottom left, and your account number follows immediately after it (usually 10 to 12 digits, though the length varies by bank).
When you need to provide your ABA code
You'll need your ABA code for any transaction that moves money between banks electronically. The most common scenarios are:
- Direct deposit: Your employer or a government agency (like Social Security) needs it to deposit paychecks or benefits into your account.
- Wire transfers: If you're sending money to someone at a different bank, you provide your ABA code so the sending bank knows where your account is.
- ACH payments: When you set up automatic bill payments or transfer money between your own accounts at different banks, the system uses your ABA code to route the transaction.
- Receiving wire transfers: If someone is sending you money by wire, they'll ask for your ABA code along with your account number.
- Loan applications: Lenders often ask for your ABA code to verify your bank account or set up automatic payments.
You typically do not need your ABA code for everyday debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, or checks you write. Those transactions don't require routing information because they're happening within your own bank or through card networks that already know where your account is.
ABA codes for different account types at the same bank
Most banks use the same ABA code for all account types—checking, savings, money market—at the same institution. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, both accounts share the same ABA code. The account number is what distinguishes one from the other.
However, some large banks or credit unions may assign different ABA codes to different divisions or account types, particularly if they operate multiple banking entities under one corporate umbrella. If you're unsure whether your savings account and checking account have the same routing number, ask your bank directly or check your statements for each account side by side.
What happens if you use the wrong ABA code
If you provide an incorrect ABA code, the transaction will either be rejected outright or sent to the wrong bank. In the case of direct deposit or a wire transfer, the sending institution will catch the error and either return the money to the sender or hold it while they try to locate the correct destination. This process can take several business days.
If the wrong ABA code happens to belong to another real bank, the money may arrive at that bank but won't match any account number they have on file. The receiving bank will then return it to the sender. In rare cases, if both the ABA code and account number are wrong but happen to match an account at the wrong bank, that person's account could receive the funds by mistake—which is why it's critical to double-check before submitting.
For this reason, always verify your ABA code before giving it to an employer, lender, or anyone else. A simple mistake in one digit can delay your payment by days or send it somewhere it shouldn't go.
International transfers and ABA codes
ABA codes are used only within the United States banking system. If you're receiving money from outside the U.S. or sending money internationally, you'll need different routing information instead.
For incoming international wire transfers, you'll typically need to provide your bank's SWIFT code (also called a BIC code), which is an eight or eleven-character code that identifies your bank globally. You may also need your bank's full name and address. Some banks also use an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) for transfers within Europe and certain other regions, though this is less common for U.S. banks.
Ask your bank which information to provide for an international transfer, as the requirements vary by country and by the sending bank's rules. Your bank can supply the SWIFT code and any other codes needed in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my ABA code the same as my bank's routing number?
Yes. "ABA code," "routing number," and "routing transit number" all refer to the same nine-digit identifier. Banks and financial institutions use these terms interchangeably. You may see any of them on your statement or website, but they're the same number.
Can I use the same ABA code for multiple accounts?
Yes, if the accounts are at the same bank. Most banks assign one ABA code to the entire institution, so your checking account, savings account, and money market account all share the same routing number. The account number is what distinguishes them from each other.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
After a merger, your bank may keep its original ABA code or transition to the acquiring bank's code. Your bank will notify you if the routing number changes and will update it on your statements and online account information. If you have automatic payments or direct deposit set up, contact your employer or billers to confirm whether they need the new code or if the old one still works during the transition period.
Do I need my ABA code to receive a check payment?
No. When someone writes you a check, they don't need your ABA code—the check itself contains all the routing and account information needed. The ABA code on the check tells the receiving bank (the bank that processes the check) where to send the funds for collection, not where to deposit them.
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my ABA code?
Not with just the ABA code alone. A thief would also need your account number, and even then, most banks require additional verification before processing transfers. However, treat your ABA code and account number together as sensitive information and don't share them with anyone you don't trust. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never ask for this information via email or unsolicited phone calls.