Your bank account has multiple numbers, each one doing a different job
A single bank account comes with at least three separate numbers: your account number, your routing number, and your SWIFT code (if you receive international transfers). The account number identifies your specific account at your bank. The routing number tells the payment system which bank to send money to. The SWIFT code does the same thing for international transfers. You will need different combinations of these numbers depending on whether you are setting up direct deposit, sending a wire transfer, or receiving a payment from overseas.
Some accounts also come with a fourth number: a check routing number, which may differ from your electronic routing number. This matters only if you still write checks. Most people today use just the account number and routing number for all their regular payments.
Key Takeaways
- Your account number is unique to your account and appears on checks, statements, and online banking; your routing number identifies your specific bank branch and is the same for all customers at that branch.
- You need both your account number and routing number together to set up direct deposit, automatic bill payments, or to receive ACH transfers from other people or organizations.
- Your SWIFT code is only necessary if you are receiving money from outside the United States; domestic transfers never use it.
- Check routing numbers and electronic routing numbers can be different at the same bank, so confirm which one you need before providing it to an employer or biller.
Account number: what it identifies and where to find it
Your account number is a string of digits (usually 8 to 12 numbers, but this varies by bank) that belongs only to your account. No other customer at your bank has this number. It appears on the bottom left of every check you write, on your monthly statement, and in your online banking portal. When you give someone your account number alone, they cannot do anything with it—they also need your routing number to move money.
You can find your account number in several places. Check the bottom of any check you have written; it is the first set of numbers after the routing number. Log into your online banking and look at your account details or statement. Call your bank's customer service line and they will read it to you over the phone. Some banks print it on your debit card, though not all do.
Routing number: the address of your bank
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank or credit union and, in some cases, the specific branch. All customers at the same bank branch typically share the same routing number. This number tells the ACH system (the network that moves money between banks) where to send the payment. Without it, the payment system does not know which bank to contact.
Routing numbers are assigned by the Federal Reserve and are public information. You can find your routing number on the bottom center of any check, in your online banking under account details, or by calling your bank. You can also search for it on your bank's website or on the Federal Reserve's routing number lookup tool. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, they usually share the same routing number unless they are held at different branches.
SWIFT code: for international transfers only
A SWIFT code (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is an 8 or 11-character code that identifies your bank internationally. You only need this number if you are receiving a wire transfer from outside the United States. Domestic transfers—whether ACH, wire, or check—never use a SWIFT code.
Your SWIFT code is usually your bank's name condensed into letters, plus a country code and sometimes a branch code. For example, a major U.S. bank's SWIFT code might start with the bank's initials followed by "US" for United States. You can find your SWIFT code on your bank's website, by calling customer service, or through an international SWIFT code directory. If someone overseas is sending you money, ask your bank for your SWIFT code before they initiate the transfer.
Check routing number versus electronic routing number
Some banks maintain two different routing numbers: one for checks and one for electronic transfers (ACH, direct deposit, wire transfers). This is rare but does happen. The check routing number appears on the bottom of your checks. The electronic routing number is what you provide for direct deposit or automatic bill payments.
If your bank has two routing numbers, using the wrong one will cause a delay or rejection. Before you give your routing number to your employer for direct deposit or to a biller for automatic payments, confirm with your bank which number they need. The safest approach is to ask your bank directly rather than guessing based on a check or a website.
What happens when you give out these numbers
When you provide your account number and routing number together, you are giving someone the information they need to pull money from your account (via ACH debit) or to deposit money into it (via ACH credit or direct deposit). This is why you should only share these numbers with people or organizations you trust: your employer, your bank, a utility company, a loan servicer, or a person you know.
Giving out just your account number or just your routing number is harmless—neither one alone can be used to move money. However, giving both together to a stranger or an unverified business creates risk. If someone uses your account and routing number to pull money without your permission, you can dispute the transaction with your bank, but the process takes time. Only share both numbers with sources you have verified.
International transfers and additional codes
If you are receiving money from overseas, you may also need an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), though this is primarily used in Europe and other regions outside North America. U.S. banks do not typically issue IBANs. Instead, international senders use your account number, routing number, and SWIFT code. Some banks also ask for a bank name and address to complete an international transfer.
Before you receive an international wire, contact your bank and ask them what information to provide to the sender. Banks vary in their requirements, and providing incomplete information will delay the transfer or cause it to be rejected and returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone steal money from my account if they only have my account number?
No. Your account number alone is not enough to move money. A thief would also need your routing number, and even then they would need to initiate the transfer through a bank or payment system. If you are concerned, contact your bank and ask them to flag your account for unusual activity.
Is my routing number the same for all my accounts at the same bank?
Usually yes, if your accounts are at the same branch. Some banks assign different routing numbers to different branches or different account types, so check with your bank if you have multiple accounts. The safest approach is to verify the routing number for each account separately.
What if I give my routing number to the wrong bank by mistake?
The payment will be rejected or delayed because the receiving bank will not recognize the routing number as belonging to them. Contact the organization that initiated the transfer and provide the correct routing number. They can resubmit the payment with the right information.
Do I need my SWIFT code for a wire transfer within the United States?
No. Domestic wire transfers use only your account number and routing number. SWIFT codes are for international transfers only. If a U.S. bank asks you for a SWIFT code for a domestic transfer, double-check that the transfer is actually domestic.
Where do I find my account number if I do not have any checks?
Log into your online banking and look for account details or account information. Call your bank's customer service line and they will provide it. Some banks also print the account number on your debit card or statement. If you receive a monthly statement by mail, it will be listed there as well.