Bank account numbers can have dashes, but they're usually optional formatting
A dash in your bank account number is almost always just a way to make the number easier to read and write by hand. Your bank may print it with dashes on your checks or statements, but the dashes themselves are not part of the actual account number. When you enter your account number into a computer system—whether online banking, a bill payment, or a wire transfer—you typically leave the dashes out.
The actual account number is just the digits. The dashes are formatting, like how a phone number is written as 555-123-4567 but transmitted as 5551234567. Different banks format their account numbers differently on paper, and some use dashes while others use spaces or no separators at all.
What matters is that you know which digits make up your real account number so you can enter them correctly when you need to. Leaving dashes in by mistake when entering your number online can cause a transaction to fail or be rejected, so it's worth double-checking before you submit.
Key Takeaways
- Dashes in a bank account number are formatting only—the actual account number contains only the digits.
- When entering your account number into a computer system or online form, omit the dashes unless the system specifically asks for them.
- Different banks format account numbers differently on paper, so check your specific bank's statement or check to see where the dashes fall.
- If a transaction is rejected, verify you entered only the digits without any dashes or spaces.
How to find your real account number without the dashes
Your account number appears in several places on your bank statement and checks. On a check, it's the second set of numbers at the bottom—usually between the routing number on the left and the check number on the right. Your statement will also show it, often at the top or in the account information section.
Write down only the digits you see, ignoring any dashes or spaces. That string of digits is your actual account number. If your bank prints it as 123-456-789, your real account number is 123456789. Some banks use longer account numbers (10 to 17 digits is common), and some shorter ones, depending on the bank's system.
If you're unsure which part is the account number, log into your online banking and look for "account details" or "account information." Most banks display the account number there without any formatting, so you can see exactly what you're working with.
When dashes might actually be required
In rare cases, a form or system may ask you to enter your account number exactly as it appears on your statement—dashes and all. This is uncommon with banks themselves, but it can happen with third-party services, accounting software, or older systems that were built to accept formatted input.
If you're unsure whether to include dashes, the safest approach is to try without them first. Most modern systems will either accept the number or give you a clear error message. If you get an error, try entering it again with the dashes in the same places they appear on your statement.
When in doubt, contact your bank directly. They can tell you exactly how they want the number formatted for whatever transaction you're trying to complete.
What happens if you enter dashes by mistake
If you enter your account number with dashes in an online banking system or payment form, the transaction will usually fail or be rejected before it processes. The system reads the dashes as invalid characters and either won't accept the entry at all, or will flag it as incorrect when you try to submit.
This is actually a safety feature—it prevents you from accidentally sending money to the wrong place or setting up a transfer with a malformed account number. You'll straightforward need to go back, remove the dashes, and try again.
The only real risk is if you're manually writing your account number on a check or form. In that case, dashes are fine and expected—they're standard on checks. The issue only arises when you're typing into a digital system.
Account numbers versus routing numbers: the difference
Your account number and your routing number are two separate pieces of information, and neither should have dashes when you enter them digitally. Your routing number identifies your bank (or your bank's branch), while your account number identifies your specific account at that bank.
On a check, the routing number is the first set of digits at the bottom left, and the account number is the second set. Both may be printed with dashes or spaces for readability, but when you enter them online—for direct deposit, bill pay, or wire transfers—you enter only the digits.
Some systems ask for both numbers together, some ask for them separately. Either way, remove all dashes and spaces before entering.
Why banks format account numbers differently
Banks choose their own formatting standards for how account numbers appear on paper. Some use dashes, some use spaces, and some print them with no separators at all. This is purely a design choice and doesn't affect how the account number actually works.
The formatting is meant to make long strings of digits easier for humans to read and write by hand. A 12-digit account number like 123456789012 is harder to copy accurately than 123-456-789-012. But the actual account number—the data your bank's system uses—is just the digits.
This is why it's important to check your own bank's statement or checks to see how they format it. You can't assume all banks use the same pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include dashes when setting up direct deposit?
No. When you provide your account number for direct deposit, enter only the digits without dashes. Your employer's payroll system will reject the entry if you include formatting characters. Check your bank statement to confirm which digits make up your account number, then enter them as a continuous string of numbers.
What if my bank's website shows my account number with dashes?
That's normal—banks often display account numbers with dashes for readability. When you need to use that number in a form or transfer, remove the dashes before entering it. The dashes are just how your bank chose to display it on screen; they're not part of the actual number.
Can I write dashes on a check when I'm writing my account number?
Yes. Checks are processed by machines that read the numbers at the bottom, and dashes are standard formatting on checks. You can write your account number with or without dashes on a check—either way works. The machine reads only the digits.
Does the dash position matter if I do include it?
Only if you're writing by hand on a check or form. If you're entering your account number into a digital system, don't include dashes at all. If a system specifically requires dashes, match the exact position shown on your statement, but this is rare with banks.
What if a wire transfer keeps getting rejected?
Double-check that you entered your account number with no dashes or spaces, and verify you have the correct routing number for your bank. Wire transfers are sensitive to formatting errors. Contact your bank to confirm both numbers are correct before trying again.