Savings accounts have routing numbers, but you may not need to use them
Yes, savings accounts have routing numbers. Your bank assigns a routing number to every account type it holds — checking, savings, money market, all of them. The routing number identifies which bank or credit union holds the account, not the account type itself.
But here is the practical difference: you almost never use the routing number for a savings account the way you do for a checking account. Routing numbers matter most when money is moving in or out through an external system — direct deposit, wire transfers, ACH payments. Most savings accounts sit still. Money goes in when you deposit it, and comes out when you withdraw it. No routing number required for either.
The routing number becomes relevant only if you are setting up a direct deposit into savings, transferring money from another bank, or receiving a wire transfer. In those cases, yes, you need it. But if you are just moving money between your own accounts at the same bank, or depositing cash at a branch, the routing number does not enter the picture.
Key Takeaways
- Every savings account has a routing number assigned by the bank, even though you rarely need it for routine deposits and withdrawals.
- Routing numbers matter for savings accounts only when money is coming from outside your bank — direct deposits, transfers from another institution, or wire transfers.
- If you are moving money between your own accounts at the same bank, you do not need the routing number; the bank's internal system handles it.
- You can find your savings account routing number on a deposit slip, your bank's website, or by calling the bank directly.
When you actually need a savings account routing number
Direct deposit is the most common reason. If your employer or a government agency (Social Security, tax refunds, unemployment benefits) is sending money to your savings account instead of checking, you give them the routing number plus your account number. The routing number tells the sending institution which bank to send the money to; the account number tells that bank which account within the bank.
Transfers from another bank work the same way. If you have an account at Bank A and want to move money to your savings account at Bank B, Bank A needs Bank B's routing number to know where to send it. This happens through the ACH system — the Automated Clearing House, which is how most non-wire transfers between banks move.
Wire transfers also require a routing number, though some banks ask for an additional code called a SWIFT code if the wire is going to another country. Wires move faster than ACH transfers (usually same-day) and cost more, but the routing number serves the same purpose: it identifies the destination bank.
Where to find your savings account routing number
The easiest place is your bank's website. Log in, go to your account details or settings, and look for a section labeled "Account Information" or "Routing and Account Numbers." Most banks display both numbers there.
A deposit slip — the paper slip that comes with your checkbook or that you pick up at a branch — also has the routing number printed on it. It is usually in the bottom left corner, a nine-digit number. Even though it is a deposit slip, it works for any account type at that bank.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask. Have your account number ready. They will confirm the routing number in under a minute.
Routing numbers are the same for all accounts at your bank
This is important: your bank has one routing number, not one per account. If you have a checking account, a savings account, and a money market account all at the same bank, they all share the same routing number. The account number is what distinguishes them.
This means if you are setting up direct deposit and you have multiple accounts at the same bank, you need to tell the sender which account you want the money in — but the routing number stays the same. The account number is what changes.
Credit unions work the same way. One routing number per institution, one account number per account.
What happens if you give the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the transfer will either bounce back or go to the wrong bank entirely. If it bounces back, the money returns to the sender within one to three business days, and you have to resubmit with the correct number. If it goes to another bank, that bank will reject it because the account number will not match any account in their system, and it bounces back the same way.
The account number matters too. If the routing number is correct but the account number is wrong, the money still bounces back. Both have to be right for the transfer to land in your account.
This is why it is worth double-checking before you submit. Especially for direct deposit, which you may only set up once — a wrong number means your paycheck goes nowhere for a pay period or two while it gets sorted out.
Savings accounts versus checking accounts and routing numbers
The routing number works identically for both. The difference is not in the routing number itself, but in how often you use it. Checking accounts are built for frequent transfers — direct deposit in, bill payments out, transfers to other people. Savings accounts are built to sit. You might set up one transfer into savings and then not touch the routing number again for months or years.
Some banks limit how many transfers you can make from a savings account per month (though this rule has become less common). That limit does not affect the routing number; it is just a rule on how the account works. The routing number is still there if you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my savings account routing number for a wire transfer?
Yes. Wire transfers use the same routing number as any other transfer method. Some banks ask for additional information like a SWIFT code for international wires, but the routing number is the same whether the wire is domestic or going overseas.
Do online savings accounts have routing numbers?
Yes. Online banks assign routing numbers just like brick-and-mortar banks do. You can find it on their website or by calling their support line. The routing number works the same way for direct deposits and transfers, even though you cannot walk into a branch.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may change. When banks merge, the acquiring bank sometimes assigns a new routing number to accounts from the acquired bank. Your bank will notify you if this happens and provide the new number. Check your bank's website or call to confirm which routing number is current for your account.
Is the routing number the same on my debit card as in my account details?
No. Your debit card has a card number, which is different from both your account number and your routing number. The routing number is not printed on the card. You need to get it from your bank directly — the website, a deposit slip, or a phone call.
Can someone use my routing number to take money from my account?
A routing number alone is not enough. Someone would need both your routing number and your account number, and even then, they cannot straightforward withdraw money. They would have to set up a transfer or ACH debit, which requires authorization. Your bank has fraud protections in place. If you see unauthorized transfers, report them to your bank when ready.