Yes, savings accounts have routing numbers, but you use them differently than with checking accounts
Your savings account has a routing number because it sits within the same bank or credit union as your checking account, and that institution needs a way to identify itself in the payment system. The routing number is the same one your bank uses for all its accounts — checking, savings, money market, everything. What changes is your account number, which is unique to that specific savings account.
The distinction matters because routing numbers are about the institution, not the account type. When you give someone your routing number and savings account number together, you are telling the payment system: "Send this money to this specific savings account at this specific bank." The routing number does the first job; the account number does the second.
You will need both pieces of information if you want direct deposits to go into your savings account instead of checking, or if you are setting up an automatic transfer from another bank into your savings. Without the account number, the routing number alone cannot direct money anywhere.
Key Takeaways
- Every savings account at a bank or credit union has a routing number — it is the same routing number the institution uses for all account types.
- The routing number identifies the bank; your account number identifies which specific savings account within that bank.
- You need both the routing number and account number together to move money into or out of your savings account.
- You can find your savings account's routing number on the bottom left of a check, through your online banking portal, or by calling your bank.
- Some online-only banks have routing numbers even though they do not issue checks, because they still participate in the ACH and wire transfer networks.
Where to find your savings account routing number
The easiest place to look is your online banking portal. Log in, navigate to your savings account, and look for account details or account information. Most banks display the routing number and account number side by side, sometimes labeled as "routing transit number" or "ABA number."
If you have a checkbook for your savings account — some banks still offer this — the routing number is printed on the bottom left of any check, in the first set of nine digits. The account number follows when ready after.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for the routing number for your savings account. Have your account number ready, and they will confirm it in seconds. If you bank at a credit union, the process is the same: call or log into your online banking to find it.
Why savings accounts need routing numbers at all
Routing numbers exist because the U.S. payment system needs a way to identify which institution should receive a payment. When you set up a direct deposit to your savings account, or when you initiate an ACH transfer (the system that moves money between banks electronically), the routing number tells the sending bank where to send the money. Without it, the system would not know which of thousands of banks you actually use.
This is true even for online-only banks that never issue checks. They still have routing numbers because they still connect to the ACH network and the wire transfer system. The routing number is not about checks — it is about being part of the banking infrastructure.
The Federal Reserve maintains the official list of routing numbers. Each one is unique to a specific bank or credit union and, in some cases, to a specific branch or region within a large institution. This is why two branches of the same bank might have different routing numbers, though most banks use a single routing number nationwide.
Routing numbers versus account numbers: what each one does
Think of the routing number as the address of the bank and the account number as the address of your specific account within that bank. The routing number gets the money to the right institution; the account number gets it to the right place inside that institution.
When you provide both together — for example, to set up a payroll direct deposit into your savings account — you are giving the payment system complete instructions. The routing number routes the payment to your bank. The account number routes it to your savings account, not your checking account or any other account you might have there.
If you give only the routing number without the account number, the payment cannot go through. If you give the account number without the routing number, the system will not know which bank to send it to. Both pieces are required for any electronic transfer.
How to use your savings account routing number for transfers
The most common reason to use your savings account routing number is to set up a direct deposit. When you fill out a direct deposit form at work or with a government agency, you will see fields for routing number and account number. Enter your savings account's routing number and your savings account number, and future paychecks or benefit payments will land in savings instead of checking.
You also use the routing number when you want to transfer money from another bank into your savings account. If you have an account at Bank A and want to move money from Bank B into it, you give Bank B your Bank A routing number and your Bank A savings account number. Bank B uses those to send the money through the ACH network.
Some people set up automatic transfers between their own accounts — for example, moving a fixed amount from checking to savings every payday. That also requires the routing number and account number of the savings account, even though both accounts are at the same bank. The system works the same way whether the accounts are at one institution or two.
What happens if you give the wrong routing number
If you provide an incorrect routing number, the payment will either be rejected outright or sent to the wrong bank. If it goes to the wrong bank, that bank will eventually return it to the sender, which can take several days. Your money will not be lost, but it will be delayed.
If you provide the correct routing number but the wrong account number, the payment reaches your bank but goes into the wrong account — possibly someone else's account. This is why it is important to double-check both numbers before submitting a direct deposit form or initiating a transfer. Most banks will catch a mismatched pair and reject the transaction, but not always.
If you are unsure about your routing number, verify it through your online banking portal or by calling your bank before you submit any forms. It takes two minutes and prevents delays or misdirected payments.
Routing numbers for online-only banks and credit unions
Online-only banks like Ally, Marcus, and Discover have routing numbers even though they do not have physical branches and do not issue checks. They participate in the ACH and wire transfer networks just like traditional banks, so they need a routing number to receive electronic transfers.
Credit unions also have routing numbers. If you bank at a credit union, you can find yours the same way — through online banking, by calling, or by checking a check if your credit union issues them. Credit union routing numbers work identically to bank routing numbers in the payment system.
The routing number does not change based on the type of account you have or whether your bank has physical locations. It is straightforward the identifier the payment system uses to find your institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my checking account routing number for my savings account?
No. While the routing number is the same for both accounts at the same bank, you must use your savings account number with that routing number. If you use your checking account number with the routing number, the money will go to checking, not savings. Always pair the routing number with the correct account number.
Do I need a routing number if I only have a savings account and no checking account?
Yes. Even if savings is your only account, it still has a routing number. You will need it for direct deposits, transfers from other banks, or any electronic movement of money into or out of that account.
Is the routing number the same for all branches of my bank?
Usually yes. Most large banks use a single routing number nationwide. However, some regional banks or credit unions have different routing numbers for different branches or regions. Check your bank's website or call to confirm if you are unsure.
What if my bank merged with another bank — does my routing number change?
Sometimes. When banks merge, the surviving institution may keep its own routing number, adopt the other bank's, or use a new one. Your bank will notify you if your routing number changes and will update it in your online banking portal. Any existing direct deposits or automatic transfers will need to be updated with the new number.
Can someone access my savings account with just the routing number?
No. A routing number alone identifies only the bank, not your specific account. Someone would need both your routing number and your account number to transfer money. Even then, most banks require additional verification before processing large transfers. Your routing number is safe to share.