The fastest way to find your routing number
Your bank's routing number is printed on the bottom left of every check you have from that bank. If you have a checkbook, open it and look at the first check. You will see nine digits in the bottom left corner — that is your routing number. It is the same for every account you hold at that bank.
If you do not have checks or cannot find them, call your bank's customer service number (on your debit card, bank statement, or the bank's website) and ask for your routing number. They will give it to you in under a minute. You can also log into your online banking account — many banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check from your bank and is the same across all your accounts at that bank.
- If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line or log into online banking to find it.
- The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch, not your account.
- Different banks have different routing numbers, and some large banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions or branches.
Why banks have routing numbers
A routing number tells the banking system which bank to send money to. When you set up a direct deposit, pay a bill online, or receive a wire transfer, the routing number is how the money finds its way to your bank instead of someone else's.
Think of it like a postal address for your bank. Your account number is like the apartment number — it tells the bank which specific account within that bank should receive the money. Together, the routing number and account number make sure money lands in the right place.
Where to look if you cannot find it on a check
If you do not have checks, you have several other places to look. Log into your online banking account and look for account details, account information, or settings — the routing number is often listed there alongside your account number. Some banks put it under a section called "Bank Information" or "Account Summary."
Your bank statement (whether printed or online) may also show the routing number, though not all banks include it. If you have a debit card, the bank's customer service number is printed on the back. Call that number and tell them you need your routing number — they will verify your identity and give it to you.
You can also visit your bank's website and look for a "Contact Us" or "Customer Service" page. Many banks list their routing numbers there, organized by state or branch location. If your bank is large and has branches in multiple states, make sure you are looking at the routing number for your specific state or branch.
When large banks have more than one routing number
Some of the largest banks in the country have multiple routing numbers. This happens because the bank may have acquired other banks over time, or because it operates different divisions in different regions. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank are examples of banks where the routing number can depend on which state your account is in or which division manages your account.
If you are setting up direct deposit or a wire transfer and you are not sure which routing number to use, ask your bank directly. Tell them the state where your account is located or the branch where you opened it. They will give you the correct nine-digit code for your situation. Using the wrong routing number will not send money to the wrong person — the transfer will usually be rejected or delayed — but it is better to confirm first.
What to do with your routing number once you have it
Once you have your routing number, you will use it whenever you set up direct deposit (for paychecks or government benefits), arrange bill payments through your bank's website, or receive a wire transfer. You will also need it if you are moving money between banks or setting up automatic transfers.
Keep your routing number somewhere you can find it again — write it down, take a photo of a check, or save it in a note on your phone. You do not need to keep it secret the way you keep your account number secret. Your routing number is public information and is safe to share. It only tells someone which bank to send money to, not which account or how much money you have.
Routing numbers versus account numbers
People often mix these up, so here is the difference: your routing number identifies your bank. Your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. You need both pieces of information to receive money from outside sources like an employer or government agency.
Your account number is usually printed on the bottom center of your checks, right after the routing number. It is longer than the routing number — often 10 to 12 digits — and it is unique to you. Unlike your routing number, your account number should be kept private. If someone has your account number and routing number, they can set up transfers from your account, which is why you should not share both pieces of information together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for all my accounts at the same bank?
Yes. Your routing number is tied to your bank and branch, not to individual accounts. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they share the same routing number. Your account numbers will be different, but the routing number stays the same.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. If you want to send money to someone at a specific bank, you need their routing number and account number. The routing number is public information — you can safely ask someone for it or look it up online. You only need to keep your own account number private.
What happens if I use the wrong routing number?
The transfer will usually be rejected by the banking system, and the money will be returned to you within a few business days. In rare cases, money sent to the wrong routing number may be delayed while the banks sort it out. This is why it is worth double-checking before you submit a large transfer.
Do credit unions have routing numbers?
Yes. Credit unions use routing numbers the same way banks do. If you have an account at a credit union, you can find the routing number on your checks, through online banking, or by calling the credit union's customer service line.