The fastest way to find your routing number
Your 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. The routing number is the first set of nine digits at the bottom of the check, before your account number.
If you do not have checks or cannot find them, log into your online banking account. Most banks display your routing number in the account details or settings section — often labeled "Account Information" or "Bank Details". The exact location varies by bank, but it is usually one or two clicks away from your main account view.
If you cannot access online banking or do not remember your password, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. A representative can tell you your routing number over the phone in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check from your account, as the first nine-digit number.
- Online banking accounts show your routing number in the account details or settings section, though the exact location depends on your bank.
- Your bank's customer service line can provide your routing number when ready if you call the number on your debit card or statement.
- The routing number is specific to your bank's location, not to your individual account, so all customers at the same branch have the same routing number.
Finding it in your online banking portal
Log into your bank's website or mobile app using your username and password. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Account Information," "Account Details," "Bank Information," or "Settings." Some banks put this under a menu labeled "Profile" or "My Accounts."
When you find that section, your routing number should be listed alongside your account number. Some banks display it prominently; others require you to click "View Full Account Details" or a similar link. If you cannot find it after checking the main account view and the settings menu, use the search function in your browser (Ctrl+F on Windows, Cmd+F on Mac) and search for the word "routing."
If your bank's website does not show the routing number online, move to the phone call option — some smaller banks or credit unions do not display it in their digital systems for security reasons, but they will provide it when ready by phone.
Reading it from a check
The bottom of a check has three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines. The first group, on the far left, is your routing number. It is always nine digits long. The second group is your account number, which is usually longer. The third group is the check number.
You can use any check from your account — the routing number is the same on every check from that bank and branch. If you have old checks from years ago, the routing number on them is still valid (routing numbers do not change unless your bank merges with another bank).
What to do if you cannot find it
Call your bank's customer service line. The phone number is on the back of your debit card, on any bank statement you have received, or on your bank's website. When you call, tell the representative you need your routing number. Have your account number or the last four digits of your Social Security number ready — they may ask for one of these to confirm your identity.
You can also visit a branch in person and ask a teller for your routing number. Bring a photo ID and your debit card. This takes longer than a phone call, but it is an option if you prefer to handle it face-to-face.
If you recently opened an account and have not received checks yet, your bank may have included the routing number in the welcome packet or email they sent you. Check your email inbox and any paper materials that came with your debit card.
Why banks have different routing numbers
A routing number identifies the specific bank branch where your account is held, not the bank as a whole. Large banks with many branches may have different routing numbers for different regions or states. This is why it matters which branch you opened your account at — if you opened it at a Chase branch in New York, your routing number will be different from someone who opened an account at a Chase branch in California.
When you send money to someone using a wire transfer or set up automatic deposits, you need the routing number for the receiving bank's specific location. Using the wrong routing number can delay the transfer or send the money to the wrong place, which is why it is important to get the correct one for the branch you use.
Routing number versus account number
These are two different things, and you need both for most banking transactions. Your routing number identifies your bank and branch. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Think of the routing number as the address of the bank building, and the account number as your mailbox inside that building.
When you set up direct deposit at work, you will need to provide both numbers. When you give someone your banking information to send you money, you give them both. Your routing number is not secret — it is printed on every check you write — but your account number is more sensitive and should not be shared casually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank's main routing number?
Not always. Large banks have multiple routing numbers for different branches or regions. The routing number you need is the one for the specific branch where you opened your account. If you use the bank's main routing number and it is wrong for your branch, the transaction may fail or be delayed.
Can I use someone else's routing number if we bank at the same place?
Only if you both opened your accounts at the same branch. If you opened accounts at different branches of the same bank, your routing numbers may be different. Always use the routing number for the branch associated with your own account.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may change after a merger. Check your most recent statement or log into online banking to confirm your current routing number. If you have old checks from before the merger, do not rely on the routing number printed on them.
Do I need my routing number to use my debit card?
No. Your debit card works with just your card number and PIN. You only need your routing number for wire transfers, direct deposits, automatic bill payments, and other transactions where money moves between banks.
Is it safe to share my routing number?
Yes. Your routing number is not secret — it is printed on every check you write and is public information. However, never share your full account number with anyone you do not trust completely, as that combined with your routing number allows access to your account.