Your routing number is on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank and ask
The fastest way is to look at a check from your account. The nine-digit number on the bottom left corner, before your account number, is your routing number. If you do not have checks or they are packed away, call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or your bank statement — and give them your account number. They will read it to you in seconds.
If you need it right now and cannot reach your bank by phone, your bank's website usually has a routing number lookup tool. Log in to your online banking account, go to the settings or account information section, and look for "routing number" or "bank details." Some banks display it directly on the dashboard.
The routing number belongs to your specific branch or banking region, not to you personally. If you move or switch branches, your routing number may change. Always confirm the number with your bank before you use it for a wire transfer or direct deposit setup, because using the wrong routing number will send money to the wrong place.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is the nine-digit code on the bottom left of your checks, before your account number.
- Calling your bank's customer service line and providing your account number will get you the routing number in under a minute.
- Your bank's website login usually shows your routing number in the account information or settings section.
- Routing numbers are tied to your branch or region, so confirm the number with your bank before using it for transfers or direct deposit.
Finding it through your bank's website
Log in to your online banking account and look for a section labeled "Account Information," "Account Details," "Settings," or "Profile." The routing number is usually listed alongside your account number. Some banks put it on the main dashboard under "My Accounts" — you may need to click on the specific account to see the full details.
If you cannot find it on the main pages, try the "Help" or "FAQ" section of your bank's website. Many banks have a dedicated routing number lookup tool where you enter your account number or select your branch from a list. This tool is often faster than digging through account settings.
Mobile banking apps sometimes hide the routing number in a less obvious place. Open the app, go to your account details, and look for a link that says "View account details" or "More information." If it is not there, the website version of your bank's login usually shows it more clearly than the app.
Calling your bank directly
The customer service number is on the back of your debit card, on your monthly statement, or on your bank's website. When you call, have your account number ready — you may need to provide it for security purposes. Tell the representative you need your routing number, and they will give it to you when ready.
If you are calling from a phone number that is not registered with your account, the bank may ask you to verify your identity with your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions. This takes a few extra minutes but is a standard security step.
Bank customer service lines are usually open during business hours, Monday through Friday, and sometimes on Saturday mornings. If you call outside those hours, you may reach an automated system that can direct you to the routing number lookup tool or tell you when a representative will be available.
Reading the routing number from a check
Look at the bottom of any check from your account. You will see three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines. The first group of nine digits is your routing number. The second group is your account number. The third group is the check number.
The routing number is always nine digits, no more and no less. If you see a different number of digits, you are looking at the wrong code. The routing number identifies the bank or credit union and the specific branch or region where your account is held.
If your checks are old or from a different branch, the routing number may have changed. Banks sometimes consolidate branches or update their routing infrastructure. Always confirm the routing number with your bank before using it, especially if your checks are more than a few years old.
What to do if you cannot find it
If you do not have checks, cannot access your online account, and cannot reach your bank by phone, you can search for your bank's routing number on the Federal Reserve's website. Go to the Fed's routing number lookup tool, enter your bank name and state, and it will show you the routing number for that institution. This works for most banks and credit unions in the United States.
Keep in mind that the Federal Reserve's tool shows the main routing number for your bank, which may not be the same as the routing number for your specific branch. If you are setting up direct deposit or a wire transfer, always use the number your bank gives you, not the one from a public database.
If you are with a smaller credit union or a regional bank, the routing number lookup may take longer. In that case, calling the bank directly is usually faster than searching online.
Why your routing number matters
Your routing number tells the banking system where to send money when someone pays you by direct deposit, automatic bill payment, or wire transfer. Without the correct routing number, the money goes to the wrong bank or the wrong branch, and it can take days or weeks to recover it.
The routing number is not secret or sensitive information — it is printed on every check you write, and banks publish it publicly. You can share it freely without risk. Your account number, by contrast, should be kept private because it identifies your specific account.
Different accounts at the same bank may have different routing numbers if they are held at different branches or if the bank has reorganized its routing structure. Always double-check that you have the routing number for the specific account you are using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my account number?
No. Your routing number is nine digits and identifies your bank or branch. Your account number is separate and identifies your specific account. Both appear on the bottom of your checks, with the routing number on the left and the account number in the middle.
Can I use the routing number from an old check?
Usually yes, but not always. Banks sometimes change routing numbers when they merge, consolidate branches, or reorganize their systems. Before you use a routing number from an old check, confirm it with your bank to make sure it is still current.
What if I give someone the wrong routing number?
The money will be sent to the wrong bank or branch. It will not reach your account, and the sender will need to contact their bank to trace and recover it. This can take several days. Always confirm your routing number with your bank before giving it out for direct deposit or wire transfers.
Do I need a different routing number for each account I have?
Not necessarily. If you have multiple accounts at the same branch, they usually share the same routing number. If your accounts are at different branches or different banks, they will have different routing numbers. Check with your bank if you are unsure.
Where do I find my routing number if I bank online only?
Log in to your online banking account and look for account information or settings. If you cannot find it there, call the bank's customer service number from your account statements or the bank's website. Online-only banks display routing numbers the same way traditional banks do.