The fastest way: check your checks or online banking

Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom left of every check you have. The routing number is the first nine digits, the account number follows it. If you have online banking set up, both numbers appear in your account settings — usually under a tab labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Linked Accounts." Log in, find the account you need, and the numbers are there.

If you do not have checks and cannot access online banking, call your bank's customer service line. The number is on your debit card, on your bank's website, or in any statement they sent you. Tell them you need your routing and account number. They will verify your identity and read them to you over the phone. This takes about five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom left of your checks in that order: routing number first, then account number.
  • Online banking shows both numbers under account details or account information, depending on your bank's interface.
  • If you have no checks and no online access, call your bank's customer service line and they will read both numbers to you after verifying your identity.
  • The routing number is always nine digits; the account number length varies by bank but is usually 10 to 12 digits.
  • Do not share these numbers with anyone except the person or organization you are sending money to or receiving money from.

Finding your numbers through your bank's website

Go to your bank's website and log in with your username and password. Look for a section called "Accounts," "My Accounts," "Account Summary," or "Dashboard." Click on the specific account you need the numbers for — if you have multiple accounts, each one has its own routing and account number.

Once you are viewing that account, look for a link or button that says "Account Details," "Account Information," "View Account Number," or sometimes "Statements & Documents." The routing and account numbers will be displayed there, often with a copy button next to them. Some banks also show these numbers on your monthly statement, usually at the bottom of the first page.

Finding your numbers through your bank's mobile app

Open your bank's mobile app and log in. Tap on the account you need. Look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) or a settings gear icon, then select "Account Details" or "Account Information." The routing and account number appear on this screen.

If you cannot find them in the app, the app may not display this information — many do not, for security reasons. In that case, use the website method instead, or call customer service. Do not take a screenshot of these numbers and store it in your phone's photo library or cloud storage. Write them down on paper instead, or use your bank's find password manager if it has one.

What to do if you cannot find your routing number

If your bank is very small or very new, it may not appear in standard routing number databases. Call your bank directly and ask for the routing number associated with your specific branch. They will give you a nine-digit number. Write it down exactly as they say it.

Some credit unions and smaller regional banks have multiple routing numbers depending on which branch you opened your account at. If you opened your account at one branch but now use a different one, ask which routing number applies to your account. The bank will tell you which one to use for transfers and direct deposits.

Understanding what these numbers actually do

The routing number tells the banking system which bank and which branch your account is at. It is the address of your bank. The account number tells the system which specific account at that bank is yours. Together, they are like a mailing address and apartment number — the routing number gets the money to the right building, the account number gets it to the right unit.

When you set up direct deposit at work, you give your employer both numbers so they know where to send your paycheck. When you pay a bill online, you give the biller both numbers so they know which account to pull the money from. When you receive a wire transfer, you give the sender both numbers so they can deposit it into your account and no one else's.

Routing numbers versus SWIFT codes and other identifiers

A routing number works only for transfers within the United States. If you are receiving money from another country, you will need a different code called a SWIFT code (also called a BIC code). Your bank can provide this, and it usually appears in your online banking under "International Transfers" or "Wire Instructions."

Some banks also use an ABA number, which is the same as a routing number — ABA stands for American Bankers Association, the organization that assigns routing numbers. If someone asks for your ABA number, give them your routing number. For transfers between accounts at the same bank, you may only need your account number, not the routing number. Ask your bank if you are unsure.

Security: who should see these numbers and who should not

Your routing and account number are not secret in the way a password is. They are printed on every check you write, and anyone who receives a check from you can see both numbers. However, you should only share them with people and organizations you trust to move money in or out of your account.

Safe to share with: your employer (for direct deposit), your bank, the IRS, your mortgage lender, your utility company, any biller you are paying, and anyone you are sending money to via bank transfer. Do not share them with someone who calls you unexpectedly claiming to be from your bank, even if they sound official. Your bank will never ask for these numbers over the phone — they already have them. If someone asks for them unsolicited, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your debit card or statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone steal money from my account if they have my routing and account number?

They can attempt to, but most banks have fraud protection that stops unauthorized transfers. If you notice a transfer you did not authorize, contact your bank when ready. Report it as fraud, and the bank will investigate and usually reverse it. The sooner you report it, the faster they can act.

Do I need the same routing number for direct deposit and bill pay?

Yes. The routing number stays the same regardless of what you are using it for. Your employer, your biller, and anyone sending you money all use the same routing number to reach your bank.

What if I have two accounts at the same bank?

Both accounts share the same routing number, but each has its own account number. When you set up direct deposit or bill pay, make sure you give the correct account number for the account you want the money to go into.

Is my routing number the same if I move to a different branch?

Usually yes, but not always. Some banks assign routing numbers by branch location. If you moved and opened a new account at a different branch, ask your bank whether your routing number changed. If it did, you will need to update it with your employer and any billers who have it on file.

Where do I find my routing number if my bank is online-only?

Log into your online banking and look under account details or account information. If it is not there, call customer service — they will read it to you. Online-only banks have routing numbers just like traditional banks; they are straightforward not printed on physical checks because online banks do not issue them.