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, call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or your bank statement — and tell them you need your routing number. They will give it to you in under a minute.

Your routing number is specific to the branch or region where you opened your account, not to you personally. If you move to a different state or switch branches, your routing number may change. The number stays the same as long as you keep the account at that location.

Key Takeaways

  • Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check from your account, before your account number.
  • You can call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number — they will provide it when ready.
  • Your routing number is tied to your bank branch or region, not to your individual account.
  • If you switch banks or move your account to a different branch, you will need to confirm your new routing number.
  • Online banking portals and bank websites often display your routing number in the account details section.

Finding your routing number on a paper check

Look at the bottom of any check from your account. You will see three groups of numbers. The first group on the left, always nine digits, is your routing number. The middle group is your account number. The third group on the right is the check number.

The routing number is printed in a special magnetic ink that sorting machines can read. It tells the banking system which bank and which branch processed the check. Even if you have not used checks in years, one old check will show you the number you need.

Calling your bank directly

Pick up the phone and call the customer service number on the back of your debit card, on a recent bank statement, or on your bank's website. Tell the representative you need your routing number. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number — and then provide the number when ready.

This method works even if you have never received checks or if your checks are old and you are not sure they are still valid. The routing number does not change unless you close the account or move it to a different branch, so the representative will give you the same number every time you call.

Checking your online banking portal

Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a section labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Routing and Account Numbers." Most banks display both numbers in one place. The location varies by bank — some put it on the main dashboard, others hide it under settings or account management.

If you cannot find it in the obvious places, use the search function within the app or website and search for "routing number." If your bank does not display it online, call customer service instead. Some smaller banks and credit unions do not publish this information in their digital platforms.

What to do if you cannot find your routing number

If you have no checks, cannot reach your bank by phone, and your online portal does not show the number, you can search for it using your bank's name and your state on the Federal Reserve's routing number database. Go to the Federal Reserve's website, select "Fedwire Directory" or use their routing number lookup tool, and enter your bank name and location. The database will return your routing number.

You can also visit your bank's physical branch in person and ask a teller for your routing number. Bring your ID and your account number if you have it. This is the slowest option but works if all other methods fail.

Routing numbers for different account types at the same bank

Most banks use the same routing number for all account types — checking, savings, money market — at the same branch. However, some large banks assign different routing numbers to different regions or divisions. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank in different states, each account may have a different routing number.

The safest approach is to confirm the routing number for the specific account you are using. If you are setting up a direct deposit or wire transfer, use the routing number from a check or statement for that exact account, not a number you used for a different account at the same bank years ago.

Why your routing number matters

Your routing number tells the banking system where to send money when someone deposits a check into your account, sets up direct deposit, or sends you a wire transfer. Without the correct routing number, the money goes to the wrong bank or the wrong branch, and the transfer fails or takes weeks to reverse.

Your account number identifies which specific account at that bank receives the money. Together, the routing number and account number form a complete address for your money. That is why both numbers appear on every check — they are the instructions for where the money goes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my routing number the same as my bank's main routing number?

Not always. Large banks often have multiple routing numbers for different regions or divisions. Your routing number is specific to the branch or region where you opened your account. If you are unsure, use the number from your check or call your bank to confirm.

Can I use someone else's routing number if we bank at the same place?

Only if you both have accounts at the exact same branch. If your friend's account is at a different branch or region of the same bank, their routing number may be different from yours. Always use the routing number for your own account.

What if my check shows a routing number that is different from what my bank told me?

Call your bank again and ask them to confirm the number. Checks can be old or from a closed account. Your bank's customer service line will give you the correct routing number for your current account. Use the number from your bank, not from an old check.

Do I need my routing number to check my account balance or pay bills online?

No. You only need your routing number when someone else is sending money to your account — direct deposit, wire transfers, or ACH payments from another bank. For logging in or paying bills through your bank's own website, you use your username and password instead.

Will my routing number change if I move to a different state?

Only if you move your account to a branch in the new state. If you keep the same account at your original branch, the routing number stays the same even if you move. If you open a new account at a branch in your new state, that account will have a different routing number.