Where to find your routing number on paper and online
Your routing number is printed at the bottom left of every check your bank gives you. If you have checks, look at the first set of nine digits on the bottom of any check — that is your routing number. The account number comes after it.
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 section, often under "Account Information" or "Account Settings". Some banks call it the "ABA number" or "transit number" instead of routing number — these all mean the same thing.
You can also call your bank's customer service line, which is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Have your account number ready when you call, and they will give you the routing number in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is the nine-digit code at the bottom left of your checks, before your account number.
- If you do not have checks, log into your online banking account and look under Account Information or Account Settings.
- Your bank's customer service line can tell you your routing number over the phone if you have your account number ready.
- The routing number is specific to your bank and branch, not to you personally — many customers at the same bank share the same routing number.
Why banks use routing numbers
A routing number tells the banking system which bank and which branch holds your account. When you set up a direct deposit from your employer, or when someone sends you money through an ACH transfer (a common way to move money between banks), the routing number directs that money to the right place.
Without a routing number, the system would not know whether you bank at a large national chain or a small credit union across town. The routing number is like a postal code for your bank — it narrows down where your money needs to go.
The difference between routing number and account number
These two numbers work together but do different jobs. Your routing number identifies your bank. Your account number identifies you as an individual customer at that bank. Think of it this way: the routing number is the bank's address, and the account number is your mailbox at that address.
You need both numbers when you set up direct deposit, request a wire transfer, or give someone permission to withdraw money from your account. If you give only the routing number, the bank knows which institution to contact but not which account to use. If you give only the account number, the bank does not know which institution you mean.
What to do if your bank has multiple routing numbers
Large banks sometimes have different routing numbers for different regions or for different types of transactions. If you call your bank and get one routing number, but you see a different number online, ask which one to use for your specific situation — direct deposit, wire transfers, and ACH payments sometimes use different routing numbers at the same bank.
The safest approach is to tell your bank what you are trying to do (set up direct deposit, receive a wire transfer, etc.) and ask for the routing number that applies to that specific transaction. This takes 30 seconds on the phone and prevents mistakes.
Routing numbers for online banks and credit unions
If you bank with an online-only institution or a credit union, the process is the same — you can find the routing number in your online account or by calling customer service. Online banks do not mail checks by default, so many customers never see their routing number printed anywhere. Log into your account and search for "routing number" or "ABA number" in the help section or account details.
Credit unions use routing numbers just like traditional banks do. If you are not sure whether your institution is a credit union or a bank, your account statements or debit card will say which one it is.
Protecting your routing number
Your routing number is not secret information — it is printed on every check you write and is visible to anyone who sees your checks. However, you should not share your full account number with people you do not trust. A routing number alone cannot be used to withdraw money from your account, but a routing number plus an account number can be.
When you give out your routing and account numbers (for direct deposit from your employer, for example), you are giving permission for money to move in and out of that account. Only share these numbers with organizations you trust, and only for transactions you have started yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for all my accounts at the same bank?
Usually yes. Most customers at the same bank branch share the same routing number, even if they have a checking account, savings account, and money market account. The routing number identifies the bank; your account number identifies which specific account within that bank.
Can I use someone else's routing number if we bank at the same place?
Yes, as long as you use your own account number with it. The routing number just directs the money to the right bank. Your account number tells the bank which account to deposit into. If you use the correct routing number but the wrong account number, the money goes to the wrong person.
What if I cannot find my routing number anywhere?
Call your bank's customer service number, which is on your debit card, your statements, or your bank's website. Have your account number ready. They will give you the routing number in under a minute. You can also visit your bank in person with your ID and ask — they will write it down for you.
Do I need my routing number to check my balance or pay a bill?
No. You need your routing number only when money is moving between banks or when you are setting up a new way for money to enter or leave your account. Checking your balance, paying bills within your own bank, or transferring money between your own accounts does not require a routing number.