The fastest way to find your routing number
Your bank's routing number is printed on the bottom left of every check you have. If you have a checkbook, open it and look at the first check — you will see nine digits in the bottom left corner, before your account number. That 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 bank statement) and ask for your routing number. They will give it to you in under a minute.
If you need it right now and cannot reach your bank by phone, you can also find it online. Log into your bank's website or app, go to the account details or settings section, and look for "routing number" or "bank routing number." Most banks display it alongside your account number. Some banks call it an "ABA number" — that is the same thing.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is the nine-digit code printed on the bottom left of your checks, before your account number.
- If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number — they will provide it when ready.
- You can also find your routing number by logging into your bank's website or mobile app and checking your account details.
- The routing number belongs to your bank, not to you — all customers at the same bank branch share the same routing number.
- Different branches of the same bank may have different routing numbers, so make sure you have the number for your specific branch.
Why banks have routing numbers
A routing number tells the banking system which bank to send money to. When you set up a direct deposit from your employer, or when someone sends you money through their bank, the routing number is how the system knows which bank holds your account. Without it, the money would not know where to go.
Think of it like a mailing address for your bank. Your account number is like your apartment number — it identifies you within the building. The routing number is the street address — it identifies which building the money needs to reach. Both pieces of information together tell the banking system exactly where your money should land.
Where routing numbers appear
The most common place to find your routing number is at the bottom of your checks. The nine digits on the far left, before your account number, are your routing number. The format is always the same: three digits, then three more digits, then three more digits.
If you bank online, log in and look for "account details," "account information," or "settings." Most banks put the routing number right next to your account number. Some banks also print it on your bank statement, usually near the top or in a section labeled "account information."
If you have a debit card, the routing number is not printed on the card itself — you will need to use one of the other methods. The same is true for savings accounts: the routing number does not appear on the account, only in the places listed above.
What to do if you cannot find it online
Call your bank's customer service number. You can find this number on your debit card, on your bank statement, or by searching "[Your Bank Name] customer service" online. When you call, tell them you need your routing number. Have your account number ready, though most banks will ask for it just to confirm they are talking to the right person.
If you bank at a large national bank like Bank of America, Chase, or Wells Fargo, you can also search for your routing number on the bank's website. Most large banks have a "routing number lookup" tool where you enter your state and branch location, and it returns your routing number. This works if you know which branch your account is with.
Routing numbers for different types of accounts
Your checking account and savings account at the same bank usually share the same routing number. The routing number identifies the bank and branch, not the type of account. So if you have both a checking and savings account at the same branch, you will use the same routing number for both.
However, if you have accounts at different branches of the same bank, the routing numbers may be different. For example, a Chase branch in New York might have a different routing number than a Chase branch in California. Always use the routing number for the branch where your account is held, not just any branch of your bank.
When you need your routing number
You will need your routing number when you set up direct deposit with your employer, when you arrange for automatic bill payments from your bank account, or when someone sends you money through their bank's transfer system. You may also need it if you are opening a new account and want to transfer money from another bank.
Some online payment services ask for your routing number and account number to pull money from your bank account. Before you give out this information, make sure you trust the service and that it is a legitimate company. Your bank will never ask you for your routing number — they already have it.
Keeping your routing number safe
Your routing number is not secret information — it is printed on every check you write, and anyone who sees your check will know it. However, your routing number alone cannot be used to take money from your account. Someone would need both your routing number and your account number to do that.
Your account number is the one you should protect. Do not share your account number with people you do not trust. Your routing number is safe to share with your employer, your bank, or any service you are using to receive money or pay bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank's code?
Your routing number and your bank's code are the same thing. Banks call it a routing number, an ABA number, or a bank code — they all refer to the same nine-digit number. Some countries use different terms, but in the United States, these three names mean the same thing.
Do I need a different routing number for each account I have?
No. All accounts you hold at the same bank branch share the same routing number. If you have a checking account, savings account, and money market account at the same branch, they all use the same routing number. The routing number identifies your bank and branch, not your individual account.
Can I use any routing number from my bank, or does it have to be for my specific branch?
You should use the routing number for your specific branch. While some banks accept a main routing number for any branch, using your branch's routing number is more reliable and faster. If you are unsure, call your bank and ask for the routing number for your branch.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
If your bank merged, your routing number may have changed. Call your bank or check your most recent statement to confirm. Your bank will have sent you information about the merger and any changes to your account details, but it is worth confirming before you set up direct deposit or automatic payments.
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my routing number?
No. A routing number alone is not enough to take money from your account. Someone would need both your routing number and your account number, plus authorization to move the money. Your routing number is printed on your checks and is not considered confidential information.