Your routing number is on your checks, in your bank's website, or one phone call away
Your bank routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the financial system which bank to send money to. You need it for direct deposits, wire transfers, and ACH payments—the electronic transfers that move money between accounts. The fastest way to find it is to look at the bottom left of any check you have. If you don't have checks or can't find them, your bank's website has it in the account details section, usually under "Account Information" or "Routing & Account Numbers". If neither of those works, call your bank's customer service line and they'll give it to you in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears at the bottom left of any personal check, before your account number.
- Most banks display routing numbers in the online banking portal under account details or settings.
- You can call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card to get your routing number when ready.
- Routing numbers are specific to the bank branch or region, so different branches of the same bank may have different routing numbers.
- The routing number is public information—sharing it is safe, and it's needed by employers, lenders, and other institutions to send you money.
Check the bottom of your checks
If you have a checkbook, the routing number is printed at the bottom left of every check. It's the first nine-digit number you see, before your account number. The format is always nine digits with no letters or symbols.
The three numbers at the bottom of a check appear in this order: routing number, account number, check number. If you're looking at a check and see three separate groups of numbers at the bottom, the leftmost group is your routing number.
Log into your bank's website or app
Most banks display your routing number in the online banking portal. Log in and look for a section called "Account Information," "Account Details," "Routing & Account Numbers," or "Wire Transfer Information." The routing number is usually listed alongside your account number.
The exact location varies by bank. Some banks put it on the main account dashboard. Others hide it one or two clicks deeper—try the settings menu or the page where you'd set up a transfer to another bank. If you can't find it after a few clicks, move to the phone call option instead of spending time searching.
Call your bank's customer service line
The fastest method if you're stuck is to call your bank directly. The phone number is on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell the representative you need your routing number, and they'll give it to you when ready. They may ask you to verify your identity with your account number or Social Security number.
Customer service is usually available during business hours and sometimes 24/7, depending on the bank. You don't need to explain why you need it—routing numbers are public information, and banks give them out routinely.
Use the Federal Reserve's routing number database
The Federal Reserve maintains a public database of routing numbers at frbservices.org. You can search by bank name and state to find the routing number for your specific branch. This is useful if you've switched banks and can't remember which one you used, or if you need a routing number for a bank you don't currently use.
The search is straightforward: enter your bank name and the state where your branch is located, and the database returns the routing number. This method works for any bank in the United States, not just your own.
Understand why routing numbers vary by location
A single bank may have multiple routing numbers depending on which region or branch processes your account. A Chase branch in New York might have a different routing number than a Chase branch in California. When you look up your routing number, make sure you're getting the one for your specific branch, not just any branch of that bank.
If you're setting up a direct deposit or wire transfer, use the routing number for the branch where you opened your account or where your account is currently held. If you're unsure which branch that is, your online banking portal or a call to customer service will clarify.
What to do if you can't find your routing number
If you've checked your checks, searched your online banking, and can't reach customer service, you have two backup options. First, ask your employer or the institution requesting the routing number if they can look it up for you—many payroll systems and payment processors have access to routing number databases. Second, use the Federal Reserve database mentioned above, which works for any U.S. bank.
You should never need to pay for a routing number or provide personal information beyond what your bank already has on file. If a website or person asks you to pay to find your routing number, that's a scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to give someone my routing number?
Yes. Your routing number is public information and is necessary for employers, lenders, and other institutions to send you money. Sharing it alone does not put your account at risk. However, never share your routing number along with your account number and other personal details to someone you don't trust, as that combination could allow unauthorized access.
Do I need a different routing number for each type of transfer?
No. The same routing number works for direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH payments, and any other electronic transfer method. You only need one routing number per account.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may have changed after a merger. Check your most recent statement or log into your online banking to see the current routing number. If you're unsure, call customer service—they'll confirm whether your routing number changed and provide the correct one.
Can I use any routing number from my bank, or does it have to be from my specific branch?
Use the routing number for the branch where your account is held. If you use a different branch's routing number, the transfer may be delayed or rejected. Your online banking portal or a call to customer service will confirm which branch processes your account.