Your routing number is on your checks, your bank's website, and the Federal Reserve's database — you do not need to call or visit a branch

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which institution holds your account. When money moves between banks — whether you are setting up direct deposit, sending a wire transfer, or receiving a payment — that number is how the sending bank knows where to send it. You can find it three ways: printed on your checks, on your bank's website, or by searching the Federal Reserve's routing number database.

The fastest route depends on what you have in front of you right now. If you have a checkbook, the number is already there. If you do not, your bank's website will show it in seconds. If you are not sure which bank you use or you have moved and lost track, the Federal Reserve tool works without logging in.

Key Takeaways

  • Your routing number appears in the bottom left corner of any check from your account, printed as the first nine digits before your account number.
  • Log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, settings, or a section labeled "routing number" — most banks display it without requiring you to call.
  • The Federal Reserve maintains a free routing number search tool at frbservices.org where you can look up your bank's number by institution name and state.
  • Routing numbers are public information tied to your bank, not your specific account, so sharing one for direct deposit or wire transfer is safe.

Finding your routing number on a check

If you have a checkbook, your routing number is printed on every check. Look at the bottom left corner of the check. You will see three groups of numbers separated by colons or special symbols. The first group of nine digits is your routing number.

The layout is always the same: routing number (9 digits), then account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), then check number. The routing number never changes for your bank, even if you open a new account at the same institution. If you have checks from a different account at the same bank, the routing number will be identical.

Looking it up on your bank's website or app

Log into your bank's online account or mobile app. Most banks display your routing number in one of these locations: account details, account information, settings, or a section specifically labeled "routing number" or "bank details." The exact location varies by bank, but it is usually one click or tap away from your main account view.

If you cannot find it in those places, look for a link labeled "wire transfer information" or "direct deposit setup" — banks often show routing and account numbers together on pages where you would use them. If the website does not display it, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. They will give you the number over the phone without asking you to visit a branch.

Using the Federal Reserve routing number database

The Federal Reserve maintains a free, public routing number search tool at frbservices.org. Go to the site, select "Routing Number Lookup," and enter your bank's name and the state where your account is held. The tool will return your bank's routing number in seconds.

This method works even if you do not have online access to your bank account, have moved, or are not sure which bank you use. You do not need to log in or provide any personal information. The search is based on the bank's name and location, not your account details.

What to do if you have multiple accounts at different banks

Each bank has its own routing number. If you have a checking account at one bank and a savings account at another, each account uses its routing number for that bank. The routing number is tied to the institution, not to you or your specific account.

If you have multiple accounts at the same bank — say, a checking and savings account — they share the same routing number. You would use that one routing number for both accounts, but you would provide different account numbers to distinguish which account the money should go to.

Why your routing number is safe to share

Your routing number is public information. It is printed on every check you write, displayed on your bank's website, and listed in the Federal Reserve database. Sharing it for direct deposit, wire transfers, or other legitimate banking purposes carries no security risk on its own.

What you should never share is your full account number combined with your routing number, your PIN, or any password. A routing number alone tells someone which bank you use, but it does not let them access your account or move money without your account number and authorization. When you provide your routing number to set up direct deposit or receive a wire transfer, you are following standard banking procedure.

Routing numbers for different types of accounts

Your routing number is the same whether you have a checking account, savings account, money market account, or any other account type at that bank. The routing number identifies the bank; your account number identifies which account within that bank. Some larger banks operate multiple routing numbers for different regions or divisions, but for most people, one routing number covers all their accounts at that institution.

If you have accounts at a bank's different branches, they all use the same routing number. Routing numbers do not change by branch location — they are assigned to the entire bank or banking network.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. If you both have accounts at the same bank, you share the same routing number. You would use that routing number with your own account number to receive direct deposit or wire transfers. The routing number is not unique to you — it is unique to your bank.

What if my bank merged with another bank?

Your routing number may change after a merger, but your bank will notify you and update your account information. If you have direct deposit or automatic payments set up, contact your employer or the organization sending the payment to provide your new routing number. Your old checks will no longer work, so order new ones with the updated number.

Do I need a routing number to transfer money between my own accounts?

Not always. If both accounts are at the same bank, you can usually transfer money through your online banking portal without using a routing number. You only need a routing number when money is moving between different banks, or when you are setting up direct deposit from an employer or other outside source.

Is my routing number the same as my bank's SWIFT code?

No. Your routing number is used for domestic transfers within the United States. A SWIFT code (also called a BIC code) is used for international wire transfers. Your bank has both, but they are different codes for different purposes. Ask your bank for the SWIFT code if you are receiving money from outside the U.S.

What if the routing number I found does not work?

Double-check that you have the correct nine-digit number and that you entered it correctly — a single wrong digit will cause the transfer to fail. Verify the number against your checks or your bank's website. If the number is correct but the transfer still fails, contact your bank's customer service; the issue may be with how the receiving bank processed the request, not with the routing number itself.