Your routing number is on the bottom left of your checks, in your bank's online portal, or one phone call away
The routing number for your savings account is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which bank holds your money. You need it when someone sends you money by wire transfer, when you set up automatic bill payments, or when you move money between banks. The fastest way to find it is to look at the bottom left corner of any check from your account — the first nine digits are your routing number. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card, or visit your bank branch in person.
Your routing number is not secret and is safe to share with employers, bill payment services, and anyone sending you money. However, never share it together with your account number, PIN, or online banking password at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears as the first nine digits on the bottom left of any check from your savings account.
- You can find your routing number by logging into your bank's website or mobile app under account details or settings.
- Calling your bank's customer service line or visiting a branch will give you your routing number within minutes.
- Your routing number is the same for all accounts at that bank, but different banks have different routing numbers.
- The routing number is not secret — it is safe to share with employers, bill payment services, and anyone sending you money.
Finding your routing number on a check
If you have a checkbook for your savings account, the routing number is printed at the bottom of every check. Look at the very bottom left corner. You will see three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines. The first group of nine digits is your routing number. The second group is your account number. The third group is the check number itself.
This method works only if your checks are from the same bank and account you are asking about. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, they all share the same routing number, but each has its own account number. If you switched banks or opened a new account, the routing number may be different.
Looking it up online or in your bank's app
Most banks display your routing number in their online banking portal or mobile app. Log in with your username and password, then look for a section called "Account Details," "Account Information," "Settings," or "Manage Accounts." The routing number is usually listed alongside your account number. Some banks put it on the main dashboard; others require you to click into a specific account to see it.
If you cannot find it in the obvious places, use the search function in your bank's app or website and search for "routing number." You can also look for a "Wire Transfer Instructions" or "Direct Deposit" page — these pages almost always display your routing number because people need it for those transactions.
Calling your bank or visiting a branch
The phone number for your bank's customer service is on the back of your debit card, on your monthly statement, or on the bank's website. Call and tell them you need your savings account routing number. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually by providing your account number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account. They will then read your routing number to you over the phone.
If you prefer to speak to someone in person, walk into any branch of your bank during business hours. Bring a photo ID and your debit card. A teller can print your routing number for you or write it down on a piece of paper. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Understanding routing numbers across different banks
Each bank has its own routing number, and some large banks have more than one. If you have accounts at two different banks, each account will have a different routing number. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they share the same routing number.
Routing numbers are assigned by the American Bankers Association and are tied to the physical location where your account is held, not to you personally. This is why a bank with branches in multiple states might have different routing numbers for different regions. If you are unsure whether your routing number is correct, you can search for it on the American Bankers Association website or call your bank to confirm.
Why you need your routing number and when to use it
You will need your routing number whenever money is being sent to your account from outside your bank. Common situations include setting up direct deposit for your paycheck, arranging automatic bill payments, receiving a wire transfer, or transferring money from another bank. You will also need it if someone is sending you money through a peer-to-peer payment service that requires bank details rather than just a username.
You do not need your routing number to withdraw money from your own account, to check your balance, or to make purchases with your debit card. You only need it when money is moving into your account from somewhere else, or when you are moving money out to a different bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same for checking and savings accounts?
Yes, if both accounts are at the same bank. All accounts at one bank share the same routing number. Each account has its own separate account number, but the routing number stays the same.
What if I cannot find my routing number anywhere?
Call your bank's customer service number — it is on the back of your debit card or on your monthly statement. They can give you your routing number over the phone after you verify your identity. You can also visit a branch in person with your ID and debit card.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. If someone gives you their routing number and account number, you can use those to send them money by wire transfer or automatic payment. You do not need their permission or password — just their routing and account numbers.
Do I need my routing number to use my debit card?
No. Your routing number is only needed when money is being sent into your account from outside your bank, or when you are moving money to a different bank. You do not need it to make purchases, withdraw cash, or check your balance.
What is the difference between a routing number and an account number?
Your routing number identifies which bank holds your account. Your account number identifies which specific account at that bank is yours. Together, they tell the banking system exactly where to send money. You need both for wire transfers and direct deposits.