Your account number is the second set of digits at the bottom of the check
The bottom of a check has three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines. Reading left to right, they are: the routing number (9 digits), your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), and the check number (3 to 4 digits). Your account number is always in the middle.
The account number identifies which specific account at your bank the check is drawn from. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank — a checking account and a savings account, for example — each one has its own account number. The routing number stays the same for all your accounts at that bank, but the account number changes.
You can also find your account number on your bank statement, your debit card, or by logging into your online banking. But if you have a check in front of you, the bottom of the check is the fastest place to look.
Key Takeaways
- Your account number is the middle set of digits at the bottom of a check, between the routing number on the left and the check number on the right.
- Account numbers are usually 10 to 12 digits long, though the exact length varies by bank.
- You can also find your account number on your bank statement, in your online banking portal, or by calling your bank.
- Each account you hold at a bank has its own account number, even if they share the same routing number.
How to read the numbers at the bottom of a check
The bottom left of a check shows the routing number first. This is a 9-digit code that tells the banking system which bank issued the check. Next to it, separated by a vertical line, is your account number. Then comes the check number on the far right.
The numbers are printed in a special magnetic ink that machines can read automatically. This is why the formatting matters — the order and spacing tell the banking system what each number means. If you are writing down your account number by hand, copy it exactly as it appears, including any leading zeros.
Some checks print the account number in a slightly different position or format depending on the bank, but the middle position between the routing number and check number is standard across almost all U.S. banks.
Why you might need your account number
You will need your account number when you set up direct deposit for a paycheck or government payment, when you arrange automatic bill payments, or when you give someone permission to withdraw money from your account. Banks and employers ask for both the routing number and account number together so they can find the exact account to deposit into or withdraw from.
If you are receiving a wire transfer or an ACH transfer (a common way to move money between banks), you will provide your account number to the person or organization sending the money. Without it, the money could go to the wrong account or the wrong bank.
Finding your account number if you do not have a check
If you do not have a check in front of you, your bank statement shows your account number at the top or in a summary section. Log into your online banking and look for "Account Details" or "Account Information" — your account number will be listed there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and they will read it to you over the phone.
Your debit card does not print your account number on it, but your bank can tell you the account number associated with that card if you call and verify your identity.
What to do if you cannot read the numbers clearly
If the numbers at the bottom of a check are faded, smudged, or hard to read, do not guess. Call your bank and give them the check number (the small number in the top right corner of the check). They can look up that check in their system and tell you the routing number and account number associated with it.
If you are trying to set up a payment or transfer and you cannot read your own check clearly, it is faster to log into your online banking or call your bank directly than to spend time squinting at the check.
Keeping your account number find
Your account number is not secret in the same way a password is — it appears on every check you write, and anyone who receives a check from you can see it. However, you should not share your account number with people you do not trust, because someone with your account number and routing number can set up unauthorized withdrawals from your account.
If you are giving your account number to a business or person, make sure you know who they are and that the request is legitimate. Scammers sometimes call or email asking for account numbers under false pretenses. Your bank will never ask you for your account number by email or unsolicited phone call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my account number the same as my routing number?
No. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both appear at the bottom of your check, but in different positions. You need both numbers to set up direct deposit or transfers.
Can someone withdraw money from my account if they have my account number?
They would need both your account number and your routing number, and they would still need to set up the withdrawal through a bank or payment system. Having just the account number alone is not enough to take money. Still, do not share it with people you do not trust.
Why are there different numbers on the front and back of my check?
The numbers on the front (printed in regular ink) are for people to read. The numbers on the bottom (in magnetic ink) are for machines to read during processing. They should match, but the machine-readable version at the bottom is what the banking system uses.
What if my account number is longer or shorter than 10 to 12 digits?
Some banks use account numbers that are slightly longer or shorter. Copy whatever number appears in the middle position at the bottom of your check. If you are unsure whether you have copied it correctly, call your bank to confirm.