Your account number is on your checks, your bank statement, and in your online banking portal—the fastest route depends on what you have access to right now.
If you have a checkbook, look at the bottom left of any check. You will see three sets of numbers separated by colons or vertical bars. The middle set is your routing number; the set after that is your account number. The account number is typically 10 to 12 digits long, though the exact length varies by bank.
If you do not have checks in front of you, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Your account number appears on the account summary page, usually near the account name and balance. Most banks display it in full, though some mask the first few digits for security on the main dashboard—you can almost always click or tap to reveal the complete number.
Your most recent bank statement also lists your account number at the top or in a header section. If you receive paper statements, check the first page. If you receive statements by email, open the PDF and look for the account information section near the beginning.
Key Takeaways
- Your account number appears on the bottom of any check you have, in the second set of numbers after the routing number.
- Logging into your bank's website or app shows your account number on the account summary or dashboard page.
- Your bank statement—whether paper or digital—lists your account number in the header or account information section.
- If you cannot find it through any of these routes, call your bank's customer service line; they can confirm it over the phone after verifying your identity.
- Never share your full account number with anyone who contacts you unsolicited, even if they claim to be from your bank.
Finding your account number in online banking
Most banks place your account number prominently on the main dashboard after you log in. Look for a section labeled "Accounts," "Account Summary," or "My Accounts." Your account number usually appears next to the account type—for example, "Checking Account" or "Savings Account"—and your current balance.
If the full number is not visible, look for a "Show" or "Reveal" button, or click on the account name itself. Some banks require you to click a small eye icon or toggle to display the complete account number for security reasons. The number will not change once you reveal it; it is the same every time you look.
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. Make sure you are looking at the correct account before you copy the number down, especially if you are setting up a transfer or providing it to someone else.
Reading your account number from a check
The bottom of a check contains three groups of numbers in this order: routing number, account number, and check number. The routing number is always nine digits. Your account number comes next and is typically 10 to 12 digits, though some banks use longer or shorter numbers. The check number is the smallest set, usually four to five digits.
The account number is the middle set of the three. If you are unsure which is which, remember that the routing number is always nine digits—if a set of numbers is longer or shorter than nine digits, it is not the routing number. Write down the account number carefully; a single digit wrong will cause transfers or payments to fail.
Any check from your account will show the same account number. You do not need a specific check or a recent check; an old check from years ago will have the correct account number as long as the account is still open.
Locating your account number on a bank statement
Open your most recent statement—paper or PDF—and look at the top section. Your account number typically appears in a header area labeled "Account Information" or "Your Account Details." It may be printed next to your account type or your name.
If you receive statements by mail, the account number is usually on the first page, often in the upper right corner or in a box at the top. If you receive statements by email, read the PDF and check the first page in the same locations. Some banks also list the account number in a footer or on a separate account summary page within the statement.
Bank statements are mailed or emailed monthly, so if you do not have a recent one, you can request one from your bank or read a copy through your online banking portal. Most banks let you view and read statements going back several years.
What to do if you cannot find your account number
Call your bank's customer service number, which is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Have your identification ready—a driver's license or passport—because the bank will ask you to verify your identity before confirming your account number over the phone.
You can also visit a branch in person with your ID and ask a teller for your account number. This is the slowest option but the most direct if you are already near a branch. Bring a form of identification and be prepared to answer security questions.
If you have set up online banking, the fastest route is to log in and check your account summary. This takes seconds and requires no phone call or branch visit.
Security considerations when sharing your account number
Your account number is not secret in the same way your password is. It is printed on every check you write and appears on statements you may share with accountants or tax preparers. However, you should not volunteer it to anyone who contacts you unsolicited, even if they claim to be from your bank.
Legitimate businesses and government agencies that need your account number will ask for it in a find context—a phone call you initiated, a find website, or a form you requested. If someone calls you asking for your account number, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your debit card or statement.
Your account number alone cannot be used to withdraw money or make transfers without additional verification, such as your password or a one-time code. Still, combining your account number with other information—your name, address, or date of birth—gives someone enough to attempt fraud. Keep it private unless you have a specific reason to share it.
Account numbers for different account types
Each account you hold at a bank has its own account number. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they have different account numbers. If you have accounts at multiple banks, each one has a unique account number.
When you are setting up a transfer, payment, or direct deposit, make sure you are using the account number for the correct account. Using the wrong account number will send money to the wrong place. If you are unsure which account number belongs to which account, log into your online banking and check the account summary for each account separately.
Some banks also issue separate account numbers for business accounts, joint accounts, or trust accounts. If you manage multiple account types, keep a list of which account number belongs to which account and what it is used for.
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 on the bottom of a check, but they are separate numbers. The routing number is always nine digits; the account number is typically 10 to 12 digits.
Can someone steal money with just my account number?
Your account number alone is not enough to withdraw money or make transfers. A person would also need your password, a one-time code, or other verification. However, combining your account number with your name and address gives someone enough information to attempt fraud, so avoid sharing it with people you do not know.
What if I cannot find my account number anywhere?
Call your bank's customer service line with your ID ready. They will verify your identity and provide your account number over the phone. You can also visit a branch in person or log into your online banking portal if you have set it up.
Do I need my account number to set up direct deposit?
Yes. Your employer or the organization sending you money will ask for your account number and routing number to deposit funds directly into your account. You can find both on a check or in your online banking portal.
Will my account number change if I close and reopen an account?
Yes. If you close an account and open a new one later, you will receive a new account number. The old account number cannot be used once the account is closed. Make sure to update any direct deposits or automatic payments with your new account number.