Where the routing and account numbers sit on your check
The routing number and account number are printed at the bottom left of every check, in a specific order that banks use to process payments. You will see three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines or colons. The first group is your routing number — nine digits that identify your bank or credit union. The second group is your account number — usually between 10 and 12 digits that identify your specific account at that bank. The third group, which may be shorter, is the check number.
The numbers are printed in a special magnetic ink called MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition), which is why they look slightly different from the printed check number in the top right corner. This magnetic ink allows sorting machines to read the numbers at high speed when checks move through the banking system.
If you look at the bottom of your check from left to right, you will see the pattern: routing number | account number | check number. The routing number always comes first, and it is always nine digits long. The account number comes second and is longer.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number is the first nine-digit group at the bottom left of your check and identifies which bank or credit union holds your account.
- The account number is the second group of digits and identifies your specific account within that bank.
- The check number appears both at the bottom left (in the MICR line) and in the top right corner of the check.
- You need both the routing number and account number to set up direct deposit, wire transfers, or automatic bill payments.
Why banks print them in this order
The routing number comes first because it tells the sorting machine which bank to send the check to. When a check moves through the Federal Reserve or a clearing house, the first thing the system needs to know is the destination bank. Once the check arrives at your bank, the account number tells the teller or computer which account within that bank should receive the funds.
This two-step process — bank first, then account — is the same whether a check is processed by hand or by machine. A teller reading a check manually will look at the routing number to know where to send it, then the account number to know where to post the money once it arrives. A sorting machine reads the same numbers in the same order, just much faster.
The check number comes last because it is for your own record-keeping. You write it in your checkbook register to track which checks you have written and when. The bank uses it to match the physical check to your account history if there is ever a question about a payment.
How to tell routing numbers apart from account numbers
The routing number is always exactly nine digits. If you count the first group of numbers at the bottom left and get nine, that is your routing number. The account number is always longer — typically 10 to 12 digits, though some banks use more. If you count the second group and get more than nine digits, that is your account number.
The position also matters. The routing number is always the leftmost group in the MICR line. If you are unsure which number is which, count from the left: the first group of digits you encounter is the routing number, the second group is the account number.
One way to double-check: your bank's routing number is the same on every check you have from that bank. Your account number is the same on every check from your account. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each account will have a different account number but the same routing number. If you have accounts at different banks, each bank will have a different routing number.
What happens when you give someone your routing and account number
When you provide your routing and account number to set up direct deposit, make a bill payment, or receive a wire transfer, you are giving the other party the information they need to move money into your account. The routing number tells their bank where to send the money. The account number tells your bank which account to deposit it into.
This is why you can safely share your routing and account number — they are printed on every check you write, and they are not secret. Anyone who receives a check from you already has both numbers. What you should not share is the check number itself, because that is tied to a specific payment you have already authorized.
If you are setting up a payment online and the form asks for "bank routing number" and "account number," those are the two numbers from the bottom of your check. Some forms may also ask for the account type — checking or savings — which you will know from your account agreement with your bank.
Reading checks from different banks
The layout of the MICR line is the same on checks from every bank in the United States, so the position of the routing and account numbers never changes. However, the numbers themselves are different for each bank and each account. A check from a Wells Fargo checking account will have a different routing number than a check from a Chase checking account, and both will be different from a credit union routing number.
Some banks print additional information on the check — the bank name, your name, your address — but the routing and account numbers in the MICR line at the bottom are what the banking system actually reads. The other printed information is for human reference only.
If you have a check from a bank you do not recognize, you can look up the routing number online to find out which bank it belongs to. The Federal Reserve maintains a database of routing numbers, and many banking websites have routing number lookup tools. This is useful if you receive a check from an employer or vendor and need to verify it is legitimate.
When you need these numbers and when you do not
You need your routing and account number when you are receiving money into your account — for direct deposit from an employer, a wire transfer from another person, or an automatic bill payment from a service you subscribe to. You also need them if you are setting up a payment from your account to another account at a different bank.
You do not need these numbers when you are writing a check to someone else. The person receiving the check does not need your routing and account number to cash it — they only need the check itself. The routing and account numbers on the check tell the banking system where to pull the money from, not where to send it.
If someone asks you for your routing and account number and you are not sure why, ask them what they need it for. Legitimate uses are direct deposit, wire transfers, and automatic payments. If they cannot explain a clear reason, do not provide the numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone use my routing and account number to steal money from my account?
Your routing and account number alone cannot be used to withdraw money from your account. A thief would also need your signature or access to your online banking login. However, someone with these numbers could attempt to set up an unauthorized automatic payment or direct deposit, which is why you should monitor your account regularly and report any suspicious activity to your bank when ready.
What if I cannot find the MICR numbers on my check?
If the numbers at the bottom of your check are faint or damaged, contact your bank directly. They can provide your routing number and account number over the phone or through your online banking portal. You can also log into your bank's website — most banks display both numbers in the account information section.
Are routing numbers the same for all accounts at my bank?
Yes. Every account at the same bank branch or bank system shares the same routing number. Your account number is what distinguishes your account from other accounts at that bank. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they will have the same routing number but different account numbers.
Do I need the check number for direct deposit or wire transfers?
No. Direct deposit and wire transfers only require your routing number and account number. The check number is for your personal record-keeping and is not used by the banking system for these types of transfers.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may change after a merger, and your bank will send you new checks with the updated routing number. You should update any automatic payments or direct deposit arrangements with your new routing number. Your account number typically stays the same, but check with your bank to be sure.