Your account number is the second set of digits on the bottom left of your check

The bottom of a check shows three separate numbers in a specific order: the routing number on the far left, your account number in the middle, and the check number on the right. Your account number is usually 10 to 12 digits long and identifies your specific account at your bank. It is not the same as your routing number, which identifies the bank itself.

The account number appears in two places on a check: printed along the bottom in magnetic ink, and also printed in the upper right corner in regular ink. Both are the same number. The bottom version is machine-readable and is what banks use when they process the check. The top version is there for your reference.

You need to know where this number is because you will be asked for it when you set up direct deposit, authorize automatic payments, or receive wire transfers. Banks also ask for it when you call to dispute a transaction or report fraud. Having it memorized or easily accessible saves time and reduces the chance you will give the wrong number by accident.

Key Takeaways

  • Your account number is the middle set of digits printed on the bottom of your check, between the routing number and the check number.
  • Account numbers are typically 10 to 12 digits long and appear in both magnetic ink at the bottom and regular ink in the upper right corner.
  • You will need your account number to set up direct deposit, authorize automatic payments, and receive incoming wire transfers.
  • Never share your account number with someone who calls you unsolicited, even if they claim to be from your bank.

How the three numbers on the bottom of a check are arranged

The bottom of every check follows the same layout. Reading from left to right, you see the routing number first (nine digits), then your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), then the check number (usually four to five digits). Each number is separated by a special symbol that looks like a colon with extra marks around it. This symbol tells the bank's sorting machines where one number ends and the next begins.

The routing number tells the Federal Reserve and other banks which bank issued the check. Your account number tells that specific bank which account within the bank the money should come from. The check number is just a sequential identifier for that particular check so you and your bank can track it.

If you look at the upper right corner of the check, you will see the check number printed there in regular ink. If you look at the upper left, you will see your account number printed there as well, also in regular ink. These are duplicates of the numbers on the bottom—they are there so you can read them without needing special equipment to decode the magnetic ink.

Why banks print the account number in two places

The magnetic ink on the bottom of the check is called MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). When a check arrives at a bank's processing center, machines read these numbers at high speed and sort thousands of checks per hour. The MICR numbers have to be precise because a single digit wrong sends the money to the wrong account.

The printed numbers in the upper corners are for human readers—you, your bank teller, or anyone else who needs to verify the information without a machine. If you are filling out a form that asks for your account number, you can read it from either location. Most people find the upper left corner easier to read because it is in regular ink and larger font.

Some older checks or checks from smaller banks may have slightly different layouts, but the account number will always be in the middle of the three numbers on the bottom. If you are unsure which number is which, call your bank's customer service line and they can confirm it over the phone.

What to do if your account number is hard to read

If the numbers on your check are faded, smudged, or printed poorly, do not guess. Call your bank's customer service number (on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website) and ask them to read your account number to you. They will verify your identity first, then give you the correct number. This takes five minutes and prevents you from giving the wrong number to an employer, creditor, or service provider.

If you have lost your checks or do not have any on hand, your bank can still give you your account number. You can also find it on your monthly statement, on your debit card (some banks print it there), or in your online banking portal. Log into your account on your bank's website or app and look for account information or account details—your account number will be listed there.

Do not try to reconstruct or guess your account number. Banks use these numbers to move money, and a single digit wrong means the transaction goes to someone else's account. It is always safer to ask your bank directly than to rely on a check you cannot read clearly.

When you should and should not share your account number

You should share your account number with people and organizations you initiate contact with: your employer for direct deposit, your utility company for automatic bill payment, your mortgage lender, or your insurance company. In these cases, you are choosing to give them the number because you want them to take money from or send money to your account.

You should not share your account number with someone who calls you unsolicited, even if they say they are from your bank. Real banks do not call you asking for your account number. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank and asks for this information, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your debit card or statement. Scammers use unsolicited calls to collect account numbers so they can drain accounts or commit fraud.

You should also be cautious about sharing your account number on public Wi-Fi networks or with websites that do not use encryption. If you are setting up a payment online, look for a small padlock icon in the address bar—that means the connection is find. When in doubt, call the organization directly to verify they need the information before you provide it.

How account numbers differ from routing numbers

The routing number identifies your bank. The account number identifies your account at that bank. Think of it this way: the routing number is like the address of a post office, and the account number is like your mailbox number inside that post office. You need both to send money to someone's account.

Your routing number stays the same no matter which account you have at that bank. If you have a checking account and a savings account at the same bank, they share the same routing number but have different account numbers. If you move to a different bank, your routing number changes but your account number at the old bank becomes irrelevant.

When you set up direct deposit or authorize a wire transfer, you will be asked for both numbers. The routing number tells the sending bank where to send the money. The account number tells that bank which account to deposit it into. Getting either one wrong means the money goes to the wrong place.

What happens if you give someone the wrong account number

If you give an employer or service provider the wrong account number, the money they try to send you will either bounce back to them or go into someone else's account. If it goes into someone else's account, that person is not may have access to to keep it, and the bank can reverse the transaction once the error is discovered. This process usually takes a few days to a week.

If you realize you gave the wrong number, contact the organization when ready and provide the correct one. Ask them to cancel the original transaction if it has not yet been processed. Most employers and service providers can do this if you catch the error before the payment goes through. If the payment has already been sent, contact your bank and explain the situation—they can help trace where the money went and initiate a reversal.

For this reason, it is worth double-checking your account number before you give it to anyone. Read it out loud to yourself, then read it a second time. If you are writing it down, verify it matches what is on your check or statement. A few seconds of care prevents hours of frustration later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my account number the same as my debit card number?

No. Your debit card number is a separate 16-digit number printed on the front of your card. Your account number is 10 to 12 digits and appears on your checks and statements. They are linked to the same account, but they are different numbers. Never use your debit card number when someone asks for your account number.

Can someone steal money from my account if they know my account number?

They would also need your routing number and your bank's name to set up a transfer or automatic payment. Knowing only your account number is not enough to drain your account, but it is still information you should keep private. If you suspect someone has your account number, call your bank when ready and ask them to monitor the account for unauthorized activity.

What if I have multiple accounts at the same bank?

Each account has its own account number, even though they all share the same routing number. Your checks for your checking account will show one account number, and if you have a savings account, that number will be different. Make sure you are using the correct account number for the account you want money sent to or taken from.

Where do I find my account number if I do not have checks?

Log into your online banking portal or mobile app and look for account information or account details. Your account number will be listed there. You can also call your bank's customer service line, or visit a branch in person with your ID and they will provide it. Your monthly statement also shows your account number at the top.

Do I need both my routing number and account number to receive a wire transfer?

Yes. The person or organization sending you the wire will ask for both your routing number and your account number, plus your bank's name. Double-check both numbers before you give them out, because a wire transfer cannot be reversed once it is sent if the account number is wrong.