A bank account number is 8 to 12 digits, printed on your checks and visible in your online banking portal
Your account number is a string of digits that identifies your specific account at your bank. It is not the same as your routing number, which identifies the bank itself. The account number tells the bank which of its thousands of accounts should receive or send money.
On a physical check, the account number appears in the bottom right section, after the routing number. In your online banking portal or mobile app, it is usually listed under account details or account information. Your bank statement also shows it at the top or bottom of the page.
The length varies by bank. Most account numbers are between 8 and 12 digits long, though some banks use fewer and others use more. Chase account numbers are typically 10 digits. Bank of America uses 10 digits. Wells Fargo uses 10 digits. Smaller regional banks may use 8 or 9. The exact length depends on how the bank's internal system was built, not on any federal standard.
Key Takeaways
- Account numbers are 8 to 12 digits and identify your specific account within a bank, separate from the routing number that identifies the bank itself.
- You can find your account number on the bottom of a check, in your online banking portal, or on your bank statement.
- The number is safe to share for incoming transfers, but you should not give it to someone you do not trust or who contacted you unexpectedly.
- Account numbers look like plain numbers with no letters, dashes, or special characters, though some banks may format them with spaces when displaying them.
Where to find your account number on a check
If you have a checkbook, the account number is printed at the bottom of every check. The bottom of a check contains three separate numbers in this order: the routing number on the left (9 digits), the account number in the middle (usually 10 digits), and the check number on the right (usually 3 or 4 digits).
The account number sits between the routing number and the check number. It is the longest of the three numbers in that row. If you are looking at a check and unsure which number is which, the routing number always comes first on the left, and the account number always comes second in the middle.
Not all checks are printed the same way. Some banks print the numbers in a slightly different order or format, but the account number is always the middle number of the three at the bottom. If you cannot read the numbers clearly, you can call your bank or log into your online account to confirm.
How to find your account number online
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a section called "Account Details," "Account Information," or "My Accounts." Your account number will be displayed there, usually at the top of the page or in a summary box.
Some banks also show your account number on your bank statement, either at the very top or at the bottom of the first page. If you have set up direct deposit or automatic payments, the confirmation email from your bank will include your account number.
If you cannot find it in any of these places, call your bank's customer service line. They can confirm your account number over the phone after verifying your identity. You do not need to provide your account number to the bank to ask for it — they already know who you are when you call from a registered phone number or after you answer security questions.
What account numbers look like across different banks
Account numbers are always digits only — no letters, no dashes, no special characters. A typical account number looks like this: 1234567890. Some banks display them with spaces for readability, like 1234 5678 90, but the actual number contains no spaces.
The length varies. A Chase account number might be 0123456789 (10 digits). A Bank of America account might be 123456789012 (12 digits). A smaller regional bank might use 8 digits. There is no universal standard, so do not assume your account number is a certain length just because someone else's is.
The first digit or first few digits sometimes indicate the type of account — checking versus savings, for example — but this is internal to the bank and not something you need to decode. The account number is straightforward an identifier, and the bank's system knows what type of account it is.
When and how to share your account number safely
You can safely share your account number with someone who needs to send you money — an employer setting up direct deposit, a person paying you back, or a company you are paying. Sharing the account number alone does not allow someone to withdraw money from your account.
To withdraw money, someone would need your account number and your routing number and authorization from you or the bank. A scammer cannot empty your account with just the account number. However, you should still be cautious about who you give it to.
Do not share your account number with someone who called you unexpectedly, emailed you asking for it, or contacted you through social media. Legitimate companies and government agencies do not ask for account numbers this way. If you are unsure whether a request is real, hang up or close the message and call the organization directly using a phone number from their official website.
The difference between account number and routing number
Your routing number identifies the bank or credit union itself. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Think of it this way: the routing number is the bank's address, and the account number is your mailbox at that address.
The routing number is the same for all customers of a bank (or sometimes varies by branch, but all customers at a branch share the same routing number). Your account number is unique to you. No one else at your bank has your account number.
When you set up a direct deposit or an automatic payment, you provide both numbers. The routing number tells the system which bank to go to, and the account number tells the bank which account within that bank should receive or send the money.
What happens if you give someone the wrong account number
If you provide an incorrect account number for a transfer, the money will go to the wrong account — either to another customer at the same bank or it will be rejected. The sending bank will not know the account number is wrong until the receiving bank rejects it.
If the money goes to another customer's account by mistake, the receiving bank will eventually catch the error and return the funds to the sender. This can take several days or even weeks. The customer who received the money by mistake is not may have access to to keep it.
To avoid this, double-check the account number before you provide it. Ask the person or company to confirm it back to you. If you are setting up a recurring payment, most banks allow you to make a small test deposit first to verify the account number is correct before you authorize larger amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my account number the same as my card number?
No. Your card number is the 16-digit number on the front of your debit or credit card. Your account number is separate and is not printed on the card. You can have multiple cards linked to the same account, so the card number and account number are different identifiers.
Can someone steal money with just my account number?
Not without additional information and authorization. A scammer would need your account number, your routing number, and permission from you or the bank to withdraw money. Sharing your account number alone for a legitimate transfer is safe.
Why do different banks use different account number lengths?
Banks built their internal systems at different times with different technology. There is no federal requirement for account number length, so each bank chose a length that works for its system. The variation does not affect how transfers work.
What if I cannot find my account number anywhere?
Call your bank's customer service line. They can tell you your account number after verifying your identity. You can also visit a branch in person with your ID and ask a teller to write it down for you.
Do I need my account number to log into online banking?
No. You log in with your username and password or through your bank's app. Your account number is not used for login security. Once you are logged in, you can see your account number in the account details section.