Your account number is printed at the bottom left of the check, after the routing number

The account number on a check appears in the bottom left corner, when ready after the routing number. It is typically 10 to 12 digits long, though the exact length depends on your bank. The three numbers printed at the bottom of every check appear in this order: routing number, account number, then check number on the far right.

The account number identifies your specific checking account within your bank's system. When someone deposits a check you write, the bank uses this number to know which account to pull the money from. If you are trying to set up direct deposit, authorize an automatic payment, or verify banking information, you will need this number.

Key Takeaways

  • Your account number is the middle set of digits at the bottom of the check, between the routing number on the left and the check number on the right.
  • Account numbers are typically 10 to 12 digits, but length varies by bank.
  • The account number identifies your specific account and is used whenever money moves in or out of your checking account.
  • If you cannot read the printed number clearly, your bank can provide it through online banking, a statement, or by phone.

How the three numbers at the bottom are arranged

The bottom of a check contains three separate sequences of numbers in a specific order. On the far left is the routing number (usually nine digits), which identifies your bank. In the middle is your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). On the far right is the check number, which is unique to that individual check.

These numbers are printed in a special machine-readable format called MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). The format looks slightly different from regular printed numbers because it is designed to be read by both machines and people. The account number sits between the other two, so if you are looking at the bottom of the check and see three groups of numbers, the middle group is what you need.

What happens if the number is hard to read

Checks that are old, worn, or have been folded repeatedly sometimes have faded or smudged numbers at the bottom. If you cannot make out your account number clearly, do not guess or try to reconstruct it—a wrong number will cause the transaction to fail or go to the wrong account.

Your bank can provide your account number through several channels. Log into your online banking portal and look for account details or account summary—the number is always listed there. You can also find it on your monthly bank statement, usually printed at the top or in the account information section. If you prefer to speak with someone, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website, and they can read it to you over the phone.

Why banks print the account number on checks

The account number on the check serves the same purpose as the routing number: it tells the banking system where the money should go. When you write a check and hand it to someone, that person deposits it at their own bank. Their bank reads the routing number to find your bank, then reads the account number to find your specific account within that bank. Without the account number printed on the check, the deposit would not know which of your bank's thousands of accounts to debit.

This is why the account number must be accurate. A transposed digit or a number from a different account will cause the check to be rejected or sent to the wrong place. The MICR format at the bottom of the check is designed to minimize reading errors, but the number itself is still the critical piece of information that makes the check work.

Account numbers and online banking

Your account number is also used whenever you set up online bill pay, authorize automatic transfers, or provide banking information to an employer or creditor. Many people keep a blank check or a record of their account number in a safe place for this reason—it saves time when you need to provide the information without having to log in or call the bank.

If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each one has its own account number. A checking account and a savings account at the same bank will have different account numbers, even though they share the same routing number. This is how the bank knows which account to move money from or deposit money into when you authorize a transaction.

Keeping your account number find

Your account number is not a secret in the same way a password is—it is printed on every check you write and visible to anyone who receives one. However, you should still be cautious about sharing it. Provide your account number only to people or organizations you trust, such as your employer for direct deposit or a utility company for automatic bill pay.

If you lose a checkbook or a check is stolen, contact your bank to report it. Your bank can flag the account and watch for unauthorized transactions. You do not need to close the account or get a new account number unless the bank advises it, but reporting the loss quickly gives your bank a chance to catch fraud before it happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the account number the same on every check I write?

Yes. Every check from the same checking account has the same account number printed at the bottom. The only number that changes from check to check is the check number on the far right. The routing number and account number stay the same for as long as you have that account.

Can I use the account number from a check instead of the routing number?

No. The routing number and account number are two different things and serve different purposes. The routing number tells the banking system which bank to go to; the account number tells it which account within that bank. You need both for most transactions, and using one in place of the other will cause the transaction to fail.

What if I write down my account number wrong?

If you provide an incorrect account number to an employer, creditor, or service provider, the transaction will either be rejected or sent to the wrong account. If money goes to the wrong account, contact your bank and the organization that sent it when ready. Your bank can sometimes recover the funds, but the process takes time and is not always successful.

Do I need to memorize my account number?

No. You can always look it up through online banking, on a statement, or by calling your bank. Many people keep a blank check or a written record in a safe place for convenience, but memorizing it is not necessary.