Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it on your bank's website or by calling customer service
A routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which bank holds your account. You need it when you set up direct deposit at work, arrange automatic bill payments, or receive a wire transfer. The fastest way to find it is to look at a check from your account — the routing number is the first set of numbers on the bottom left, before your account number.
If you don't have checks or prefer not to use them, your bank's website usually displays your routing number in the account details section. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number — they'll give it to you in seconds. Some banks print it on statements too, though not all do.
Key Takeaways
- The routing number appears on the bottom left of your checks, before your account number.
- You can find your routing number on your bank's website under account details or settings.
- Calling your bank's customer service line is the quickest way if you don't have checks or online access.
- Your routing number is specific to your bank and branch, not to you personally — many customers at the same bank share the same routing number.
- The routing number is safe to share; it only works with your account number to move money in or out.
Finding it on a check
Look at the bottom of any check from your account. You'll see three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines. The first group — always nine digits — is your routing number. The second group is your account number. The third is the check number.
If the numbers are hard to read, the routing number always comes first. It's printed in a special magnetic ink that banking machines can read, which is why it looks slightly different from the other numbers on the check.
Finding it online
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a section called "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Settings." Most banks display your routing number alongside your account number in this section. The exact location varies — some banks put it on the main account page, while others hide it under a menu.
If you can't find it online, your bank's website usually has a search box. Type "routing number" and it will take you to a page explaining how to find yours. Some banks also list routing numbers by branch, so you may need to know which branch your account is held at.
Calling your bank directly
Pick up the phone and call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell them you need your routing number. They'll ask you to verify your identity — usually by providing your account number, Social Security number, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.
This method takes about five minutes and is completely safe. The person on the phone will read your routing number to you, and you can ask them to repeat it or spell it out if needed. Write it down or take a photo of your notes so you have it when you need it.
Understanding the nine digits
The routing number is always exactly nine digits — no letters, no hyphens. If someone gives you a number that's longer or shorter, it's not a routing number. The first four digits identify your bank. The next four identify your specific branch. The last digit is a check digit that the banking system uses to make sure the number wasn't typed wrong.
You don't need to understand what each digit means. You just need to copy all nine correctly when you use it. One wrong digit will send money to the wrong place or cause a transfer to fail.
When you need it and when you don't
You'll need your routing number when you set up direct deposit for a paycheck, arrange automatic payments to a credit card or loan, or receive money from someone else's bank account. You don't need it to pay someone with a debit card, withdraw cash, or check your balance.
If someone asks for your routing number and account number together, they're asking for permission to move money from your account. Make sure you trust them before you share both numbers. The routing number alone is not sensitive — it's public information — but it only works when paired with your specific account number.
What to do if you can't find it
If you've looked on checks, online, and can't reach customer service, visit your bank in person with your ID. A teller can write down your routing number in seconds. You can also search online for "[Your Bank Name] routing number" — most banks publish a list of routing numbers by branch on their website or on banking reference sites.
If you're using an online bank that doesn't have physical branches, the routing number is always on the website. Online banks are required to display it clearly because many customers don't have checks. If you still can't find it, email their customer service — they respond within a business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my account number?
No. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both appear on your checks, but in different positions. You need both to move money in or out of your account.
Can I use someone else's routing number if we bank at the same place?
Yes, if you both use the same branch. Many customers at the same bank share the same routing number. But you must use the correct account number for the person whose account you're sending money to, or it will go to the wrong person.
What if I have multiple accounts at the same bank?
All your accounts at the same branch share the same routing number. Your account number is what tells the bank which of your accounts to use. When you set up a transfer or direct deposit, you provide the routing number plus the specific account number for the account you want to use.
Is it safe to give out my routing number?
Yes. Your routing number is not secret — it's printed on every check you write and published on your bank's website. Someone needs both your routing number and your account number to move money from your account, so sharing just the routing number is safe.
Do I need a different routing number for wire transfers?
Usually no — the same routing number works for direct deposits, automatic payments, and wire transfers. Some large banks have different routing numbers for different types of transfers, so ask your bank if you're sending a wire. They'll tell you if you need a different number.