Your routing number is on the bottom left of your checks, in your bank's website, or by calling your bank
The easiest place to find your routing number depends on what you have in front of you right now. If you have a checkbook, look at the bottom left corner of any check — you will see nine digits printed there. That is your routing number. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app, go to your account details or settings, and look for "routing number" or "ABA number" (they mean the same thing). If neither of those works, call your bank's customer service line — the number is on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website — and they will give it to you in under a minute.
Your routing number is specific to your bank and the location where you opened the account. It does not change unless you move your account to a different bank or a different branch of the same bank. You will need this number whenever you set up direct deposit, arrange a wire transfer, or authorize automatic payments from your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check you have, printed as a nine-digit code.
- You can find it online by logging into your bank's website or app and looking in your account details or settings section.
- Calling your bank's customer service number will get you your routing number within minutes if you cannot locate it another way.
- Your routing number is tied to your specific bank and branch, not to you personally, so it stays the same as long as your account remains at that bank.
Finding it on a check
If you have a checkbook, this is the fastest method. Open any check and look at the bottom of the page. You will see three groups of numbers. The first group on the left, always nine digits long, is your routing number. The middle group is your account number. The third group on the right is the check number.
The routing number is always printed in the same position on every check from your bank, so you only need to look at one. If your checks are very old or faded, the numbers may be hard to read — in that case, move to one of the other methods below.
Finding it online through your bank
Log into your bank's website using your username and password. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Account Details," "Account Information," "Settings," or sometimes just "My Accounts." The routing number is usually listed near your account number.
If you use your bank's mobile app instead of the website, the process is the same. Open the app, sign in, and navigate to your account details. Some banks put this information on your main account view; others require you to tap into a specific account and then look for an "info" or "details" button.
If you cannot find it in those places, look for a section labeled "Wire Transfer Information" or "Direct Deposit Setup" — banks often display the routing number there because that is where customers need it most.
Finding it by calling your bank
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. When someone answers, tell them you need your routing number. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually by providing your account number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.
Once you are verified, they will read your routing number to you. Write it down or ask them to repeat it so you have it correct. This process takes less than five minutes and works even if you do not have online access or a checkbook.
Understanding what your routing number does
Your routing number is a code that tells the banking system which bank and which branch holds your account. When you set up direct deposit with an employer, the employer uses your routing number and account number together to send your paycheck to the right place. When you arrange a wire transfer, the routing number directs the money to your bank. When you set up automatic bill payments, your bank uses the routing number to know where to pull the money from.
Because the routing number identifies your bank, not you, it is the same for everyone who banks at that institution in that location. You can share your routing number freely — it is not secret the way a password is. However, you should not share your full account number with people you do not trust, because your routing number plus your account number together can be used to move money from your account.
What to do if you cannot find your routing number
If you have tried checking your checks, logging into your bank's website, and calling customer service without success, the problem is usually that you are looking in the wrong place online or the call did not connect to the right department. Try calling again and specifically ask for "routing number" or "ABA number" — some customer service representatives may not when ready know what you mean if you say "the nine-digit code at the bottom of my check."
Another option is to visit your bank in person. Bring your debit card or a piece of mail showing your account number, and any teller can write down your routing number for you. This also works if you have an account at a credit union instead of a bank — the process is identical.
Routing number versus account number
These two numbers work together but do different jobs. Your routing number identifies your bank and branch. Your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. When you set up direct deposit or a wire transfer, you need both numbers. On a check, the routing number is on the left, and the account number is in the middle.
If you are filling out a form that asks for one or the other, read the label carefully. Some forms ask for routing number only, some ask for account number only, and some ask for both. Putting the wrong number in the wrong field can cause a transfer to fail or go to the wrong place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same at every branch of my bank?
Not always. Large banks sometimes have different routing numbers for different regions or branches. If you opened your account at one branch and now bank at another, check your most recent statement or ask your bank to confirm you have the right routing number for the branch you use now.
Can I use someone else's routing number to send them money?
Yes. If you want to send money to someone else's account, you need their routing number and account number. You can ask them for these numbers directly — they are not secret. However, make sure you have the correct account number, because the routing number plus account number together determine where the money goes.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
When banks merge, routing numbers sometimes change. Check your most recent statement or log into your online banking to see your current routing number. If you are unsure, call your bank and confirm — using an old routing number after a merger can cause transfers to fail.
Do I need my routing number to use my debit card?
No. Your debit card works with just your card number, expiration date, and CVV code. You only need your routing number when you are setting up direct deposit, arranging a wire transfer, or authorizing automatic payments from your account.
Can my routing number change if I move to a different state?
Only if you move your account to a different bank or a different branch in a different region. If you keep the same account at the same bank, your routing number stays the same even if you move. If you switch banks, your new bank will have a different routing number.