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
The routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which bank holds your account. You need it for direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH payments, and setting up automatic bill pay. It is not secret — your bank prints it on every check you own, and you can look it up in seconds online.
The fastest way to find it 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. The first nine digits are your routing number. If you do not have checks, your bank's website has it listed in the account details section, usually under "Account Information" or "Routing & Account Numbers." You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask — they will give it to you when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of every check you write, before your account number.
- You can find it on your bank's website by logging in and navigating to account details or settings.
- Calling your bank's customer service number gets you the answer in under a minute.
- The routing number is the same for all accounts at your bank in your state, so you only need to find it once.
- Different banks have different routing numbers, and some large banks have multiple routing numbers depending on which branch or state you opened the account in.
Check the bottom of your checks
If you have a checkbook, this is the quickest method. Open any check and look at the bottom left corner. You will see three groups of numbers separated by colons or vertical lines. The first group of nine digits is your routing number. The second group is your account number. The third group is the check number itself.
This works for any check from your account, whether it is a personal check, business check, or cashier's check from that bank. The routing number never changes for that account.
Log into your bank's website or app
Most banks display your routing number in the account details section. Log in to your online banking portal and look for a tab or menu labeled "Account Information," "Account Details," "Routing & Account Numbers," or "Wire Transfer Information." The routing number is usually listed right there alongside your account number.
If you cannot find it in the obvious places, try the settings or help section. Some banks hide it under "Transfer Money" or "Set Up Direct Deposit" because those are the most common reasons someone needs it. You can also search the page for the word "routing" using your browser's find function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Command+F on Mac).
Call your bank's customer service line
The phone number is on the back of your debit card, on your bank statements, or on the bank's website. Tell the representative you need your routing number. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually your account number, Social Security number, or the answer to a security question — and then give you the number when ready.
This method works even if you do not have online banking set up or do not have checks. It takes about two minutes total. Have a pen ready to write down the number, or ask the representative to repeat it twice so you can confirm it.
Use the Federal Reserve's routing number database
The Federal Reserve maintains a public database of routing numbers at frbservices.org. You can search by bank name and state to find the routing number. This is useful if you are setting up a transfer to someone else's account and need to verify their bank's routing number, or if you want to double-check that the number you found is correct.
Enter your bank's name and the state where you opened the account. The database will show you the routing number and confirm which bank it belongs to. This is a government resource and is free to use.
What to do if your bank has multiple routing numbers
Large banks like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo often have different routing numbers depending on which state you opened your account in or which branch you use. If you find one routing number but it does not seem right, ask your bank which routing number applies to your specific account.
The safest approach is to use the routing number printed on your checks or the one your bank gives you directly. If you are setting up a direct deposit or wire transfer, the receiving bank will reject the transfer if the routing number is wrong, so you will find out when ready if you have the wrong one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number the same as the account number?
No. The routing number identifies your bank. The account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both appear on the bottom of your checks — the routing number comes first (nine digits), then the account number (usually 10 to 12 digits).
Can I use someone else's routing number for a transfer?
Yes, as long as it is the correct routing number for their bank. The routing number is not private information — it is printed on every check. You need their routing number and account number to send them money via wire transfer or ACH payment.
What if I cannot find my routing number anywhere?
Call your bank's customer service line. They can confirm your routing number in under a minute. Have your account number or Social Security number ready so they can verify your identity.
Does my routing number change if I move to a different state?
Not usually, but it depends on your bank. Most banks keep the same routing number for your account even if you move. However, some large banks assign routing numbers by state, so if you opened your account in one state and move to another, you may need a new routing number. Ask your bank to confirm.
Why do I need a routing number for direct deposit?
Your employer or the organization sending you money needs to know which bank to send it to. The routing number tells the banking system which bank holds your account, and the account number tells them which account within that bank. Without both, the deposit cannot reach you.