Your account number is printed at the bottom left of your check, after the routing number
Look at the bottom of any check. You will see a series of numbers printed in magnetic ink. Reading from left to right, the first set of numbers is your routing number (nine digits). when ready after that comes your account number, which is usually between 10 and 12 digits long. The account number is the second group of numbers you encounter when you read left to right along that bottom line.
The account number identifies your specific account at your bank. The routing number identifies which bank you use. Together, they tell any business or person exactly where to send money when you give them a check.
You may also see a third set of numbers at the bottom right — that is the check number, which is different from your account number. Check numbers are just for your own record-keeping and do not identify your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your account number appears at the bottom left of your check, in the second group of numbers after the routing number.
- Account numbers are typically 10 to 12 digits long and printed in magnetic ink at the bottom of the check.
- The account number stays the same across all your checks from the same account.
- You can also find your account number on your bank statement, your debit card, or by logging into your online banking.
Why the order matters when you read the bottom of a check
Banks print the numbers in a specific order because machines read them automatically. When you deposit a check or send a check to someone, their bank's machine scans that bottom line and reads the numbers in order: routing number first, then account number, then check number. If you give someone your account number without your routing number, they cannot process a payment.
This is why banks always ask for both numbers together when you set up a payment or direct deposit. The routing number routes the money to the right bank. The account number routes it to the right account within that bank.
Other places to find your account number if you do not have a check
If you do not have a check in front of you, your account number appears in several other places. Your bank statement — whether you get it by mail or view it online — shows your account number at the top or in the account details section. Your debit card also has your account number printed on it, usually on the front below your name.
The easiest method is to log into your online banking. Your account number is almost always visible on the main dashboard or in the account settings. You can also call your bank's customer service line and give them your name and identifying information, and they will read your account number to you over the phone.
What your account number does and does not tell people
Your account number identifies which account is yours, but it does not give someone access to your money by itself. To actually move money, a person needs both your routing number and your account number, and they need to know what type of transaction you have authorized. straightforward knowing your account number is not enough to withdraw funds or make unauthorized transfers.
That said, you should not share your account number with people you do not trust. If someone has both your routing number and account number, they can set up automatic payments from your account if you have given them permission to do so. Always verify who is asking for this information and why before you provide it.
How to read the magnetic ink line if the numbers are hard to see
Sometimes the numbers at the bottom of a check are faint or smudged, especially on older checks or ones that have been handled a lot. If you cannot read them clearly, hold the check up to a light source. The magnetic ink is designed to be readable by machines even when it looks faint to the human eye.
If the numbers are still not clear, you can request a replacement check from your bank, or straightforward use one of the other methods listed above to find your account number. Your bank can also print a new set of checks for you if your current ones are too worn to read.
The difference between your account number and your routing number
These two numbers work together but do different jobs. Your routing number is the same for everyone who banks at your branch or bank. It identifies the financial institution itself. Your account number is unique to you — no one else at your bank has the same account number.
Think of it like an address. The routing number is like the city and state — it tells you which bank. The account number is like the house number on the street — it tells you which specific account within that bank. You need both pieces of information for any transaction that moves money between accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my account number the same on every check I have?
Yes. Every check from the same 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 right side. If you close an account and open a new one, your new account will have a different account number.
Can someone steal money if they only know my account number?
Not by itself. They would also need your routing number and your authorization to move money. However, you should still keep your account number private because it is one of the two pieces of information needed for a transaction. Only share it with people and businesses you trust.
What if I cannot find the numbers at the bottom of my check?
Check that you are looking at the very bottom of the check in the white space below any printed text. The numbers are always printed there in a special magnetic ink. If they are still not visible, contact your bank — they may have printed your checks incorrectly, or you may have a very old check where the ink has faded.
Do I need my account number to deposit a check?
No. When you deposit a check into your own account, you only need to sign the back and provide it to your bank. Your bank already knows your account number. You would need to provide your account number if you were depositing a check into someone else's account or setting up a direct deposit from an employer.