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 financial system which bank holds your account. You need it when you set up direct deposit, arrange wire transfers, or authorize automatic payments. It is not secret — it is printed on every check you write, and your bank publishes it publicly.
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 a routing number lookup tool, usually under "Customer Service" or "Banking Information." You can also call your bank's main customer service line and ask directly — they will give you the number in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check you own, before your account number.
- Your bank's website has a routing number search tool that works by branch location, since some large banks have different routing numbers for different regions.
- If you are setting up direct deposit or a wire transfer, confirm the routing number with your bank before submitting it, because a wrong digit sends money to the wrong institution.
- Your routing number is public information — it is safe to share it with employers, government agencies, or anyone who needs to send you money.
Where to look: checks, online, or by phone
If you have a checkbook in front of you, open it and look at the bottom of any check. You will see three groups of numbers. The first group, on the far left, is your routing number. It is always nine digits. Write it down or take a photo.
If you do not have checks or cannot find them, go to your bank's website. Most banks have a "Routing Number Lookup" tool or a page called "Banking Information" or "Customer Service." You will usually enter your state and sometimes your branch location, and the tool will show you the routing number. Some banks list it directly on the login page after you sign in.
If the website is not working or you cannot find the tool, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Tell them you need your routing number. They will confirm your identity with a few security questions and give you the number over the phone.
Why large banks sometimes have multiple routing numbers
If you bank with a large national institution like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, or Chase, your routing number depends on which state your account was opened in or which branch you use. The same bank can have 10 or 20 different routing numbers across the country. This matters because if you enter the wrong one, your money goes to the wrong regional processing center and causes delays.
When you look up your routing number online, the bank's tool will ask you for your state or branch. Answer accurately. If you opened your account in Ohio but moved to Texas, use the routing number for the state where the account was opened, not where you live now. Your bank statement also shows your routing number — it is printed at the bottom of the page along with your account number.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you give an employer or government agency the wrong routing number, the direct deposit will fail. Your paycheck or benefit payment will bounce back to the sender, and you will not receive the money on the expected date. The sender will then contact you to ask for the correct number, and the payment will be resubmitted. This usually adds three to five business days to when you receive the money.
If you authorize an automatic payment with the wrong routing number, the payment may go to the wrong bank and be rejected, or it may sit in a holding account while the banks sort out where it belongs. Contact your bank when ready if you realize you used the wrong number. They can sometimes stop the transaction before it processes, or they can help you trace where the money went.
Confirming your routing number before you submit it
Before you give your routing number to an employer, a government agency, or any organization that will send you money, confirm it one more time. Call your bank or check your statement. A single wrong digit can send your money to the wrong place, and fixing it takes time you may not have if you are waiting for a paycheck or a benefit payment.
Write down both your routing number and your account number together, but keep them in a safe place. Your routing number is public and safe to share. Your account number is more sensitive — only give it to people and organizations you trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank's main routing number?
Not always. Large banks have multiple routing numbers by region or branch. Your personal routing number is the one tied to your specific account, which you can find on your checks or statement. Use that one, not a general bank number you might find online.
Can I use someone else's routing number if we bank at the same place?
No. Each account has its own routing number tied to the branch or region where it was opened. Using someone else's routing number will send the money to their account, not yours. Always use the routing number for your own account.
What if my bank merged with another bank?
Your routing number may have changed. Check your most recent bank statement or call customer service to confirm. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up under an old routing number, contact the organizations involved and update them with the new one.
Do I need my routing number to log into my bank account online?
No. You only need your username and password to log in. Your routing number is used for incoming and outgoing transfers — direct deposit, wire transfers, and automatic bill payments. You do not need it for everyday banking.