Bank of America checking accounts do not limit the number of checks you can write
You can write as many checks as you want from a Bank of America checking account without hitting a cap. There is no monthly limit, no per-check fee, and no restriction based on which account type you have. The only real constraint is the money in your account — you cannot write a check for more than your balance.
This is true across all of Bank of America's main checking products: the Basic Checking, Advantage Checking, and Advantage Plus Checking accounts. The difference between these accounts is not check-writing limits but rather monthly fees, minimum balances, and what perks come with them.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America does not charge per-check fees or enforce monthly limits on how many checks you write.
- All three main checking account types — Basic, Advantage, and Advantage Plus — allow unlimited check writing.
- You pay a monthly maintenance fee only if you do not meet your account's minimum balance or other fee-waiver requirements.
- Checks take three to five business days to clear after the recipient deposits them, so plan ahead if you are paying bills this way.
What happens when you write a check
When you write a check, you are instructing Bank of America to pay the amount from your account to whoever you made the check out to. The recipient has to deposit or cash it at their bank, which takes time. Bank of America does not deduct the money from your balance right away — it comes out once the check clears, usually three to five business days later.
This matters because you need to keep enough money in your account to cover the check when it does clear, not just when you write it. If you write a check for $500 but only have $400 in the account, the check will bounce even though you wrote it. Bank of America will charge you a non-sufficient funds fee (usually around $35, though this varies) and the recipient's bank will likely charge them a fee too.
Monthly fees and how to avoid them
Bank of America's checking accounts do charge monthly maintenance fees, but you can waive them. The fee is not about how many checks you write — it is about whether you meet the account's requirements.
For Basic Checking, the monthly fee is around $12, and you can waive it by keeping a $500 minimum balance or setting up direct deposit. For Advantage Checking, the fee is around $15, waived with a $1,500 minimum balance or direct deposit. Advantage Plus Checking costs around $20 per month, waived with a $2,500 minimum balance or direct deposit. These amounts and fees change, so check your account details or ask at a branch for current numbers.
Direct deposit is often the easiest way to waive the fee because it is automatic once you set it up. Your employer or benefit provider sends your paycheck straight to your account, and the fee disappears.
When check writing might cost you indirectly
Bank of America does not charge you per check, but writing many checks can cost you in other ways. If you fall below your account's minimum balance because you wrote several checks, you will pay the monthly maintenance fee. If a check bounces, you pay the non-sufficient funds fee.
Also, if you order checks from Bank of America, you pay for the checks themselves — usually a few dollars per box. You can order them through your online account or at a branch. Some people order checks from third-party printers instead, which is often cheaper.
Alternatives to writing checks
Many people write fewer checks now because other payment methods are faster and safer. Bank of America's debit card lets you pay when ready without waiting for a check to clear. You can also set up bill pay through your online account, which sends electronic payments to companies and people — no check needed, and it clears faster.
If you need to send money to a person rather than a business, you can use Zelle (which Bank of America offers through its app) to transfer money directly to their account in minutes. For larger or formal payments, checks are still useful, but for everyday bills and payments, electronic methods are usually simpler.
How to order checks and manage them
You can order checks through your Bank of America online account by logging in and going to the Checks section, or you can call customer service. You can also order them at any Bank of America branch. When you order, you choose the style and quantity — a standard box usually has 50 checks.
Keep your checkbook in a safe place and write down the check number and amount each time you write one, so you know what is pending. This helps you avoid overdrafts. You can also see pending checks in your online account — they show up before they clear so you know what money is on its way out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit to how many checks I can write per month?
No. Bank of America does not limit the number of checks you write per month or per year. You can write as many as you need as long as you have the money in your account to cover them.
Do I get charged for each check I write?
No per-check fee exists. You only pay the monthly maintenance fee for your account type if you do not meet the minimum balance or direct deposit requirement. The checks themselves cost money only if you order them from Bank of America or another printer.
What happens if I write a check and do not have enough money?
The check will bounce, and Bank of America will charge you a non-sufficient funds fee (usually around $35). The recipient's bank will also charge them a fee. The check will not clear, and the money will not leave your account.
Can I write a check to myself?
Yes. You can write a check to yourself and deposit it into another account, though this is rarely necessary now that electronic transfers exist. It takes the same three to five business days to clear as any other check.
Are checks safer than other payment methods?
Checks have some safety advantages — the recipient has to deposit them, and there is a paper trail. But they are slower than electronic payments and can be lost or stolen. For most everyday payments, debit cards or bill pay are faster and just as safe.