Bank of America routing numbers depend on which state your account is in
A routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which branch or processing center handles your account. Bank of America uses different routing numbers for different states because the company processes accounts through regional centers.
If you have a Bank of America checking or savings account, your routing number appears on the bottom left of your checks — it's the first set of nine digits. You can also find it by logging into your Bank of America account online, calling 1-800-432-1000, or visiting a branch with your ID.
The most common Bank of America routing number is 026009593, which handles accounts in most states. However, some states use different numbers. For example, California accounts may route through a different center than Texas accounts, depending on where the account was opened.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of your Bank of America checks as the first nine digits.
- Bank of America's main routing number is 026009593, but some states use different numbers based on where your account was opened.
- You can find your specific routing number by logging into your online account, calling customer service, or asking at a branch.
- You need your routing number when setting up direct deposit, making wire transfers, or arranging automatic bill payments.
Why you need a routing number
A routing number is required whenever money needs to move between banks or into your account from an outside source. Your employer uses it to set up direct deposit. A creditor uses it to take an automatic payment. Another bank uses it when you transfer money to your Bank of America account.
Without the correct routing number, the transaction either fails or goes to the wrong account. The routing number is not secret — it's printed on every check — but it has to be exact. A single wrong digit will cause the transfer to bounce back.
How to find your routing number online
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Go to the account details or account information section — the exact location varies depending on whether you use the website or the mobile app. Your routing number will be listed there along with your account number.
If you cannot find it online, call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number or the phone number associated with your account ready. A representative can tell you your routing number in less than a minute.
Routing number versus account number
These are two different things, and both are necessary for most transfers. Your routing number identifies which bank processes your account. Your account number identifies which specific account at that bank is yours.
On a check, the routing number is the first nine digits on the bottom left. The account number comes next, after the routing number. When you set up direct deposit or a wire transfer, you will need to provide both numbers.
Using your routing number for direct deposit
Direct deposit is when your employer sends your paycheck straight to your bank account instead of giving you a paper check. To set this up, you give your employer your routing number and account number. Some employers ask you to provide a voided check instead — a check with nothing written on it — because both numbers appear on the check.
Direct deposit usually takes one to two pay periods to set up after you submit the information. Your first direct deposit may arrive a few days later than usual while the system processes the request.
Setting up automatic payments with your routing number
When you pay a bill automatically — such as a utility bill, insurance premium, or loan payment — the company taking the payment needs your routing number and account number. You provide these when you authorize the automatic payment, either online, by phone, or on paper.
Once the payment is set up, the company withdraws the amount from your account on the date you choose. You can usually change or cancel the payment at any time through your bank's website or by calling the company directly.
What to do if you have multiple Bank of America accounts
If you have more than one account at Bank of America — for example, a checking account and a savings account — they share the same routing number. The routing number identifies the bank, not the individual account. Your account number is what distinguishes one account from another.
When you transfer money between your own Bank of America accounts, you may not need a routing number at all — you can often do it through your online account by selecting both accounts. But if you are transferring to a Bank of America account owned by someone else, you will need their routing number and account number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank code?
In the United States, routing number and bank code mean the same thing. Other countries use different terms — the United Kingdom calls it a sort code, and Canada calls it a branch transit number — but they serve the same purpose.
Can I use the same routing number for wire transfers and direct deposit?
Yes. Bank of America uses the same routing number for all types of transfers into your account, whether direct deposit, wire transfers, or automatic bill payments. The routing number does not change based on what kind of transaction you are doing.
What if I opened my account online instead of in a branch?
Your routing number is still based on the state you selected during account setup, not your current location. If you opened an account while living in Texas but now live in Florida, your routing number remains the Texas routing number. You do not need to change it.
Do I need a routing number to use my debit card?
No. You only need a routing number when money is being transferred between accounts or banks. Using your debit card at a store or ATM does not require a routing number — the card itself contains the information the merchant needs.
What if the routing number on my checks is different from what Bank of America's website shows?
Use the number from your Bank of America account online or from a representative — that is the current correct number. Checks may be old stock printed with an outdated routing number. Contact Bank of America to confirm which number to use for new transactions.