Your Chase checking account has multiple numbers, and each one does a different job
A Chase checking account comes with at least three separate numbers you need to know: your account number, your routing number, and your card number (if you have a debit card). The account number identifies your specific account at Chase. The routing number tells other banks how to find Chase. The card number is printed on your debit card and is different from your account number. You may also have a PIN (a four-digit code) and a check number if you order checks.
Each number serves a specific purpose, and using the wrong one in the wrong place can delay a payment or cause it to go to the wrong account. This guide explains what each number is, where to find it, and when you actually need it.
Key Takeaways
- Your Chase account number is nine digits and identifies only your account; your routing number is nine digits and identifies Chase's bank location.
- Your debit card number is 16 digits and is different from your account number, even though both are tied to the same account.
- For direct deposits and wire transfers, you need your account number and routing number together, not your card number.
- Your PIN is a separate four-digit code you create; it is not the same as any of your account numbers.
- Check numbers appear on the bottom left of each check and are unique to that individual check, not your account.
Account number: the nine-digit identifier for your specific account
Your account number is a nine-digit code that identifies your individual checking account at Chase. No two accounts have the same number. You need this number when you set up direct deposit, arrange a wire transfer, or give someone permission to withdraw money from your account.
You can find your account number in several places. The easiest is to log into your Chase online banking or mobile app — it usually appears on the main account page. You can also find it on the bottom left of your checks, printed after the routing number. If you call Chase customer service, they can read it to you over the phone after you verify your identity.
Do not confuse your account number with your card number. They are completely different, even though they both belong to the same account.
Routing number: the nine-digit code that identifies Chase's bank location
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that tells other financial institutions which Chase branch or processing center handles your account. Chase has multiple routing numbers depending on which state your account was opened in or where you live. The most common Chase routing number is 021000021, but yours may be different.
You need your routing number whenever someone outside Chase needs to send money to your account — for example, your employer setting up direct deposit, or another bank sending you a wire transfer. You also need it if you want to set up automatic bill payments from your Chase account to pay a company.
Find your routing number on the bottom left of your checks (it comes before your account number) or by logging into your Chase account online. If you are unsure which routing number belongs to your account, call Chase or check their website — they have a routing number lookup tool.
Debit card number: the 16-digit number on your physical card
Your debit card number is a 16-digit number printed on the front of your Chase debit card. It is not the same as your account number. The card number is what you use when you swipe, insert, or tap your card at a store, or when you enter it online to make a purchase.
You should never give your debit card number to someone who is asking for your "account number" for a direct deposit or wire transfer. If you do, the money will not go through, or it may go to the wrong place. The card number is only for purchases and cash withdrawals — not for bank-to-bank transfers.
Your card number also includes an expiration date and a three-digit security code on the back (called the CVV). These three pieces together are what you need for online shopping, but they are separate from your account and routing numbers.
PIN: the four-digit code only you should know
Your PIN (personal identification number) is a four-digit code you create when you first get your debit card, or you can change it anytime through your Chase app or at an ATM. It is not printed anywhere — only you know it. You use your PIN when you withdraw cash from an ATM or when you enter it at a store to confirm a debit card purchase.
Your PIN is separate from your account number, routing number, and card number. Never write it down, never share it with anyone (not even Chase employees), and never use a PIN that is straightforward to guess, like your birth year or address. If you forget your PIN, you can reset it through your Chase app, at an ATM, or by calling Chase customer service.
Check number: the identifier for each individual check
If you order checks from Chase, each check has a unique check number printed on the bottom left, usually a four- or five-digit number. This number identifies that specific check, not your account. When you write a check, the check number helps you and the recipient track which payment you are talking about.
You do not need to memorize your check numbers — they are printed on every check you write. If you lose a check or want to cancel one, you can tell Chase the check number so they can put a stop on it. Check numbers are also useful for your own records: when you balance your checkbook, you write down the check number next to each payment you made.
Where to find all your numbers in one place
The easiest place to find your account number and routing number together is on a blank check from your checkbook. The bottom of the check shows three groups of numbers: the routing number (first), your account number (second), and the check number (third). They are always in that order.
If you do not have checks, log into your Chase online account or mobile app. Your account number appears on the main dashboard. Your routing number is listed under account details or in the settings section. You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card — they can read both numbers to you after you verify your identity.
Your debit card number is on the front of your physical card. Your PIN is something only you know and is not printed anywhere. Write down your account number and routing number and keep them in a safe place — you will need them for direct deposits, wire transfers, and bill payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my debit card number the same as my account number?
No. Your account number is nine digits and identifies your checking account. Your debit card number is 16 digits and is used for purchases and ATM withdrawals. They are linked to the same account, but they are completely different numbers. Never use your card number when someone asks for your account number.
What do I give someone who wants to send me money by direct deposit?
Give them your account number and routing number — not your card number or PIN. Your employer, for example, needs both numbers to set up your paycheck deposit. You can find both on the bottom of a check, or in your Chase online account under account details.
Can I change my account number or routing number?
You cannot change your account number — it is permanent and tied to your account. Your routing number is also permanent and is determined by where your account was opened. If you need a different routing number, you would have to open a new account, which is usually not necessary.
What if I forget my PIN?
You can reset your PIN through your Chase mobile app, at any Chase ATM, or by calling Chase customer service. You will need to verify your identity with your account number, card number, or other personal information before they reset it.
Do I need my check number for anything besides writing checks?
Check numbers are mainly for your own record-keeping and for tracking individual payments. If you need to cancel a check or dispute a payment, you can reference the check number. Otherwise, you do not need it for banking transactions — your account and routing numbers are what matter for transfers and deposits.