Chase's ABA number is 021000021, used to route money into your Chase account from outside banks

Chase Bank's ABA number (also called a routing number) is 021000021. This nine-digit code tells other banks and payment systems where to send money when you receive a transfer, direct deposit, or wire into a Chase account. Every bank has its own ABA number; Chase's is the same across all its branches nationwide.

You need this number when someone outside Chase wants to send you money electronically. Your employer uses it for direct deposit. A person paying you via bank transfer needs it. The Social Security Administration uses it to deposit benefits. Without the correct ABA number, the money goes nowhere or bounces back.

The ABA number is not secret and not personal to you. It belongs to Chase as an institution. Your account number is what makes the transfer land in your specific account, not someone else's at Chase.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Bank's ABA number is 021000021 for all accounts and all branches nationwide.
  • You provide your ABA number plus your account number together so money reaches your specific Chase account.
  • The ABA number is the same for every Chase customer; your account number is what makes the transfer unique to you.
  • You will need this number for direct deposits, wire transfers, ACH transfers, and any electronic payment into your Chase account.
  • You can find your ABA number on the bottom left of your Chase checks, in the Chase mobile app, or by calling Chase customer service.

Where the ABA number appears on your Chase checks

If you have Chase checks, the ABA number is printed on the bottom left of every check, before your account number. The format is always the same: the nine digits appear in a specific order that the banking system reads automatically when checks are processed.

The bottom of a check shows three pieces of information in this order: the ABA number (021000021), then your account number, then the check number on the right. This layout is standard across all U.S. banks, so you will see the same pattern on any bank's checks.

How to find your ABA number without a checkbook

Open the Chase mobile app or log into Chase.com. Go to your account details or account information section. The ABA number is listed there alongside your account number. You do not need to call or visit a branch.

If you prefer to call, Chase customer service can confirm the number over the phone. Have your account number ready. The representative will give you 021000021 and confirm it is correct for your account type.

The difference between ABA number and account number

Your ABA number (021000021) identifies Chase Bank itself. Your account number identifies your specific account within Chase. Together, they form a complete routing instruction: "Send this money to Chase Bank, account number [yours]."

Think of it like a mailing address. The ABA number is the city and state; your account number is your street address and house number. The city tells the postal service which region to send the letter to. Your house number tells the mail carrier which house on that street gets it.

When you give someone your banking details for a transfer, you always provide both numbers. Giving only the ABA number is useless; the money arrives at Chase but has nowhere to go. Giving only your account number is equally useless; the receiving bank does not know which bank to send it to.

When you need to provide Chase's ABA number

You provide the ABA number and your account number when setting up direct deposit with an employer, government agency, or pension fund. The payroll department enters both numbers into their system, and your paycheck deposits automatically on payday.

You also need it for ACH transfers—electronic transfers between banks initiated by you or someone else. If a friend is sending you money from their bank account, they enter your ABA number and account number into their bank's transfer form. If you are setting up automatic bill payments from your Chase account, you provide the ABA number and account number to the biller.

Wire transfers also require the ABA number, though wire transfers sometimes ask for additional information like the bank's full name and address. If you are receiving a wire, give the sender your ABA number and account number. If you are sending a wire from Chase, your Chase representative will ask for the receiving bank's ABA number.

Why Chase has one ABA number for all branches

Chase operates as a single national bank, so all deposits route through one clearing system regardless of which physical branch you use. The ABA number 021000021 works the same whether you opened your account in New York, California, or anywhere else. There is no separate ABA number for different Chase locations.

This is different from some smaller regional banks, which may have different ABA numbers for different branches. Chase's size and structure mean one number handles all routing nationwide.

What happens if you give the wrong ABA number

If you provide an incorrect ABA number, the money either bounces back to the sender or lands in another bank's system. The receiving bank's computer reads the ABA number first and routes the transfer there. If the number does not match any real bank, the transfer fails and returns within one to three business days.

If you accidentally give a different bank's ABA number, the money goes to that bank instead of Chase. The sender then has to contact that bank to retrieve it, which can take weeks. This is why double-checking the number before you give it out matters.

If you are receiving money and suspect the wrong ABA number was used, contact Chase when ready. Provide the sender's bank information and the date of the transfer. Chase can sometimes locate the funds, but recovery is faster if you catch the error quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chase's ABA number the same for checking and savings accounts?

Yes. The ABA number 021000021 is the same for all Chase account types—checking, savings, money market, and others. The account number is what distinguishes one account from another within Chase.

Can I use Chase's ABA number to send money out of my account?

No. When you send money from your Chase account to another bank, you need the receiving bank's ABA number, not Chase's. You provide the recipient's ABA number and account number to Chase, and Chase uses that information to route your money out.

Do I need a different ABA number if I move or change branches?

No. Chase's ABA number stays the same no matter which branch you use or where you live. You can move across the country and keep the same account number and ABA number.

What if someone asks for my ABA number and I am not sure it is safe to give?

The ABA number is public information and safe to share. It is not like a PIN or password. However, always verify you are giving it to a legitimate payroll department, government agency, or financial institution before you provide it along with your account number.

Is the ABA number the same as the routing number?

Yes. ABA number and routing number are the same thing. ABA stands for American Bankers Association, the organization that originally assigned these numbers. Banks use the terms interchangeably.