The simplest way to know: check your account paperwork or online login
Your bank account type is printed on your account agreement, your debit card, your monthly statement, and in your online banking dashboard. If you opened the account recently, look for the welcome letter or email from your bank — it will say "Checking Account" or "Savings Account" clearly near the top. If you log into your bank's website or app, the account type usually appears next to your account number on the main page.
If you cannot find your paperwork and do not remember your login, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on their website. Tell them your account number or the phone number and address you used to open the account. They will tell you the account type in less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your account type is listed on your welcome letter, monthly statement, debit card, and in your online banking portal.
- Checking accounts come with a debit card and checkbook; savings accounts typically do not.
- Checking accounts let you withdraw money as many times as you want; savings accounts may limit withdrawals to a certain number per month.
- Your bank can tell you the account type over the phone in under a minute if you cannot find your paperwork.
What to look for on your debit card
If you have a debit card, it almost certainly came with a checking account. Savings accounts rarely issue debit cards because they are designed for money you plan to keep rather than spend regularly. Your debit card lets you withdraw cash from ATMs and pay for things in stores — features that checking accounts offer but savings accounts usually do not.
The card itself may say "Debit Card" on the front, but it will not say whether the account behind it is checking or savings. You need to look at your account paperwork or log in to know for certain.
What to look for on your monthly statement
Your bank sends you a statement each month (or you can view it online). Near the top of the statement, after your name and address, the account type appears. It will say something like "Checking Account" or "Savings Account" or sometimes "Checking" and "Savings" if you have both.
The statement also shows your account number and the statement period. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each statement will be labeled with its own type. If you have not received a statement yet, you can usually view it in your online banking account under a tab labeled "Statements" or "Documents."
Differences you might notice in how you use the account
Checking accounts are built for frequent use. You can write checks, use your debit card, set up automatic bill payments, and withdraw money as often as you want. Most checking accounts come with online banking and a mobile app so you can move money around quickly.
Savings accounts are built to hold money. You can deposit and withdraw, but some savings accounts limit how many times you can withdraw per month — often to six times. You typically do not get a debit card or checkbook with a savings account. Savings accounts usually pay a small amount of interest, meaning the bank pays you a tiny percentage of your balance each month as a reward for keeping money there.
If you are unsure whether your account has withdrawal limits, your bank statement or online account page will say so. You can also ask your bank directly.
Why banks have two different account types
Banks created checking and savings accounts for different purposes. Checking accounts are for money you use regularly — paying bills, buying groceries, getting cash. Savings accounts are for money you want to set aside and grow slowly over time.
Because checking accounts are used constantly, banks do not pay interest on them. Savings accounts pay interest because the bank can count on the money staying there longer, which lets them lend it out and make money. The interest you earn is usually small — often less than one percent per year — but it adds up over time if you leave the money untouched.
What to do if your bank calls it something different
Some banks use different names for their accounts. You might see "Money Market Account," "High-Yield Savings," "Youth Checking," or "Student Savings." These are variations, but they still fall into one of two categories: accounts meant for regular spending (checking-type) or accounts meant for saving (savings-type).
If your account has a name you do not recognize, look at what you can do with it. Can you write checks and use a debit card? That is a checking-type account. Does it limit your withdrawals and pay interest? That is a savings-type account. Your bank's website or a quick phone call will clear up any confusion about what type of account you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my account from checking to savings or vice versa?
Yes, most banks let you convert one account type to another, though some may close one and open a new one instead. Call your bank and ask — there is usually no fee. Keep in mind that if you convert a checking account to savings, you will lose your debit card and checkbook.
What if I have both checking and savings at the same bank?
Many people have both. Your monthly statement will show each account separately, labeled by type. Your online banking dashboard will also list them separately so you can move money between them or check balances on each one.
Do I need to know my account type to use online banking?
No. Your online login works the same way regardless of account type. Once you log in, the system shows you which accounts you have and what type each one is. You can see your balance, transaction history, and move money between accounts without needing to know the type in advance.
If I only have one account, how do I know if it is checking or savings?
Check your welcome letter or call your bank. Most people who open their first account get a checking account because it is more flexible for daily use. But the only way to be certain is to look at your paperwork or ask your bank directly.