Your checking account has two main numbers you need to know

A checking account comes with two separate numbers that do different jobs. The first is your account number, which identifies your specific account at your bank. The second is your bank's routing number, which tells other banks and payment systems how to find your bank. You will use both of these numbers together when you set up direct deposit, pay bills by check, or send money to someone else's account.

Your account number is usually 8 to 12 digits long, though the exact length varies by bank. Your routing number is always 9 digits. Neither number is secret in the way a password is — you will write your account number on checks and give it to your employer — but together they form the address that lets money reach your account safely.

Key Takeaways

  • Your account number identifies your specific checking account and is usually 8 to 12 digits long.
  • Your routing number is always 9 digits and tells other banks which bank holds your account.
  • You will find both numbers on the bottom left of your checks, or by logging into your online banking or calling your bank.
  • You need both numbers together to set up direct deposit, receive wire transfers, or pay bills from your account.
  • Your account number can be shared with employers and billers, but keep your full account details private from people you do not trust.

Where to find your account number

If you have checks, look at the bottom left corner of any check. You will see three groups of numbers separated by colons or special symbols. The first group is your routing number. The second group, usually in the middle, is your account number. The third group on the right is the check number itself.

If you do not have checks yet, or you want to verify the numbers without looking at a check, log into your online banking account or mobile app. Most banks display your account number on the main dashboard or in an account details section. You can also call your bank's customer service number — the one on the back of your debit card — and a representative will read both numbers to you over the phone.

Where to find your routing number

Your routing number is the same for everyone at your bank, no matter which branch you use. You will find it on the bottom left of your checks, just before your account number. If you need it without a check, you can search online for "[Your Bank Name] routing number" and find it on the bank's official website, or call your bank directly.

Some banks have more than one routing number if they operate in multiple states or have merged with other banks. If you are setting up direct deposit or a wire transfer and you are not sure which routing number to use, ask your bank — they will tell you the correct one for your situation.

What each number does

Your account number is like your mailbox number. It tells your bank which account to put money into or take money out of. When you give your account number to your employer for direct deposit, your employer's payroll system uses it to send your paycheck to the right place. When you write a check, the account number tells the bank which account to draw the money from.

Your routing number is like your street address. It tells other banks and payment systems which bank to contact. When someone sends you a wire transfer, they use the routing number to find your bank. When you set up a bill payment through your bank's website, the routing number helps route the payment to the right place. Without the routing number, the payment system would not know where to send the money.

How to use both numbers together

Whenever you need to receive money from outside your bank — a paycheck, a wire transfer, a payment from a friend — you will give out both numbers. For direct deposit, you give your employer both your routing number and account number on a form. For a wire transfer, the person sending the money needs both numbers to complete the transfer.

When you write a check, the routing and account numbers are already printed on it, so the person receiving the check does not need to ask for them. The bank that cashes the check will read these numbers to process it. If someone asks you for your account number over the phone or email, always ask them why they need it and verify you are talking to your bank before you share it.

Why you have two numbers instead of one

The banking system was built over many decades with many different banks. A single number could not do both jobs because the system needed to route money between thousands of banks while also keeping track of millions of individual accounts. The routing number solves the first problem — it gets the money to the right bank. The account number solves the second — it gets the money to the right account once it arrives at that bank.

This two-number system is why checks still work the same way they did 50 years ago, and why you can move money between banks even if they have never directly communicated before. The routing number is the translator that lets different banks understand each other.

What not to confuse with your account number

Your debit card number is different from your account number. The card number is the 16 digits printed on the front of your debit card. You use the card number when you swipe or tap your card at a store, or when you buy something online. Your account number is separate and is not printed on your card.

Your PIN (personal identification number) is also different. This is a 4-digit code you create when you open your account, and you use it at ATMs and when you enter your PIN at a store instead of signing. Never write your PIN down or share it with anyone, including bank employees. Your account number and routing number are not secret, but your PIN always is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone steal money from my account if they know my account number and routing number?

They would need more than just those two numbers. To set up a transfer or direct debit from your account, they would also need your name and address as it appears on your account. Even then, most banks have fraud protections that catch unauthorized transfers. Never share your account details with someone you do not trust, but knowing that someone has your account number is not an emergency.

Is my account number the same as my customer ID or member number?

No. Your customer ID or member number identifies you as a customer of the bank. Your account number identifies a specific account you hold. You might have multiple accounts at the same bank — a checking account and a savings account, for example — and each one has its own account number, but you have only one customer ID.

What if I cannot find my routing number?

Call your bank's main customer service line, which is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. A representative will give you the correct routing number for your location. You can also search your bank's name plus "routing number" online and find it on the official bank website.

Do I need to memorize my account number and routing number?

You do not need to memorize them, but it is helpful to know where to find them quickly. Write them down and keep the paper in a safe place at home, or save them in a password-protected note on your phone. You will use them often enough that you may end up remembering them anyway.