The simplest way to know what you have
Your bank statement or online account page will say the account type directly — usually near the top, or in a section labeled "Account Details" or "Account Information." Look for the words "checking account" or "savings account." If you cannot find it there, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your statement, and they will tell you in under a minute.
If you do not have a statement yet, log into your online banking or mobile app. Most banks show your account type on the main dashboard, sometimes next to your account number. Some banks also send you a welcome letter when you open an account that lists the type.
The reason this matters: checking and savings accounts work differently. Checking accounts are built for spending — you get a debit card and checks, and you can move money in and out as often as you want. Savings accounts are built for holding money — they usually pay you a small amount of interest, but they limit how many times per month you can withdraw or transfer money out.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank statement or online account page will display your account type by name — "checking" or "savings" — usually in the account details section.
- Checking accounts come with a debit card and checks, and let you move money in and out without limits.
- Savings accounts pay interest on your balance but restrict how many times per month you can withdraw or transfer money.
- If you opened both types of accounts at the same bank, you may have separate account numbers for each one.
What your debit card tells you
If you have a debit card, your account is almost certainly a checking account. Savings accounts rarely come with debit cards because they are not meant for everyday spending. The debit card is the clearest sign that you can use your account to pay for things at stores, online, or at ATMs.
However, not every checking account comes with a debit card automatically. Some banks require you to request one, or they may charge a small fee. And some people have both a checking account and a savings account at the same bank — the checking account will have the debit card, and the savings account will not.
Checking accounts have more ways to spend your money
Checking accounts come with tools for spending: a debit card, checks, and the ability to set up automatic bill payments or transfers. You can move money out as many times as you want in a month. This is why they are called checking accounts — historically, checks were the main way people spent from them.
If your account lets you do all of these things, it is a checking account. If your account only lets you deposit money and withdraw it a few times a month, or if you have to go to a teller or call the bank to move money out, it is likely a savings account.
Savings accounts limit your monthly withdrawals
Savings accounts are designed to help you hold onto money. Most banks limit you to six withdrawals or transfers per month from a savings account — this includes transfers to other accounts, transfers to people outside the bank, and ATM withdrawals. Once you hit that limit, you cannot take money out again until the next month starts.
Deposits into a savings account do not count against this limit — you can deposit money as many times as you want. But moving money out is restricted. If your account has this kind of limit, it is a savings account.
Some banks have relaxed this rule in recent years, but the restriction still exists at most traditional banks. If you are unsure whether your account has this limit, your statement should mention it, or you can ask your bank directly.
Interest payments show you have a savings account
Savings accounts pay you interest — a small percentage of your balance that the bank adds to your account each month or each quarter. This is money the bank pays you for letting them hold your money. Checking accounts almost never pay interest, or they pay so little that it rounds to zero.
If your statement shows a line item called "Interest Paid" or "Interest Earned," you have a savings account. If you have never seen interest added to your account, you probably have a checking account.
The amount of interest varies widely depending on the bank and the current interest rate environment. Some savings accounts pay almost nothing, while others pay more. But the presence of interest at all is a strong sign you have a savings account.
You might have both types at the same bank
Many people open both a checking account and a savings account at the same bank. The checking account is for everyday spending, and the savings account is for money you want to keep separate and grow. Each account has its own account number, and each one appears separately when you log into online banking.
If you have both, your debit card will be linked to your checking account, not your savings account. Your online banking dashboard will show both accounts listed separately, usually with labels that say "Checking" and "Savings" next to each one.
If you are not sure which account is which, look at the account type label next to each account number in your online banking, or call your bank and ask them to list both accounts and their types.
What to do if you still cannot find the answer
Call your bank's customer service line — the number is on the back of your debit card, on your statement, or on the bank's website. Tell them your account number (or just your name and the last four digits of your Social Security number), and ask them to confirm whether your account is checking or savings.
You can also visit a branch in person and ask a teller. Bring your debit card or a piece of mail from the bank so they can look up your account. This takes just a few minutes and costs nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my account from savings to checking or vice versa?
Most banks will not convert an existing account from one type to another. Instead, you would need to open a new account of the type you want. However, some banks allow you to close one account and open another on the same day. Ask your bank whether they offer this option.
Why does my bank statement not say the account type clearly?
Some banks bury the account type in small print or use abbreviations like "CHK" for checking or "SAV" for savings. Check the account details section, the top of the statement, or near your account number. If you still cannot find it, call the bank — they can tell you in seconds.
If I have a savings account, can I still use an ATM to withdraw money?
Yes, you can use an ATM to withdraw from a savings account, but that withdrawal counts toward your monthly limit of six withdrawals or transfers. Once you hit six, you cannot withdraw again until the next month, even at an ATM. Deposits at an ATM do not count against the limit.
Do all savings accounts pay interest?
Most savings accounts pay some interest, but the amount varies widely. Some accounts pay very little — less than one percent per year. Others, especially online savings accounts, pay more. Your bank statement will show if you are earning interest, and how much.
What if I want to spend money from my savings account?
You can withdraw from a savings account, but you are limited to six withdrawals or transfers per month at most banks. If you need to spend money more often, you should use a checking account instead, or transfer money from savings to checking and then spend from checking.