A bank number identifies which bank holds your account
A bank number is a code that tells the financial system which bank you use. When you write a check, move money between accounts, or set up a direct deposit, the bank number makes sure the money goes to the right institution. Without it, the system would not know whether you bank at Chase, Wells Fargo, a local credit union, or any of the thousands of other banks in the country.
The bank number is not the same as your account number. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank — like your address on a street. The bank number identifies the bank itself — like the city the street is in. Together, they tell the financial system exactly where your money lives.
Bank numbers go by different names depending on the context. On a check, it is called the routing number. In some international transfers, it may be called a bank code or sort code. For the purposes of most banking you do in the United States, "routing number" and "bank number" mean the same thing.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank number (routing number) identifies which bank holds your account, separate from your account number which identifies your specific account.
- The routing number appears on the bottom left of every check you receive, printed as a nine-digit code.
- You need your routing number when setting up direct deposit, making wire transfers, or arranging automatic bill payments.
- Each bank has its own routing number, and some large banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions or account types.
- You can find your routing number on your bank's website, by calling the bank, or by looking at a check or bank statement.
Where to find your bank number on a check
If you have a checkbook, your routing number is printed on every check. Look at the bottom left corner of the check. You will see three groups of numbers separated by colons or special symbols. The first group — always nine digits — is your routing number.
The second group is your account number, which is usually longer. The third group is the check number itself. The routing number always comes first and is always nine digits long. This format is standardized across all U.S. banks, so once you know where to look, you can find it on any check.
If you do not have checks or cannot locate them, you do not need to hunt through old paperwork. Your bank can tell you the number in seconds.
How to get your bank number without a check
Call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell them you need your routing number. They will give it to you when ready. This is one of the fastest ways to get the information.
You can also log into your online banking account. Most banks display the routing number in the account details or settings section. Some banks show it when you click on a specific account. If you cannot find it in your account dashboard, the bank's website usually has a "routing number lookup" tool where you enter your state and bank name.
Your bank statement — whether you receive it by mail or view it online — may also list the routing number. Check the top or bottom of the statement, or look in the section that shows your account details.
Why banks ask for your routing number
Banks ask for your routing number whenever money needs to move between institutions. When your employer sets up direct deposit, they need the routing number to know which bank to send your paycheck to. When you pay a bill online and the payment comes from your bank account, the company receiving the payment needs your routing number to find your bank.
If you are transferring money to someone else's account at a different bank, you need both your routing number and theirs. Wire transfers, which move money quickly and are often used for large amounts, require routing numbers from both the sending and receiving banks.
The routing number is also used for automatic recurring payments — like monthly insurance premiums or loan payments that come out of your account on the same day each month. The system uses the routing number to locate your bank, then your account number to locate your specific account within that bank.
Large banks with multiple routing numbers
Some of the biggest banks in the country have more than one routing number. This happens because large banks operate across many states, or because they have acquired smaller banks and kept their systems separate. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo each have multiple routing numbers depending on which state you live in or which branch you opened your account at.
This does not mean you have a choice of which routing number to use. Your specific account has one correct routing number. When you call the bank or look at your check, you will get the right one for your account. Using the wrong routing number for your bank can cause transfers to fail or be delayed, so it is important to use the one tied to your account.
If you are unsure which routing number belongs to your account, ask your bank directly rather than guessing. A five-minute phone call prevents the frustration of a failed transfer.
The difference between routing number and account number
Your routing number identifies your bank. Your account number identifies your account at that bank. Think of it this way: the routing number is like the zip code of your bank's location, and the account number is like your house address within that zip code. Both pieces of information together tell the financial system exactly where to send money.
When you give someone your banking information to send you money, you give them both numbers. Your account number is usually 8 to 12 digits long, while your routing number is always exactly 9 digits. On a check, the routing number appears first on the bottom left, and the account number appears second.
Some people confuse these numbers because they appear together on checks and statements. Keeping them separate in your mind makes it easier to understand what each one does: routing number finds the bank, account number finds your account within that bank.
Security and your bank number
Your routing number is public information. Banks print it on every check you write, and you are expected to share it with employers, bill payment companies, and anyone else who needs to send you money. Sharing your routing number alone does not put your account at risk.
However, your routing number plus your account number together can be used to set up unauthorized transfers from your account. For this reason, you should not share your account number with people you do not trust, even though sharing your routing number is safe. If someone asks for both numbers, make sure you know who they are and why they need the information.
If you believe someone has misused your account information, contact your bank when ready. Banks have fraud protection processes and can investigate unauthorized transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my routing number the same as my bank's routing number?
Not always. While most accounts at a bank use the same routing number, some large banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions or account types. Your specific routing number is tied to your account, not just to the bank's name. Always use the routing number shown on your check or provided by your bank for your account.
Can I use any routing number if I bank at a large bank with multiple numbers?
No. Using the wrong routing number can cause transfers to fail or be delayed. Use only the routing number that corresponds to your account. If you are unsure which one is correct, call your bank and confirm before setting up a transfer or direct deposit.
What happens if I give someone the wrong routing number?
The transfer will likely fail or be rejected by the receiving bank. The money may be returned to the sender, or it may be delayed while the bank tries to locate the correct account. This is why it is important to double-check the routing number before confirming any transfer.
Do credit unions have routing numbers?
Yes. Credit unions use routing numbers just like banks do. You can find your credit union's routing number on your checks, by calling the credit union, or on their website. The process is identical to finding a bank routing number.
Will sharing my routing number let someone take money from my account?
Sharing your routing number alone is safe — it is public information printed on every check. However, if someone has both your routing number and your account number, they could potentially set up unauthorized transfers. Keep your account number private, and only share both numbers with people and organizations you trust.