Write your account number and routing number in the exact format your bank provides
Bank account details are the numbers and codes that tell another bank or payment system where your money should go. When you write them down—whether for a direct deposit form, a wire transfer, or a bill payment—the format matters. A single digit in the wrong place can send money to the wrong account or cause a payment to fail.
The two pieces of information you need are your account number and your routing number (also called a transit number in some countries). Your bank prints both on the bottom left of your checks, and you can also find them in your online banking portal or by calling your bank's customer service line.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number identifies which bank holds your account; your account number identifies which specific account within that bank.
- The routing number is always nine digits; the account number varies but is typically 10 to 12 digits.
- Write numbers without spaces, dashes, or letters unless the form explicitly asks for them.
- Check your bank's website or a recent check to confirm the exact format before submitting any payment form.
- If you are unsure whether a number is correct, call your bank directly rather than guessing.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
The easiest place to look is the bottom left corner of any check you have written. The first set of nine digits is your routing number. The second set of numbers (usually 10 to 12 digits) is your account number. A third number at the far right is the check number itself, which you do not need for most payments.
If you do not have checks, log into your online banking account. Most banks display both numbers in a section labeled "Account Information" or "Account Details." You can also call your bank's customer service number (printed on your debit card or bank statement) and ask them to read the numbers to you over the phone. Write them down exactly as the representative says them, digit by digit.
Some banks also print these numbers on your monthly statement, though the placement varies. Check the first or last page, or search for "routing" or "account number" in the document.
How to format the numbers on a form
Write the routing number as nine consecutive digits with no spaces or dashes. Write the account number as a continuous string of digits with no spaces or dashes, unless the form specifically instructs you to add them. Most forms do not.
If a form has separate boxes for each digit, fill one digit per box. If it has a single line, write all digits in a row. Do not add leading zeros, commas, or any other characters unless the form asks for them. The numbers should look exactly as they appear on your check or in your bank's system.
Some forms ask you to re-enter the account number a second time to confirm it. Type it the same way both times. If the two entries do not match, the form will usually flag the error before you submit it.
What happens if you write the numbers wrong
If you transpose a digit or leave one out, the payment may be rejected before it leaves your bank. The receiving bank's system will not recognize the account number and will send the transaction back. This usually takes one to three business days, and your money returns to your account.
If you write the correct routing number but the wrong account number, the money may go to someone else's account at that bank. This is rare because most account numbers are long enough that a random guess is unlikely to match a real account. But it is possible. If this happens, contact your bank when ready. They can attempt to recover the funds, but the process is slow and not always successful.
If you write the wrong routing number, the money may go to a different bank entirely. Again, the receiving bank usually rejects it if the account number does not exist in their system. But the delay is longer—sometimes a week or more—because the transaction has to travel to the wrong bank first, be rejected, and travel back.
Differences between routing numbers and account numbers
Your routing number identifies your bank or credit union. It is always nine digits. Every branch of the same bank uses the same routing number. If you move to a different branch of your bank, your routing number stays the same.
Your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. It is unique to you. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank—a checking account and a savings account, for example—each one has a different account number but they share the same routing number.
When you set up a direct deposit or authorize a payment, you need both numbers. The routing number tells the sending bank which institution to send the money to. The account number tells that institution which account within the bank should receive it.
Special cases: wire transfers and international payments
For a domestic wire transfer within the United States, you still use your routing number and account number. Some forms also ask for your bank's name and your full name as the account holder. Write your name exactly as it appears on your account—if your account says "James R. Mitchell," do not write "Jim Mitchell" or "James Mitchell" without the middle initial.
For an international wire transfer, you may need additional codes. Your bank will ask for a SWIFT code (a code that identifies your bank internationally) and possibly an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), which is a standardized format used outside the United States. Ask your bank which codes explore to your account and the country you are sending money to. Do not guess or use a code from the internet without confirming it with your bank first.
Double-checking before you submit
Before you submit any form with your bank details, read the numbers back to yourself out loud. This catches transposition errors—when you have swapped two adjacent digits—more often than reading silently does.
If the form is for a large payment or an important transaction (like setting up payroll direct deposit), call your bank and ask them to confirm the numbers are correct. Most banks will do this in a few minutes. It is worth the phone call to avoid a delayed or misdirected payment.
If you are filling out a form on a website and you are not sure whether the site is legitimate, do not enter your account details. Instead, contact your bank directly using the phone number on your debit card or bank statement. Ask them how to set up the payment through their own system. This is always safer than entering your details on a third-party website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my account number the same as my debit card number?
No. Your debit card number is different from your account number. The card number is printed on the front of your card and is used for purchases and ATM withdrawals. Your account number is used for bank transfers and direct deposits. You can find your account number on your checks or in your online banking portal.
Do I need to include dashes or spaces when I write my account number?
No, unless the form explicitly asks for them. Write the account number as a continuous string of digits. Most forms and payment systems do not expect dashes or spaces, and adding them can cause the form to reject your entry or process it incorrectly.
What if I do not know my routing number?
Call your bank using the number on your debit card or a recent statement. Have your account number ready, and the representative will give you your routing number. You can also look it up on your bank's website or use the routing number search tool on the Federal Reserve's website, though calling your bank is the fastest way to confirm it is correct.
Can I use someone else's account number to send them money?
Yes, if you have their routing number and account number, you can set up a transfer to their account. You do not need their permission in advance, but they will see the deposit in their account and will know money came from you. Make sure you have the correct account number before you submit the transfer, because sending money to the wrong account is difficult to reverse.
What should I do if a payment fails because of incorrect account details?
The payment will usually be returned to your account within one to three business days. Check your bank account to confirm the money came back. If it does not appear after five business days, contact your bank and ask them to trace the transaction. Have the date, amount, and recipient bank name ready when you call.