Your bank routing numberand a unique account number are assigned when you open an account. You can find both of these at the bottom of paper checks or via your online account. These numbers are also needed when you do electronic bank transfers or wires online. Find out how the numbers differ and how to use them.
Key Takeaways
Account and routing numbers work together to identify your account and ensure that your money ends up in the right place.
Financial institution routing numbers are known as RTNs (Routing Transit Numbers) or ABA (American Bankers Association) routing numbers.
Both numbers are required to complete many basic banking transactions.
The routing number indicates what bank your account is held in.
The account number is your unique identifier at that bank.
Routing Number vs. Account Number
To make many financial transactions such as setting up a direct deposit or ordering checks online, you will need both your bank’s routing number and your account number.
Account numbers are like customer IDs or fingerprints specific to each accountholder. Routing and account numbers are assigned to indicate precisely where funds in a transaction are coming from and going.
Similarly, routing numbers identify each banking institution with a unique numerical ID. Any time you make an electronic funds transfer, for instance, the routing and account numbers must be provided to the relevant financial institutions.
Routing numbers are nine digits long, and account numbers are usually between nine to 12 digits, although some may be longer.
The routing number (sometimes referred to as an ABA routing number, short for the American Bankers Association) is a sequence of nine digits used by banks to identify specific financial institutions within the U.S. This number proves that the bank is a federal- or state-chartered institution and maintains an account with the Federal Reserve.
ABA routing numbers were once used with paper checks, and ACH routing numbers were associated with electronic transfers and withdrawals on accounts. However, most banks today use one routing number for all transactions.
When do I need my routing number? Your account and routing numbers are required forevery conceivable banking transaction, whether within the bank where the account is held or between banking institutions.
Small banks generally possess just one routing number, while large multinational banks can have several different ones, usually based on the state in which you hold the account.Routing numbers are most commonly required when reordering checks, for payment of consumer bills, to establish a direct deposit (such as a paycheck), or for tax payments.
The routing numbers used for domestic and international wire transfers aren'tthe same as those listed on your checks. However, they can easily be obtainedonline or by contacting your bank.
Account Number
The account number works in conjunction with the routing number. While the routing number identifies the financial institution's name,the account number—usually between eight and 12 digits—identifies your account. If you hold two accounts at the same bank, the routing numbers will, in most cases, be the same, but your account numbers will be different.
Anyone can locate a bank's routing number, but your account number is unique to you, so it is important to guard it, just as you would your Social Security number or PIN code.
How To Find Your Routing and Account Numbers
You can find your account and routing numbers at the bottom left side of paper checks issued from your checking account. Alternatively, you can often find the routing number when you log into an online banking portal.
Because your financial institution's routing number isn't unique to your account, you may be able to simply find it online. Just make sure the website you use is the one owned by your bank or credit union.
If you don't have a check handy and you need to know your routing and account numbers, you can check your bank's website or app. When you get to your account, click on the full account number, and it should show you the routing number. You can also call your bank and ask for the bank's routing number and account number after you verifiy your identity.
Routing Number vs. Account Number Example
At the bottom of a check, you will see three sets of numbers. The 9-digit routing numbers typically appear as the first group, account numbers are the second group of numbers and check numbers are the third number. Sometimes, however, such as on cashier's checks, those numbers can appear in a different sequence.
This series of numbers is embedded with magnetic ink, known as your check’sMICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line. Pronounced "micker," the magnetic ink enables each bank’s processing equipment to read and process the account information.
How Do I Find My Routing Number and Account Number?
You can find both sets of numbers in a few places, including on your checks, bank statement, on your mobile banking app, or the bank's website. Routing numbers are usually printed at the left-hand bottom of your check and your checking account number will follow it.
Which Comes First, Account Number or Routing Number?
The routing number appears first, followed by the account number. This is because a routing number is how a financial institution identifies itself and, coupled with your banking account number, it can be used to find your account.
Which Routing Number Do You Use for a Direct Deposit?
To receive money from a direct deposit, the person or institution making the deposit will need your bank's routing number, along with your account number, for you to receive the funds.
Why Do I Have Two Routing Numbers?
While no two banks will have the same routing number, it isn't unusual for large financial institutions to have many routing numbers, which are specific to the state or location where your account is held.
What Is an IBAN Number?
An IBAN is an international bank account number, a global standard for sending bank payments. It consists of 34 alphanumeric characters that identify the country, bank, branch, and account.
North American, Australian, and Asian countries don't use the IBAN for domestic money transfers, and will only do so when sending a payment to a country that has adopted the IBAN.
The Bottom Line
If you are ever unsure which number is which between your routing and account numbers, you can contact your banking institution. Always remember to doublecheck both numbers whenever you provide them to another party. This willensure a seamless transaction that avoids delays or associated bank charges stemming from the funds ending up in an incorrect account.
A routing number is nine digits that identify the financial institution that holds your account, while an account number is the unique 9 to 12 digit number that identifies your specific account within that financial institution.
While the routing number identifies the financial institution's name, the account number—usually between eight and 12 digits—identifies your account. If you hold two accounts at the same bank, the routing numbers will, in most cases, be the same, but your account numbers will be different.
If you attempt a transaction with the wrong routing number, it will usually fail to process. However, in a worst-case scenario, money could be deposited into the wrong account. If you accidentally give someone the wrong routing number, get in touch as soon as possible to correct the error.
Generally, it isn't safe to share your bank account information, including your routing number, with anyone you don't know. The stakes are too high to trust your bank account and routing number to a stranger.
Routing numbers are always 9 digits long.Account numbers may be up to 17 digits long. Some banks list the routing number first on the check, while other banks list the account number first, and still more list the routing number, check number, then account number.
If you look along the bottom of your checks, you'll usually see three different numbers aligned in a row. From left to right, the first is the routing number for your bank. The second is your unique checking account number.
Your bank account number alone is not enough for someone to withdraw money from your account. Scammers can use your bank account and routing number to commit ACH fraud, make online purchases, deposit money for illegal activities, and create fraudulent checks.
Personal checks: The nine on the bottom left are the routing numbers. The middle number is the checking account. The third number matches the check number at the top right. Direct deposit needs the routing and checking account numbers.
If you want to make instant transfers with routing and account numbers without verification, you can rely on money transfer apps such as Zelle, Wise, PayPal, or other digital banking services. These apps make it easy to move money fast using your routing and account numbers.
A routing number is nine digits that identify the financial institution that holds your account, while an account number is the unique 9 to 12 digit number that identifies your specific account within that financial institution.
If a fraudster knows your routing number they can easily tell which financial institution your funds are at, putting you at risk of phishing attempts. If a criminal has both your routing number and account number they can potentially steal money from your account through fraudulent ACH transfers and payments.
Routing number - always comes first and is exactly 9 digits. Account number - varies in length. May appear before or after the check number. Include any leading zeros, but omit spaces and non-numeric characters.
Most banks no longer allow others to check or know your bank account balance. However, some banks provide the account balance details when people simply call and request it. For instance, anyone knowing your account information can call the bank to verify the fund on a cheque.
The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.
Each employee needs to provide the following information: bank name, account type, account number and routing number. Some states also require employees to sign a consent form before their employer can switch them to direct deposit.
If you made a mistake with your routing or account number, the bank may catch the problem and reject the transaction. But in some cases the bank may miss it, and the money can be deposited into the wrong account. If that happens, contact your financial institution to try to fix the problem.
You'll often need a routing and account number, as well as a few extra details like the account holder's name, when you send a payment to a bank account in the US. Types of payment can include ACH transfers and bank wires, arranged through either your own bank or credit union, or through a third party service.
What are the numbers on a check? At the bottom of a check, you will see three groups of numbers.The first group is your routing number, the second is your account number and the third is your check number.
No. The number on an ATM debit card is not a routing number. Debit cards and credit cards don't use routing numbers. The financial institution links the ATM debit card to your bank account through its banking system.
For segregation, banks use different codes at the beginning of the account number. In India, public sector banks have their pattern and usually follow an 11 digit pattern.However, private sector banks use either a 12 digit account or a 14 digit account number.
The account number on a debit card technically refers to the 16-digit primary account number (PAN), the unique card identifier located on the front of the card. However, PAN is not a common term in consumer circles.
In this example, the Checking account number is 0112345678 — with 01 indicating Checking, 1234567 indicating the base account number, and 8 indicating the Checking suffix.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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