How to Locate routing and account numbers on a check ?

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.

Knowing how to locate these important numbers is useful for setting up automatic payments for monthly bills and filing forms for actions such as direct deposit. Learn more about routing numbers, account numbers and check numbers below.

What is a routing number?

When you send or receive money directly from your bank account in transactions like electronic payments, banks need to know where that money is supposed to go. The routing number identifies the financial institution where your money is held and serves as a designation for where to send funds being paid to you. Employers require your routing number in order to set up payment systems like direct deposit.1

Where is the routing number located on a check?

The first set of numbers on the lower left corner of a check is the routing number. Keep in mind the routing numbers are 9-digit codes and the character symbol surrounding the numbers is not part of the routing number on a check. Routing numbers, sometimes called transit numbers, are public and may vary based on the region where you opened your account.

Which number is the account number on a check?

The second set of numbers following the character symbol immediately after your routing number is your account number. Sometimes the placement can be switched with the check number. To determine your account number, simply choose the longer number. This number is private and unique to your bank account – you’ll find it only on your personal checks or by signing into your online account.

What is a checking account number?

Your checking account number designates and identifies your unique account at the bank you use. Your bank uses this number to indicate where funds intended for you should be deposited or withdrawn from. Any time you set up payment systems such as direct deposit or an electronic payment app, you’ll need to provide this number.2

What is a check number and where is it located?

The check number is usually the last set of numbers on your personal check, but it could be switched in placement with the account number. They’re the shortest set of numbers on the check and hold no significance besides helping you keep track of which check you’re writing.

Where to find routing and account numbers without a check

Checks aren’t the only place to find your routing and account numbers. Every major bank has a mobile banking app and website through which customers can access their unique bank accounts and the numbers associated with those accounts. You’ll also find these numbers on your bank statements. If you’re not signed up for paperless banking, then these statements will regularly come in the mail every month. If you are, you can also access your statements through your bank’s website or mobile app. If digital means are inaccessible to you for whatever reason, you can obtain your routing and account numbers by calling or visiting your bank in person.

When you’ll need your routing number

You’ll need your routing number in a variety of situations, including setting up direct deposit, automatic loan payments or recurring transfers like bill payments.
You’ll also need it when you file taxes to receive your tax refund or debit a tax payment, or when you conduct Automated Clearing House, or ACH, transfers between accounts at different banks.
You will only need your routing number when funds are being directly transferred to or from your bank account — never for debit card or credit card purchases.

How to find your routing number

You can find your routing number at the bottom left corner of your personal checks. It’s the first nine digits of the long line of numbers there. Called the magnetic ink character recognition line, that string of numbers contains your routing number, account number and the check number, listed in that order.

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  If you don’t have a check handy, you can also find your routing number in the following places:
  Your bank statement
  Your bank’s website or mobile app
  Through your bank’s phone customer service
  The American Bankers Association’s routing number lookup

Be aware that routing numbers can change. Financial institutions can close branches, reorganize their operations or change the purpose of a routing number, all of which can affect the number connected to your account. Confirm your routing number with your bank before using it to avoid giving out the wrong number.

Each bank has at least one routing number, although larger banks can have more. At a bank with multiple routing numbers, they can change depending on the location where you opened your account and the type of transaction you’re making.

If you live in Texas, for example, your routing number to set up direct deposit can be different from your friend’s in California, and different from your mom’s when she’s accepting an incoming wire transfer — even if the three of you use the same bank.

Bank of America routing numbers
Confirm that your state's routing number below is the same on your checks or logged-in online account.
Disclaimer: These are Bank of America routing numbers for checking accounts for electronic payments only. Some states or regions have different routing numbers for checks and electronic payments. In most cases, there are separate routing numbers for wire transfers as well.
State
Routing number
Alabama
051000017
Alaska
051000017
Arizona
122101706
Arkansas
082000073
California
121000358
Colorado
123103716
Connecticut
011900254
Delaware
031202084
Washington, D.C.
054001204
Florida
063100277
Georgia
061000052
Hawaii
051000017
Idaho
123103716
Illinois (South and Chicago Metro)
081904808
Illinois (North)
071000505
Indiana
071214579
Iowa
073000176
Kansas
101100045
Kentucky
064000020
Louisiana
051000017
Maine
011200365
Maryland
052001633
Massachusetts
011000138
Michigan
072000805
Minnesota
071214579
Mississippi
051000017
Missouri
081000032
Montana
051000017
Nebraska
051000017
Nevada
122400724
New Hampshire
011400495
New Jersey
021200339
New Mexico
107000327
New York
021000322
North Carolina
053000196
North Dakota
051000017
Ohio
071214579
Oklahoma
103000017
Oregon
323070380
Pennsylvania
031202084
Rhode Island
011500010
South Carolina
053904483
South Dakota
051000017
Tennessee
064000020
Texas
111000025
Utah
123103716
Vermont
051000017
Virginia
051000017
Washington
125000024
West Virginia
051000017
Wisconsin
051000017
Wyoming
051000017