A routing number is a nine-digit code used to identify a financial institution in the United States. Banks use routing numbers to direct the exchange of funds to and from one another. You can typically find the routing number on the bottom left corner of most personal checks.
Routing numbers were originally created by the American Bankers Association (ABA) to streamline the circulation of paper checks on a massive scale. They are commonly referred to as ABA routing numbers or American Clearing House (ACH) routing numbers, and can be found on personal checks, bank websites or the ABA’s online database. We link to different sources below.
The routing number and your personal account number can both be found on the bottom of the checks issued by your bank. Most banks provide at least one free checkbook for new customers.
Routing Number: The routing number consists of nine digits printed on the bottom-left corner of your check. The odd font used to print the number is known as magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) and is printed in electronic ink to allow banking institutions to easily process checks.
Account Number: The account number is located in the bottom center of your personal check, just to the right of your routing number. The account number is the unique identifier for your bank account.
Check Number: To help you keep a record of all payments, the bottom right corner of your personal check contains a unique check number.
When providing routing and account numbers, it’s crucial to double-check your entries because errors can lead to failed transfers or send your money to the wrong account. If you catch an error, notify your bank so it can reverse the transaction. For more information, read our detailed guide to writing checks.
If you don’t have a checkbook, you can still find your routing number by checking your bank’s website or calling your local branch. The routing number varies by bank and region. Since one bank can have multiple routing numbers, be sure to confirm that your routing number corresponds to the specific bank where you opened your account.
We’ve included a list of some of the major national lending institutions with links to their respective routing numbers.