- Categories
- Finance and Business
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- Checks and Checkbooks
Download Article
Explore this Article
methods
1Finding the Routing Number on a Check
2Contacting Your Bank
Other Sections
Tips and Warnings
Related Articles
References
Article Summary
Co-authored byMichael R. Lewis
Last Updated: February 2, 2024
Download Article
When you're providing funds for an online transaction or filling out form for direct deposit, you'll often be asked for your bank's routing number. That's a nine-digit number provided by the American Banker's Association (ABA) that uniquely identifies the location of you bank account. Fortunately, it's easy to find.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Finding the Routing Number on a Check
Download Article
1
Look in the lower left hand corner of the check. That's where routing numbers are located.
2
Look for an icon on the check. The icon is a character is from the BankerScriber MICR font.[1] It's unintelligible and is not part of the routing number.
Advertisement
3
See AlsoWhere Do You Find the Routing Number on a Check? – PolicygeniusRouting Number: What It Is And How To Find Yours | BankrateFind your Routing Number (ABA) Transit Number - WiseWhat Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWalletIdentify the first nine numbers. All routing numbers are nine numbers. The first nine numbers in the lower, left-hand part of your check after the MICR character is your routing number.
- Be sure to exclude any preceding MICR characters when determining your routing number.
- Following your routing number, the next set of numbers, up until the next MICR character, is your account number.
- The number following the MICR character at the end of the account number should match your check number.
4
Confirm your routing number by using symbols. The MICR symbols designating your routing number looks like a vertical line on the left, with two squares, one on top of the other, on the right. The numbers between those characters is your routing number.
5
Examine the first digit of your routing number. All routing numbers begin with the number 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Contacting Your Bank
Download Article
1
Check online for your bank's routing number. Remember, the routing number isn't secure, so it's publicly available. You can often find it online.
- Visit your bank's website and look for a link that will provide information about routing numbers. Often, banks have routing number information published online.
- Google your bank's name plus the words "routing number." If you can't find it by looking directly at your bank's website, try Google. You might be surprised at how often you can find something with Google that you can't find easily at a company site.
2
Call your bank and ask for the routing number. One of the most reliable ways to get an accurate routing number is to talk to someone who's actually experienced in providing that information.
3
Visit your bank and ask a customer service representative for the routing number. If you'd like to work with someone locally, instead of at a call center, you should visit your bank and talk to someone who can provide you with your routing number.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisement
Tips
The symbols used to delineate your routing number and account number do not represent any specific numeral. When identifying your routing number, it is not necessary to note the presence of the symbol.
Thanks
Helpful0Not Helpful0
If your bank routing number begins or ends with the number 0, be sure to include it when you supply your routing number.
Thanks
Helpful0Not Helpful0
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
Don’t rely on a deposit slip to find your routing number. Depending on the bank, the numbers listed on a deposit slip may be different from the numbers listed on a check.
Thanks
Helpful13Not Helpful2
Advertisement
You Might Also Like
Advertisement
References
About This Article
Co-authored by:
Michael R. Lewis
Business Advisor
This article was co-authored by Michael R. Lewis. Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin. This article has been viewed 525,630 times.
97 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 22
Updated: February 2, 2024
Views:525,630
Categories: Checks and Checkbooks
Article SummaryX
To locate a routing number on a check, look at the bottom, left hand corner of your check. The routing number will start with a 0, 1, 2 or 3. If you’re still unsure that you have the right numbers, Google your bank's name plus the words "routing number" or call your bank’s customer service. For more detailed descriptions of how to find the routing number and to know what those other numbers are on the bottom of your check, keep reading.
Did this summary help you?
In other languages
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 525,630 times.
Did this article help you?
Advertisement