The parts of a check
- Your name and address (top left), printed on the check.
- Check number (top right, and again in the bank line at the bottom).
- Date line (top right).
- "Pay to the order of" line for the payee.
- Amount box with a dollar sign, for the amount in numbers.
- Amount line ending in "Dollars", for the amount in words.
- Memo line (bottom left).
- Signature line (bottom right).
- MICR line along the bottom edge: routing number, account number and check number in a special font that bank machines read.
Step 1: Write the date
Write today's date, for example 10/27/2026 or October 27, 2026. You can postdate a check (date it in the future), but under US rules a bank may still pay it early unless you've given the bank formal notice, so don't rely on the date to delay payment.
Step 2: Write the payee's name
On the "Pay to the order of" line, write the full name of the person or company you are paying, for example "Hudson Property Services". Avoid nicknames, and never leave this line blank or write "Cash" unless you mean for anyone holding the check to cash it.
Step 3: Write the amount in numbers
In the box after the dollar sign, write the amount with cents, starting right next to the $ so nobody can add digits in front: 1,250.00.
Step 4: Write the amount in words
On the line below, spell out the dollars and write cents as a fraction over 100: One thousand two hundred fifty and 00/100. Draw a line through the empty space to the word "Dollars". If the numbers and words don't match, the words generally control, so this line matters most.
Examples:
- $45.50 → Forty-five and 50/100
- $100 → One hundred and 00/100
- $2,019.07 → Two thousand nineteen and 07/100
- $0.75 → Zero and 75/100 (or "Only seventy-five cents")
Write your first check free
No download and no credit card. Add your bank once, fill in the check, print or share it as a PDF.
Write your first check freeStep 5: Add a memo
The memo line is optional but useful: an invoice number, "October rent, Unit 3B", or an account number for a utility bill. It helps the payee apply the payment and helps you remember it later.
Step 6: Sign the check
Sign on the line at the bottom right using the signature your bank has on file. An unsigned check is not valid. Don't sign a check until the rest is filled in.
Step 7: Record it
Write the check number, date, payee and amount in your check register and subtract it from your balance. Checks can take days or weeks to be cashed, so your bank balance may look higher than it really is.
Common mistakes
- Leaving spaces before or after the amount, which makes changes easy.
- Amount in words that doesn't match the numbers.
- Forgetting the cents ("and 00/100").
- Writing in pencil or erasable ink. Use a dark pen.
- Signing over or near the MICR line at the bottom.
Made a mistake? Don't cross it out. Write VOID across the check and start a new one. Here is how to void a check.
Writing checks without a pen
If you write checks often, check-writing software does most of this for you. In Quick Check Writer, you type the payee, amount and memo, and the amount in words fills itself in, so it can never mismatch. The check number goes up by itself, every check lands in a register you can export, and you can print the check at home on blank check stock or email it as a PDF. Your first check is free. If you'd rather work entirely in the browser, read about using a check writer online.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a check for an amount with cents?
Write the dollars in words and the cents as a fraction over 100. For $45.50, write "Forty-five and 50/100" and $45.50 in the amount box.
How do I write a check for an even amount?
Add "and 00/100" after the words. For $100, write "One hundred and 00/100" and 100.00 in the box.
What if the amount in words and numbers don't match?
Banks generally go by the amount in words, but they may also return the check. It's safest to void it and write a new one.
Do I have to fill in the memo line?
No, the memo is optional. It's useful for an invoice or account number so the payee applies your payment correctly.
Can I write a check to myself?
Yes. Write your own name as the payee, sign it and deposit it into another account. It's a common way to move money between banks.
Related guides
Sources: Uniform Commercial Code § 3-114 (words prevail over numbers); Uniform Commercial Code § 4-401(c) (postdated checks)
Last updated October 27, 2026.