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Parts of a check

Where to find the routing and account number on a check

Look at the bottom of a check and you’ll see one line of numbers and symbols. In the US it holds three things: the 9-digit routing number, your account number and the check number. Here’s how to tell them apart, plus a quick tool to catch a mistyped routing number.

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The bottom line of a check, left to right

On most personal checks the order is:

  1. Routing number: 9 digits between two A transit symbols.
  2. Account number: usually 8 to 12 digits, ending with the C on-us symbol.
  3. Check number: the same number printed in the top-right corner.

On many business checks the check number comes first, on the far left, followed by the routing number and then the account number. Either way, the routing number is the one framed by the transit symbols, and it is always exactly 9 digits.

The far right of the line stays blank when the check is written. When you deposit it, the bank prints the amount there.

What the routing number tells the bank

The routing number (also called the ABA or routing transit number) identifies your bank and, for large banks, the region where the account was opened. The first two digits relate to the Federal Reserve district, and the ninth digit is a check digit calculated from the other eight. That’s why a single mistyped digit can usually be caught before a check ever reaches the bank.

The tool runs the standard ABA checksum in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere. A pass means the number is well formed, not that it belongs to your bank, so always confirm it against your bank’s website or an existing check.

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Routing number for checks vs wires

Some banks use one routing number for checks and direct deposit (ACH) and a different one for wire transfers. The number printed on your check is the right one for checks. If you are setting up a wire, look up your bank’s wire routing number separately.

Where else to find these numbers

  • Your bank’s app or website, usually under account details or direct deposit.
  • Your bank statement (the account number at least; many statements show the routing number too).
  • A direct deposit form from your bank.
  • A voided check, if an employer or landlord asks for one.

Printing your own checks with the right numbers

When you print checks yourself, these numbers go into the MICR line in the E-13B font, and their position matters to the bank’s machines. In Quick Check Writer you type the routing and account number once: the routing number is checked with the same checksum as above, you confirm the account number by typing it twice, and every check prints the line laid out to the ANSI X9 standard, with the check number counting up automatically. The numbers are saved only on your device, never uploaded. Learn more about the MICR font itself.

Keep them private

Your routing number is public information, but together with your account number it’s enough to attempt a fraudulent withdrawal. Share both only with people and companies you trust, shred old checks, and keep blank check stock locked away. Our guide is it safe to print checks at home? has more.

Frequently asked questions

Which number is the routing number on a check?

It is the 9-digit number between the two transit symbols on the bottom line of the check. On personal checks it is usually the first number on the left.

Which number is the account number on a check?

It is the number after the routing number on the bottom line, ending with the on-us symbol. Its length varies by bank, often 8 to 12 digits.

Is the check number part of the account number?

No. The check number is a separate field. It matches the number in the top-right corner of the check and changes on every check.

Are routing numbers always 9 digits?

Yes. US routing numbers (ABA routing transit numbers) are always 9 digits, and the last digit is a check digit calculated from the first eight.

Is my routing number the same as my wire routing number?

Not always. Some banks use a different routing number for wire transfers. Use the number printed on your checks for checks and direct deposit, and ask your bank for its wire routing number.

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Last updated October 29, 2026.