What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours

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Your routing number is one of the long strings of numbers at the bottom of your checks. You need to know your number to set up direct deposit for your paycheck or benefits. But what exactly is a routing number, which number is it on the bottom of checks, and how else might you need to use it? Read on to find out.

What is a routing number?

Routing numbers are nine-digit numbers that identify the bank or credit union in a financial transaction. The numbers were adopted by the banking industry in 1910 to make transactions quicker and more efficient. Some banks have one specific routing number only, while bigger banks can have several routing numbers assigned to them. Using the numbers reduces the chances of miscommunication in money transfer requests. So even if two banks have similar names, they’re distinct from one another because of their different routing numbers.

Read ahead to see lists of routing numbers at a few of the largest banks in the country as well as some online banks and credit unions.

Understanding the parts of a check

1. Your personal information2. Check number3. Date the check was written4. Recipient's name5. Payment amount	6. Memo line7. Name of the bank8. Routing number9. Account number10. Your signature
Learn more about the parts of a check.

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 if you want to receive your tax refund as a direct deposit or to debit a tax payment from your account. If you plan on transferring money between accounts at two different banks, you'll need it then, too.

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

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.

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. Called the magnetic ink character recognition line, that string of numbers contains your routing number, account number and check number in that order.

If you don’t have a check handy, you can also find the routing number in the following places:

Your bank statement.
Your bank’s website or mobile app (you may need to log in to your account first).
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 operations or change the purpose of a routing number, all of which can affect the number connected to your account. If your bank has undergone changes (such as merging with another bank, for example) since you opened your account, confirm the routing number with your bank before using it.

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Bank of America routing numbers

Confirm that your state's routing number below is the same on your checks or in your 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	123103716
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

Chase routing numbers

Chase routing numbers for personal accounts aren't available on Chase’s public-facing website. You can find your routing number by referencing your Chase bank account checks or by logging in to your account online.

Wells Fargo routing numbers

Confirm that your state's routing number below is the same on your Wells Fargo checks or logged-in online account.

Disclaimer: The Wells Fargo routing numbers below are for checking accounts that aren't used for wire transfers. There are two for California, but the one listed below works across the state.

State	Routing number
Alabama	062000080
Alaska	125200057
Arizona	122105278
Arkansas	111900659
California	121042882
Colorado	102000076
Connecticut	021101108
Delaware	031100869
Washington, D.C.	054001220
Florida	063107513
Georgia	061000227
Hawaii	121042882
Idaho	124103799
Illinois	071101307
Indiana	074900275
Iowa	073000228
Kansas	101089292
Kentucky	121042882
Louisiana	121042882
Maine	121042882
Maryland	055003201
Massachusetts	121042882
Michigan	091101455
Minnesota	091000019
Mississippi	062203751
Missouri	113105449
Montana	092905278
Nebraska	104000058
Nevada	321270742
New Hampshire	121042882
New Jersey	021200025
New Mexico	107002192
New York	026012881
North Carolina	053000219
North Dakota	091300010
Ohio	041215537
Oklahoma	121042882
Oregon	123006800
Pennsylvania	031000503
Rhode Island	121042882
South Carolina	053207766
South Dakota	091400046
Tennessee	064003768
Texas	111900659
Texas (El Paso)	112000066
Utah	124002971
Vermont	121042882
Virginia	051400549
Washington	125008547
West Virginia	121042882
Wisconsin	075911988
Wyoming	102301092

Online bank and credit union routing numbers

Confirm that your routing number below is the same in your logged-in online account. Unless otherwise noted, these are the routing numbers for electronic payments and checks.

Financial institution	Routing number
Ally Bank	124003116
Alliant Credit Union	271081528
Charles Schwab Bank	121202211
Discover Bank	031100649
SoFi Bank	031101334
Synchrony Bank	021213591

Frequently asked questions

Routing number vs. account number: What’s the difference?

The difference between a routing number and an account number is that a routing number identifies a specific bank while an account number identifies a personal bank account. The routing number is the first nine-digit number in the bottom left corner of a check. It’s immediately followed by the account number.

How do I find my bank's routing number?

The routing number is the first nine-digit number in the bottom left corner of a check.

How do I find my bank's routing number without a check?

You can find your bank’s routing number by contacting its customer service department. You can also find it on your bank statement and the bank’s website or mobile app.

FAQs

What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWallet? ›

The difference between a routing number and an account number is that a routing number identifies a specific bank while an account number identifies a personal bank account. The routing number is the first nine-digit number in the bottom left corner of a check. It's immediately followed by the account number.

Get More Info Here ›

What is a routing number and where can I find it? ›

Where is the ABA Routing Number on my checks? You can find the ABA Routing Number at the bottom of your checks. The ABA Routing Number is the left-most number, followed by your account number, and then by the number of the check.

Discover More ›

What is a routing number quizlet? ›

A routing transit number (RTN) is a nine digit bank code, used in the United States, which appears on the bottom of negotiable instruments such as checks identifying the financial institution on which it was drawn.

Can someone withdraw money from my account with an account number? ›

Your bank account number alone is not enough for someone to withdraw money from your account. Scammers can use your bank account and routing number to commit ACH fraud, make online purchases, deposit money for illegal activities, and create fraudulent checks.

Do the zeros in front of an account number matter? ›

The 0 digit holds no value when placed before another number.

Is it safe to give an account number for wire transfer? ›

Generally, it isn't safe to share your bank account information, including your routing number, with anyone you don't know. The stakes are too high to trust your bank account and routing number to a stranger.

Tell Me More ›

What is the title of a depositor account? ›

The depositor maintains the account and owns the funds on deposit. These accounts are simply titled in the owner's name, such as “John Smith.” A common misconception is that when a person opens an account naming one or more eligible beneficiaries, it is insured under the single account category.

Read The Full Story ›

What is the check digit on a direct deposit form? ›

Answer: Just enter the first 8 digits. The ninth (last) number of the transit routing number is a check digit.

Read On ›

Is routing number a secret? ›

The Bottom Line

These should be kept on hand in a secure location, but easy to find. It's best that you commit them to memory, much like other important numbers such as an SSN. Although it's easy to locate the ABA routing number of a bank, your personal bank account information is a lot harder to find.

Show Me More ›

Where is the routing number on a debit card? ›

No. The number on an ATM debit card is not a routing number. Debit cards and credit cards don't use routing numbers. The financial institution links the ATM debit card to your bank account through its banking system.

How to find your routing number without a check on Chase? ›

Find your routing and account number by signing into the Chase Mobile^® app and choosing your account tile, then choose 'Show details'—your bank account and routing number will display.

Discover More Details ›

How do I find out my bank account number? ›

How Do You Find Out Your Account Number? You can find your bank account number on your bank statements, printed at the bottom of a paper check, or by logging on to the bank's website. If you can't find it in these ways, try visiting a bank branch in person.

View Details ›

Which bank has routing number 322271627? ›

The routing number for Chase in California is 322271627 for checking and savings account. The ACH routing number for Chase is also 322271627.

Find Out More ›

What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWallet (2024)