A bank's routing number is a nine-digit number associated with a particular bank or financial institution, while your account number is distinctively assigned to your account within a bank. You can have multiple accounts at one bank, each with a unique account number but the same routing number.
Your bank's routing numberand your checking account number are used when writing a check and sending or receiving an electronic funds transfer. The routing number identifies the bank, while the account number identifies the account to be debited or credited within that bank. Discover how your account and routing numbers work and how to locate and use them.
Key Takeaways
- A bank's routing number is a nine-digit number associated with a particular bank or financial institution.
- Your account number is distinctively assigned to your account within your bank.
- The routing number identifies the bank, while the account number identifies the account to be debited or credited within that bank.
- Account and routing numbers work together to ensure that financial transactions and money transfers get processed correctly.
- Protect your account number from fraudsters by using strong online passwords, multi-factor authentication, and security question answers known only to you.
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Routing Number vs. Account Number
When you open a bank account, you receive a unique account number and the bank's routing number. You can find both of these at the bottom of paper checks or via your online account. To make many financial transactions, such as setting up a direct deposit or ordering checks online, you will need your bank’s routing number and your account number.
Account numbers are like customer IDs or fingerprints specific to each account holder. Account numbers are assigned to indicate precisely where the funds in a transaction originated from (debited) or the final destination for the funds (credited).
Similarly, routing numbers identify each banking institution. Routing numbers are nine digits long, and account numbers are usually between nine and 12 digits, although some may be longer.
Any time you make an electronic funds transfer through a bank, the routing and account numbers must be provided to the relevant financial institutions.
Routing Number
The routing number is a sequence of nine digits banks use to identify specific financial institutions within the United States. The routing number is also called a routing transit number or ABA routing number, short for the American Bankers Association.
The routing number proves that the bank is a federal- or state-chartered institution and maintains an account with the Federal Reserve.
A Check's Routing Number
ABA routing numbers were once used with paper checks, and ACH routing numbers were associated with electronic transfers and withdrawals on accounts. However, most banks today use one routing number for all transactions.
A check also contains a routing symbol in the top corner, usually just below the individual check number. This symbol is usually three or four digits and also identifies the bank. It is not used much anymore.
Routing Numbers for International Transfers
A different routing number is used for domestic and international wire transfers. In other words, you can not use the routing number listed at the bottom of your checks. Contact your financial institution or check their website for a list of approved routing numbers for international transfers.
How Routing Numbers Are Used
Small banks generally possess just one routing number, while large multinational banks can have several different ones, usually based on the state where you hold the account.Routing numbers may be required for the following:
- Reordering checks
- Electronic payments of consumer bills
- Linking your bank account to a mobile payment app
- Establishing direct deposit, such as for your paycheck or Social Security benefits
- Tax payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or your local tax office
Account Number
The account number works in conjunction with the routing number. While the routing number identifies the financial institution's name,the account number—usually between eight and 12 digits—identifies your account. If you hold two accounts at the same bank, the routing numbers will usually be the same, but your account numbers will be different.
Anyone can locate a bank's routing number, but your account number is unique to you, so it is important to guard it, just as you would your Social Security number or PIN code.
To protect fraudsters from accessing your accounts, create a strong password of at least 12 characters for your bank's website and payment apps. Choose security questions that you know the answer to and use multi-factor authentication.
How To Find Your Routing and Account Numbers
You can find your account and routing numbers at the bottom left side of paper checks issued from your checking account. Alternatively, you can often find the routing number when you log into an online banking portal.
Because your financial institution's routing number isn't unique to your account, you can find it online. Just make sure the website you use is the one owned by your bank or credit union.
If you need to know your routing and account numbers and don't have a check handy, sign in to your bank's website or app. On your account page, click on the full account number, which should show the routing number. If you can't find them, call your bank for your account number and the bank's routing number after they verify your identity.
Routing Number vs. Account Number Example
At the bottom of a check, you will see three sets of numbers. From left to right, the 9-digit routing number typically appears first, the account number second, and the check number listed third. However, those numbers can sometimes appear in a different sequence on a cashier's check.
These series of numbers is embedded with magnetic ink, known as your check’sMICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line. Pronounced "micker," the magnetic ink enables each bank’s processing equipment to read and process the account information.
How Do I Find My Routing Number and Account Number?
You can find both sets of numbers in a few places, including on your checks, bank statement, on your mobile banking app, or on the bank's website. Routing numbers are usually printed at the left-hand bottom of your check followed by your checking account number.
Which Comes First, Account Number or Routing Number?
The routing number appears first, followed by the account number. This is because a routing number is how a financial institution identifies itself, and, coupled with your banking account number, it can be used to find your account.
Which Routing Number Do You Use for a Direct Deposit?
To receive money from a direct deposit, the person or institution making the deposit will need your bank's routing number, along with your account number, for you to receive the funds.
Why Do I Have Two Routing Numbers?
While no two banks will have the same routing number, large financial institutions can have multiple routing numbers specific to the state or location of your account.
What Is an IBAN Number?
An IBAN is an international bank account number, a global standard for sending bank payments. It consists of 34 alphanumeric characters that identify the country, bank, branch, and account.
North American, Australian, and Asian countries don't use the IBAN for domestic money transfers and will only do so when sending a payment to a country that has adopted the IBAN.
The Bottom Line
Your bank's routing number is associated with a particular bank or financial institution, while your account number is associated with only your account within your bank. If you are unsure how to distinguish between your routing and account number, contact your banking institution. Remember to double-check both numbers whenever you provide them to another party to ensure the transaction goes smoothly.
