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

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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

What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWallet (1)

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.

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

FAQs

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

Online bank and credit union routing numbers

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.

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.

What is the difference between a routing number and an account number? ›

Routing vs Account Number

A routing number is nine digits that identify the financial institution that holds your account, while an account number is the unique 9 to 12 digit number that identifies your specific account within that financial institution.

Is a bank routing number always 9 digits? ›

Routing numbers are always 9 digits long. Account numbers may be up to 17 digits long. Some banks list the routing number first on the check, while other banks list the account number first, and still more list the routing number, check number, then account number.

What routing number is 054000030? ›

054000030 is a routing number used for PNC BANK, NA in PA.

What bank is routing number 031176110? ›

031176110 is a routing number used for CAPITAL ONE N.A. in VA. This routing number supports ACH and Wire transfers. CAPITAL ONE N.A.

What is a routing number and why is it important? ›

The routing number identifies the financial institution responsible for the payment and ensures that funds go to the right place. Routing numbers were developed by the American Bankers Association in 1910 for processing checks. They're also known as ABA routing numbers or routing transit numbers.

What is an example of a routing number? ›

Wells Fargo routing numbers
StateRouting number
California121042882
Colorado102000076
Connecticut021101108
Delaware031100869
48 more rows
Jun 3, 2024

What is a routing number simple? ›

A routing number is a unique, nine-digit number that functions as an address for your bank. It is used for electronic transactions such as funds transfers, direct deposits, digital checks, and bill payments.

Can someone use my account number to withdraw money? ›

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.

Why is it important to fill out the memo line on a check? ›

Filling out the line that says “Memo” is optional, but helpful for knowing why you wrote the check. If you are paying a check for a monthly electric bill or rent, you can write “Electric Bill” or “Monthly Rent” in the memo area.

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.

Can two people have the same routing number? ›

If you have multiple accounts at one bank, you can still share one single routing number.” A routing number is unique to your bank.

Does everyone have their own bank routing number? ›

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.

What is your routing number? ›

The first set of numbers on the lower left corner of a check is the routing number. Keep in mind the routing numbers are 9-digit codes and the character symbol surrounding the numbers is not part of the routing number on a check.

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

Find your routing and account number by signing in to chase.com and choosing the last four digits of the account number that appears above your account information. You can then choose, 'See full account number' next to your account name and a box will open to display your bank account number and routing number.

What bank is routing number 101089742? ›

101089742 PATHWARD, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Routing Number
Routing Number101089742
BankPATHWARD, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ACH TransferYes
Wire TransferNo

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.

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