Download Article
When you're providing funds for an online transaction or filling out form for direct deposit, you'll often be asked for your bank's routing number. That's a nine-digit number provided by the American Banker's Association (ABA) that uniquely identifies the location of you bank account. Fortunately, it's easy to find.
-
1
Look in the lower left hand corner of the check. That's where routing numbers are located.
-
2
Look for an icon on the check. The icon is a character is from the BankerScriber MICR font.[1] It's unintelligible and is not part of the routing number.
Advertisement
-
3
Identify the first nine numbers. All routing numbers are nine numbers. The first nine numbers in the lower, left-hand part of your check after the MICR character is your routing number.
- Be sure to exclude any preceding MICR characters when determining your routing number.
- Following your routing number, the next set of numbers, up until the next MICR character, is your account number.
- The number following the MICR character at the end of the account number should match your check number.
-
4
Confirm your routing number by using symbols. The MICR symbols designating your routing number looks like a vertical line on the left, with two squares, one on top of the other, on the right. The numbers between those characters is your routing number.
-
5
Examine the first digit of your routing number. All routing numbers begin with the number 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Advertisement
-
1
Check online for your bank's routing number. Remember, the routing number isn't secure, so it's publicly available. You can often find it online.
- Visit your bank's website and look for a link that will provide information about routing numbers. Often, banks have routing number information published online.
- Google your bank's name plus the words "routing number." If you can't find it by looking directly at your bank's website, try Google. You might be surprised at how often you can find something with Google that you can't find easily at a company site.
-
2
Call your bank and ask for the routing number. One of the most reliable ways to get an accurate routing number is to talk to someone who's actually experienced in providing that information.
-
3
Visit your bank and ask a customer service representative for the routing number. If you'd like to work with someone locally, instead of at a call center, you should visit your bank and talk to someone who can provide you with your routing number.
Advertisement
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
The symbols used to delineate your routing number and account number do not represent any specific numeral. When identifying your routing number, it is not necessary to note the presence of the symbol.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
If your bank routing number begins or ends with the number 0, be sure to include it when you supply your routing number.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
Advertisement
Don’t rely on a deposit slip to find your routing number. Depending on the bank, the numbers listed on a deposit slip may be different from the numbers listed on a check.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
Advertisement
References
About This Article
Article SummaryX
To locate a routing number on a check, look at the bottom, left hand corner of your check. The routing number will start with a 0, 1, 2 or 3. If you’re still unsure that you have the right numbers, Google your bank's name plus the words "routing number" or call your bank’s customer service. For more detailed descriptions of how to find the routing number and to know what those other numbers are on the bottom of your check, keep reading.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 479,135 times.