How Many Numbers Does a Bank Account Have?

Short answer: A US bank account has two main numbers. The routing number is always 9 digits, and it identifies your bank or credit union. The account number identifies your individual account at that bank, and it is usually 8 to 12 digits long, although the exact length varies by bank. On a paper cheque, there is a third number, the cheque number, which is a short number that identifies that single piece of paper. Together, those three numbers tell the banking system which bank to contact, which account to use, and which cheque was written.

That sounds simple, but the numbers cause a lot of confusion, because they sit next to each other on a cheque and no one labels them clearly.

The short answer, in one table

The routing number is the same for many customers of the same bank, because it identifies the bank, not you. The account number is unique to you. The cheque number is unique to one piece of paper in your chequebook.

What is a routing number?

A routing number is a 9 digit code that identifies a financial institution in the United States. It is also called an ABA routing number, because the American Bankers Association created the system, or a routing transit number. The Federal Reserve explains that each bank is assigned a routing number by an agent of the American Bankers Association, printed in magnetic ink along the bottom of a cheque.

A routing number tells the payment system which bank should receive or send the money. It does not identify you, your account, or your local branch. A payment needs the routing number to reach the right bank, and then it needs your account number to reach the right account inside that bank. Routing numbers are used for cheques, direct deposits, electronic transfers through the ACH network, and wire transfers. A large bank may have more than one routing number, so check whether your bank uses a different one for wires.

A routing number is not secret in the same way as your account number. Routing numbers are public, because they identify a bank, and a bank’s routing number is printed on every cheque it issues and published on its website. A routing number on its own cannot be used to take money from your account, because a payment also needs your account number.

How the 9 digits work

The 9 digits are not random. The first four digits form the Federal Reserve routing symbol. The first two digits identify which of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts the bank belongs to, from 01 for Boston through 12 for San Francisco. The next four digits, digits 5 to 8, identify the specific bank or credit union within that district. The ninth and last digit is a check digit, calculated from the first eight digits, which lets a computer catch a mistyped number before the payment is sent. The check digit uses a modulus 10 calculation, with the repeating weights 3, 7, and 1. You do not need to do this maths yourself. A routing number always starts with 0, 1, 2, or 3. If a number you are looking at starts with another digit, it is probably not a routing number.

What is an account number?

An account number identifies your individual account at your bank. It tells the bank which of its accounts the money should go into, or come out of. Your checking account and your savings account have different account numbers, even though they are both yours at the same bank. A joint account has one account number, shared by the people named on it.

Account numbers in the United States are usually 8 to 12 digits long, depending on the bank. Some banks use shorter numbers, and some use longer ones. There is no single national length, because each bank runs its own numbering system. Your account number may include leading zeros, and those zeros count. If your account number starts with 0, do not drop it. A form that drops a leading zero will point to a different account, or to no account at all. Your account number is private. Unlike a routing number, it identifies you, so treat it like a password and do not share it with anyone you do not trust.

What is a cheque number?

A cheque number is the number of the individual paper cheque. It is usually a short number, often 3 or 4 digits, and it appears twice on a cheque: once in the upper right corner, and once in the line of numbers along the bottom. The two should match. Cheque numbers usually start at a number such as 1001 and go up by one each time you write a cheque.

How to read the numbers on a cheque

Look at the bottom of a paper cheque. There is a row of numbers printed in a special magnetic ink, called the MICR line. On most personal cheques, the numbers appear in this order, from left to right: routing number, account number, cheque number. The routing number is the first group, on the left, with exactly 9 digits. The account number is the middle group, usually 8 to 12 digits. The cheque number is the last group, on the right, matching the number in the upper right corner. That order is usual, but not universal, so count the digits rather than assuming the leftmost number is the routing number.

Worked example: reading a sample cheque

The numbers below are made up, for illustration only. They are not a real bank’s routing number, and they are not a real person’s account number. Do not use them to send a payment. Suppose a sample cheque has this MICR line along the bottom, from left to right: routing number 123456789, account number 0001234567, cheque number 1001.

Step 1: The first group has 9 digits, so it is the routing number. Step 2: The second group has 10 digits, so it is the account number. Notice the leading zeros: the account number is 0001234567, not 1234567. Step 3: The last group has 4 digits, 1001, matching the number in the upper right corner. That is the cheque number. For direct deposit, you would enter 123456789 as the routing number and 0001234567 as the account number, and leave the cheque number out.

Where to find your numbers without a cheque

Your bank’s mobile app or online banking site is usually the fastest route. Log in, select the account, and look for the account details or direct deposit information. You may need to tap to reveal the full account number. Your monthly bank statement also shows both numbers. You can also call your bank, or visit a branch, and ask for the numbers. The bank will ask you to prove who you are first. Never give your account number to someone who calls you and asks for it.

Routing number vs account number, and SWIFT codes

A payment needs the routing number and the account number together. The routing number on its own cannot move money to you, because the system would not know which account at that bank to use. The account number on its own cannot move money either, because the system would not know which bank holds that account. For international payments, there is another code. A SWIFT code, also called a BIC, identifies a bank for international transfers. It is 8 or 11 characters long, made of letters and numbers. A routing number only works for domestic payments inside the United States, so if someone abroad is sending you money, ask your bank for its SWIFT code and wire instructions.

What to do when a form asks for your numbers

A direct deposit form asks for a routing number and an account number, and whether the account is checking or savings. Enter both numbers exactly as they appear, including leading zeros, and choose the right account type. A wire transfer form may also ask for the bank’s name and address, and an international wire form may ask for a SWIFT code. Read each label before you type. If a form rejects your entry, check whether you swapped the two numbers, included the cheque number by mistake, or dropped a leading zero. Those three errors cause most failed entries. The routing number for a paper cheque may not be the same as the routing number for a wire transfer, so check the bank’s wire instructions for a wire.

Keeping your numbers safe

Your routing number is public, but your account number is not. Treat your account number like a password. Do not share it in a public post, send it in an unencrypted email, or read it out where other people can hear it. When you give it to an employer for direct deposit, use a secure form or portal, not a plain email. Be careful with cheques: a cheque carries your routing number, your account number, your name, and your address on one piece of paper. Do not leave a chequebook in your car, do not throw away old cheques without shredding them, and do not send a photo of a cheque to someone you do not trust. A real bank will never call, text, or email you and ask for your full account number. A message that says your account will be closed unless you reply with your numbers is a scam. Do not reply. Use a strong password and two factor authentication, and check your statements regularly.

What to do if your numbers are exposed

If you think someone has seen your full account number, contact your bank straight away, using the number on the back of your card or on the bank’s official website. The bank may put a watch on the account, or it may give you a new account number. A new number means updating direct deposits and bill payments, but it is the safest option if the number has been widely shared. Check your recent transactions for anything you do not recognise, and report any payment you did not make at once. Change your online banking password. Do not wait: a stolen account number can be used weeks or months after it was exposed.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is swapping the routing number and the account number. A second mistake is including the cheque number in the account number. A third is dropping a leading zero from the account number. A fourth is using an old routing number after your bank has merged with another bank. A fifth is using the routing number from a cheque for a wire transfer, when the bank uses a different number for wires.

If you are choosing a bank account for the first time, it helps to know what to look for before you open it. See: How Do I Choose a Bank Account as a Beginner?

Once you have an account, knowing how checking and savings accounts differ helps you use the right one for the right job. See: Difference Between Checking and Savings Account

If you want to know whether your money in a bank is protected, it helps to understand what bank insurance means in plain English. See: Is My Money Safe in a Bank? What Does Insurance Mean?

And if you are building a safety net, a starter emergency fund gives you room to handle a surprise bill without borrowing. See: How to Build an Emergency Fund From Zero

FAQ

How many numbers does a bank account have?

A US bank account has two main numbers: a routing number, which is always 9 digits, and an account number, which is usually 8 to 12 digits. On a paper cheque, there is also a cheque number, usually 3 or 4 digits, which identifies that single cheque.

Is a routing number always 9 digits?

Yes. In the United States, a routing number is always exactly 9 digits. If a number has fewer or more than 9 digits, it is not a routing number.

How many digits is a bank account number?

It varies by bank, but it is usually 8 to 12 digits. There is no single national length, so check your own statement or cheque rather than guessing. Always include leading zeros.

Where is the routing number on a cheque?

On most personal cheques, the routing number is the first group of numbers along the bottom, on the left, in the MICR line. It has exactly 9 digits, with the account number in the middle and the cheque number on the right.

Is it safe to share my routing number?

A routing number on its own is public, because it identifies a bank, not a person. Your account number is private, and the two numbers together can be used to move money, so do not share your account number with anyone you do not trust.

What should I do if I give someone the wrong numbers?

Contact your bank straight away if a payment has already been sent. If it has not yet been sent, correct the numbers and double check them against your statement. If a direct deposit fails, check that you did not swap the two numbers, include the cheque number, or drop a leading zero.

Conclusion

A bank account has two main numbers, and a cheque adds a third. The routing number is always 9 digits, and it identifies your bank or credit union. The account number identifies your individual account, and it is usually 8 to 12 digits long. The cheque number is a short number that identifies one piece of paper, and it matches the number in the top right corner. On most cheques, the order along the bottom is routing number, account number, cheque number, but always count the digits, because some banks print them differently. Keep your account number private, double check both numbers before you submit a payment, and contact your bank at once if you think your numbers have been exposed. You can check the official routing number rules in the Federal Reserve Routing Number Guide.

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.