What are the numbers on a check? At the bottom of a check, you will see three groups of numbers. The first group is your routing number, the second is your account number and the third is your check number.
Knowing how to locate these important numbers is useful for setting up automatic payments for monthly bills and filing forms for actions such as direct deposit. Learn more about routing numbers, account numbers and check numbers below.
When you send or receive money directly from your bank account in transactions like electronic payments, banks need to know where that money is supposed to go.
The routing number identifies the financial institution where your money is held and serves as a designation for where to send funds being paid to you. Employers require your routing number in order to set up payment systems like direct deposit. 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.
Routing numbers, sometimes called transit numbers, are public and may vary based on the region where you opened your account. The second set of numbers following the character symbol immediately after your routing number is your account number. Sometimes the placement can be switched with the check number. To determine your account number, simply choose the longer number. Account Number. Routing Number vs. Account Number: An Overview Every bank-related financial transaction requires two key pieces of information to identify customers: the routing number and the account number, both of which are assigned when you open an account.
Key Takeaways Account and routing numbers work together to identify your account and ensure that your money ends up in the right place. Both numbers are required to complete many basic banking transaction. The routing number indicates what bank your account is held.
The account number is your unique identifier at that bank. Article Sources. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate.
You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy. Related Articles. Banking What Is an External Transfer? Banking Banking Checking Accounts Need to Void a Check? Partner Links. The magnetic ink character recognition line MICR is the line at the bottom of a check that includes the banking account, routing, and check numbers.
How Account Numbers Work An account number is a unique string of numbers and, sometimes, letters or other characters that identifies the owner of the account. Routing Transit Number A routing transit number is a nine-digit numerical code used to identify a banking or other financial institution for the purpose of clearing funds or processing checks in the United States.
How Does a Checking Account Work? A checking account is a highly liquid deposit account held at a financial institution that allows deposits and withdrawals. Investopedia is part of the Dotdash publishing family. Your Privacy Rights. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance.
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By Justin Pritchard. Justin Pritchard, CFP, is a fee-only advisor and an expert on personal finance. He covers banking, loans, investing, mortgages, and more for The Balance. He has an MBA from the University of Colorado, and has worked for credit unions and large financial firms, in addition to writing about personal finance for more than two decades. Learn about our editorial policies. Reviewed by Janet Berry-Johnson. Article Reviewed May 30,
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