Routing Number vs. Account Number: What's the Difference? (2024)

Your bank routing numberand a unique account number are assigned when you open an account. You can find both of these at the bottom of paper checks or via your online account. These numbers are also needed when you do electronic bank transfers or wires online. Find out how the numbers differ and how to use them.

Key Takeaways

  • Account and routing numbers work together to identify your account and ensure that your money ends up in the right place.
  • Financial institution routing numbers are known as RTNs (Routing Transit Numbers) or ABA (American Bankers Association) routing numbers.
  • Both numbers are required to complete many basic banking transactions.
  • The routing number indicates what bank your account is held in.
  • The account number is your unique identifier at that bank.

Routing Number vs. Account Number: What's the Difference? (1)

Routing Number vs. Account Number

To make many financial transactions such as setting up a direct deposit or ordering checks online, you will need both your bank’s routing number and your account number.

Account numbers are like customer IDs or fingerprints specific to each accountholder. Routing and account numbers are assigned to indicate precisely where funds in a transaction are coming from and going.

Similarly, routing numbers identify each banking institution with a unique numerical ID. Any time you make an electronic funds transfer, for instance, the routing and account numbers must be provided to the relevant financial institutions.

Routing numbers are nine digits long, and account numbers are usually between nine and 12 digits, although some may be longer.

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 Number

The routing number (sometimes referred to as an ABA routing number, short for the American Bankers Association) is a sequence of nine digits used by banks to identify specific financial institutions within the U.S. This number proves that the bank is a federal- or state-chartered institution and maintains an account with the Federal Reserve.

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.

When do I need my routing number? Your account and routing numbers are required forevery conceivable banking transaction, whether within the bank where the account is held or between banking institutions.

Small banks generally possess just one routing number, while large multinational banks can have several different ones, usually based on the state in which you hold the account.Routing numbers are most commonly required when reordering checks, for payment of consumer bills, to establish a direct deposit (such as a paycheck), or for tax payments.

The routing numbers used for domestic and international wire transfers aren'tthe same as those listed on your checks. However, they can easily be obtainedonline or by contacting your bank.

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, in most cases, 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.

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 may be able to simply find it online. Just make sure the website you use is the one owned by your bank or credit union.

If you don't have a check handy and you need to know your routing and account numbers, you can check your bank's website or app. When you get to your account, click on the full account number, and it should show you the routing number. You can also call your bank and ask for the bank's routing number and account number after you verifiy your identity.

Routing Number vs. Account Number Example

At the bottom of a check, you will see three sets of numbers. The 9-digit routing numbers typically appear as the first group, account numbers are the second group of numbers and check numbers are the third number. Sometimes, however, such as on cashier's checks, those numbers can appear in a different sequence.

This 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 the bank's website. Routing numbers are usually printed at the left-hand bottom of your check and your checking account number will follow it.

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, it isn't unusual for large financial institutions to have many routing numbers, which are specific to the state or location where your account is held.

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

If you are ever unsure which number is which between your routing and account numbers, you can contact your banking institution. Always remember to doublecheck both numbers whenever you provide them to another party. This willensure a seamless transaction that avoids delays or associated bank charges stemming from the funds ending up in an incorrect account.

Routing Number vs. Account Number: What's the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Routing Number vs. Account Number: What's the Difference? ›

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.

What is the difference between account number and 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, in most cases, be the same, but your account numbers will be different.

Is routing and account number enough for direct deposit? ›

Routing and account numbers are essential for most basic financial actions, such as making a transfer of funds or setting up automatic deposits.

Is account number and routing number enough? ›

Someone with access to both your account number and routing number could withdraw money from your personal bank account. They could also use these account details to shop online, pay bills, create counterfeit checks or apply for new credit accounts.

What happens if the wrong account number is but the right routing number? ›

If you made a mistake with your routing or account number, the bank may catch the problem and reject the transaction. But in some cases the bank may miss it, and the money can be deposited into the wrong account. If that happens, contact your financial institution to try to fix the problem.

Do the zeros in front of an account number matter? ›

The preceding zeroes are implied and usually dropped off of account numbers in order to not confuse customers and accounts for payroll firms understand that the zeroes are supposed to be there. As account numbers are the same as a customer's ID number, just the leading zeroes are different.

Is it safe to give someone your routing number and account number? ›

If someone has access to both your bank account and routing number, they could make fraudulent ACH transfers and payments out of your account. In other words, you could wind up being scammed. That's why it's so important to understand this aspect of your personal finances and protect your money.

Can someone withdraw money with a routing and account number? ›

The Difference Between Routing Number and Account Numbers

With both of these pieces of information, someone can potentially use them to withdraw money, pay their own bills, purchase items online from vendors, or set up a new account using your funds—all from your checking account.

How do I know which routing number to use for direct deposit? ›

Your Bank's Online Portal or App — Outside of looking at your checks, the quickest and easiest way to find your bank's routing number is to check your account information through your bank's online portal or mobile app. Bank Statements — You can usually find your routing number somewhere on your monthly bank statement.

Which account number to use for direct deposit? ›

Personal checks: The nine on the bottom left are the routing numbers. The middle number is the checking account. The third number matches the check number at the top right. Direct deposit needs the routing and checking account numbers.

Can someone check my bank account balance with my account number? ›

Most banks no longer allow others to check or know your bank account balance. However, some banks provide the account balance details when people simply call and request it. For instance, anyone knowing your account information can call the bank to verify the fund on a cheque.

How important is routing number? ›

A routing number is a nine-digit bank identification number. Think of it as a numerical address that allows a bank to send and receive money from other financial institutions. The routing number identifies the financial institution responsible for the payment and ensures that funds go to the right place.

Which bank details are safe to give out? ›

It's generally considered safe to give out your account number and sort code, but you should always use common sense and avoid sharing your bank details with people you don't know or expect payments from.

Will money bounce back if account number is wrong? ›

In a lot of cases, if you have just simply entered a wrong number in the account number, the funds will bounce back, because of back-end checks employed by the bank, however sometimes this won't occur so you do need to tell your transfer service as soon as possible.

Will money get transferred if account number is wrong? ›

If you have made the wrong transaction then immediately inform the bank and its concerned manager. You must know that if the account number mentioned by you does not exist then your money will automatically be transferred into your account. In case the account number exists, you will have to take an immediate action.

What makes a routing number invalid? ›

Invalid financial institution routing transit number - must meet IRS requirements, must be nine number not including hyphens, and first two digits of routing transit must be within 01-12 or 21-32.

Is your routing number and account number on your card? ›

Credit cards (and other payment cards) don't have routing numbers. RTNs are associated with banks and bank accounts, not payment cards. People tend to mix up routing numbers with account numbers, which identify specific cardholders within the institution.

How do I find my routing or account number? ›

If you look along the bottom of your checks, you'll usually see three different numbers aligned in a row. From left to right, the first is the routing number for your bank. The second is your unique checking account number.

How many digits is an account number? ›

Bank account numbers typically consist of eight to 12 digits, but some account numbers could even contain up to 17 digits. You can find your account number on your checks or by accessing your account on your financial institution's website or by contacting the bank directly.

Which one is the account number on a card? ›

The account number on a debit card technically refers to the 16-digit primary account number (PAN), the unique card identifier located on the front of the card. However, PAN is not a common term in consumer circles.

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