When you need to identify a check's routing number, you need to find the nine-digit number used to identify the bank associated with the checking account. Common identified as a routing number, the ABA routing number indicates whether the bank is a federally or state-recognized institution and whether it has the ability to maintain an account within the federal reserve. Since 1911, Accuity has been the official register of routing numbers of the American Bankers Association. While an account number identifies your specific account with a bank, the routing number identifies the bank you use. Routing numbers are usually needed when ordering your checks or arranging a direct deposit or if you are paying bills over the phone using a check.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Find the Routing Number on a Check
Step 1. Look in the lower left corner of the check
This is the usual location for all routing numbers.
Step 2. Look for an icon on the check
This icon is a character of the BankScriber MICR font (pronounced "micker"). Do not it is part of the serial number.
Step 3. Identify the first nine numbers
This is the routing number: the first nine digits in the lower left of the check, after the MICR icon, are the routing number.
- Remember to exclude any MICR characters before determining the routing number.
- After the nine digits of the routing number, and up to the next MICR character, is your bank account number.
- The digits you see at the end of your checking account number, after another MICR character, should be the same as the check number.
Step 4. Confirm your routing number using symbols
The symbol indicating the routing number looks like a vertical line on the left, with two squares, one above the other, on the right.
Step 5. Look at the first digit of the routing number
All routing numbers begin with 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Method 2 of 2: Contact the Bank
Step 1. Search online for your bank's routing number
Remember, the routing number isn't secret, so it's publicly available. You can often find them online.
- Visit your bank's website and look for a routing number information page. Banks often have information on online routing numbers.
- Search Google for your bank name, plus "routing number". If you can't find it by searching directly on your bank's website, try Google. You might be surprised at how often you can find something with Google that cannot be easily found on a business site.
Step 2. Call your bank and get a routing number
One of the easiest ways to get a correct routing number is to talk to someone who actually knows this information.
Step 3. Visit the bank and ask someone for the routing number
If you prefer direct contact with a person rather than talking to a call center, you can visit a branch of your bank and talk to someone who can give you the information you are looking for.
Advice
- The symbols used to delineate the routing and account number do not represent any specific number. When identifying the routing number, symbols do not need to be considered.
- If the routing number starts or ends with 0, don't forget to include it when giving the routing number.
