What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWallet (2024)

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Your routing number is one of the long strings of numbers at the bottom of your checks. You need to know your number to set up direct deposit for your paycheck or benefits. But what exactly is a routing number, which number is it on the bottom of checks, and how else might you need to use it? Read on to find out.

What is a routing number?

Routing numbers are nine-digit numbers that identify the bank or credit union in a financial transaction. The numbers were adopted by the banking industry in 1910 to make transactions quicker and more efficient. Some banks have one specific routing number only, while bigger banks can have several routing numbers assigned to them. Using the numbers reduces the chances of miscommunication in money transfer requests. So even if two banks have similar names, they’re distinct from one another because of their different routing numbers.

Read ahead to see lists of routing numbers at a few of the largest banks in the country as well as some online banks and credit unions.

Understanding the parts of a check

What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWallet (1)

1. Your personal information2. Check number3. Date the check was written4. Recipient's name5. Payment amount

6. Memo line7. Name of the bank8. Routing number9. Account number10. Your signature

Learn more about the parts of a check.

When you’ll need your routing number

You’ll need your routing number in a variety of situations, including setting up direct deposit, automatic loan payments or recurring transfers like bill payments.

You’ll also need it when you file taxes if you want to receive your tax refund as a direct deposit or to debit a tax payment from your account. If you plan on transferring money between accounts at two different banks, you'll need it then, too.

You will only need your routing number when funds are being directly transferred to or from your bank account — never for debit card or credit card purchases.

How to find your routing number

Each bank has at least one routing number, although larger banks can have more. At a bank with multiple routing numbers, they can change depending on the location where you opened your account and the type of transaction you’re making. If you live in Texas, for example, your routing number to set up direct deposit can be different from your friend’s in California, and different from your mom’s when she’s accepting an incoming wire transfer — even if the three of you use the same bank.

You can find your routing number at the bottom left corner of your personal checks. It’s the first nine digits of the long line of numbers. Called the magnetic ink character recognition line, that string of numbers contains your routing number, account number and check number in that order.

If you don’t have a check handy, you can also find the routing number in the following places:

  • Your bank statement.

  • Your bank’s website or mobile app (you may need to log in to your account first).

  • Through your bank’s phone customer service.

  • The American Bankers Association’s routing number lookup.

Be aware that routing numbers can change. Financial institutions can close branches, reorganize operations or change the purpose of a routing number, all of which can affect the number connected to your account. If your bank has undergone changes (such as merging with another bank, for example) since you opened your account, confirm the routing number with your bank before using it.

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Bank of America routing numbers

Confirm that your state's routing number below is the same on your checks or in your logged-in online account.

Disclaimer: These are Bank of America routing numbers for checking accounts for electronic payments only. Some states or regions have different routing numbers for checks and electronic payments. In most cases, there are separate routing numbers for wire transfers as well.

State

Routing number

Alabama

051000017

Alaska

051000017

Arizona

122101706

Arkansas

082000073

California

121000358

Colorado

123103716

Connecticut

011900254

Delaware

031202084

Washington, D.C.

054001204

Florida

063100277

Georgia

061000052

Hawaii

051000017

Idaho

123103716

Illinois (South and Chicago Metro)

081904808

Illinois (North)

071000505

Indiana

071214579

Iowa

073000176

Kansas

101100045

Kentucky

064000020

Louisiana

051000017

Maine

011200365

Maryland

052001633

Massachusetts

011000138

Michigan

072000805

Minnesota

071214579

Mississippi

051000017

Missouri

081000032

Montana

051000017

Nebraska

123103716

Nevada

122400724

New Hampshire

011400495

New Jersey

021200339

New Mexico

107000327

New York

021000322

North Carolina

053000196

North Dakota

051000017

Ohio

071214579

Oklahoma

103000017

Oregon

323070380

Pennsylvania

031202084

Rhode Island

011500010

South Carolina

053904483

South Dakota

051000017

Tennessee

064000020

Texas

111000025

Utah

123103716

Vermont

051000017

Virginia

051000017

Washington

125000024

West Virginia

051000017

Wisconsin

051000017

Wyoming

051000017

Chase routing numbers

Chase routing numbers for personal accounts aren't available on Chase’s public-facing website. You can find your routing number by referencing your Chase bank account checks or by logging in to your account online.

Wells Fargo routing numbers

Confirm that your state's routing number below is the same on your Wells Fargo checks or logged-in online account.

Disclaimer: The Wells Fargo routing numbers below are for checking accounts that aren't used for wire transfers. There are two for California, but the one listed below works across the state.

State

Routing number

Alabama

062000080

Alaska

125200057

Arizona

122105278

Arkansas

111900659

California

121042882

Colorado

102000076

Connecticut

021101108

Delaware

031100869

Washington, D.C.

054001220

Florida

063107513

Georgia

061000227

Hawaii

121042882

Idaho

124103799

Illinois

071101307

Indiana

074900275

Iowa

073000228

Kansas

101089292

Kentucky

121042882

Louisiana

121042882

Maine

121042882

Maryland

055003201

Massachusetts

121042882

Michigan

091101455

Minnesota

091000019

Mississippi

062203751

Missouri

113105449

Montana

092905278

Nebraska

104000058

Nevada

321270742

New Hampshire

121042882

New Jersey

021200025

New Mexico

107002192

New York

026012881

North Carolina

053000219

North Dakota

091300010

Ohio

041215537

Oklahoma

121042882

Oregon

123006800

Pennsylvania

031000503

Rhode Island

121042882

South Carolina

053207766

South Dakota

091400046

Tennessee

064003768

Texas

111900659

Texas (El Paso)

112000066

Utah

124002971

Vermont

121042882

Virginia

051400549

Washington

125008547

West Virginia

121042882

Wisconsin

075911988

Wyoming

102301092

Online bank and credit union routing numbers

Confirm that your routing number below is the same in your logged-in online account. Unless otherwise noted, these are the routing numbers for electronic payments and checks.

Financial institution

Routing number

Ally Bank

124003116

Alliant Credit Union

271081528

Charles Schwab Bank

121202211

Discover Bank

031100649

SoFi Bank

031101334

Synchrony Bank

021213591

Frequently asked questions

Routing number vs. account number: What’s the difference?

The difference between a routing number and an account number is that a routing number identifies a specific bank while an account number identifies a personal bank account. The routing number is the first nine-digit number in the bottom left corner of a check. It’s immediately followed by the account number.

How do I find my bank's routing number?

The routing number is the first nine-digit number in the bottom left corner of a check.

How do I find my bank's routing number without a check?

You can find your bank’s routing number by contacting its customer service department. You can also find it on your bank statement and the bank’s website or mobile app.

What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

What Is a Routing Number? Definition and Where to Find Yours - NerdWallet? ›

Routing Number

Routing Number
A routing number is the term for bank codes in Canada. Routing numbers consist of eight numerical digits with a dash between the fifth and sixth digit for paper financial documents encoded with magnetic ink character recognition and nine numerical digits without dashes for electronic funds transfers.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Routing_number_(Canada)
: A nine-digit string used by banks to identify certain U.S. financial institutions is the routing number, commonly called an ABA routing number (short for the American Bankers Association). Banks need this number to send money back and forth.

What is a routing number and where can I find it? ›

The routing number is the nine-digit number printed in the bottom left corner of each check.

What is the difference between a bank number and a 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 usually be the same, but your account numbers will be different.

What routing number is 122235821? ›

This is the routing number for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration's (CDTFA) bank account (122235821). Check Digit. This is the final character of a routing number that is used to validate a specific routing number. DFI Account Number.

What is a bank routing number on a debit card? ›

The routing number identifies the state or region where your bank account is located and the transaction type. American Bankers Association (ABA) assigns routing numbers to financial institutions. Routing numbers are used for both checking accounts and savings accounts.

What is the routing number 101089742? ›

101089742 is a routing number used for PATHWARD, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION in SD. This routing number supports ACH transfers.

What bank is routing number 031176110? ›

031176110 CAPITAL ONE N.A. Routing Number
Routing Number031176110
BankCAPITAL ONE N.A.
ACH TransferYes
Wire TransferYes

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

With your bank account number, thieves can commit ACH fraud to withdraw your money, create fraudulent checks, make unauthorized purchases on sites like Amazon, and even set up "Buy Now, Pay Later" services like Affirm or Afterpay.

How many digits is a routing number? ›

A routing number is a unique, nine-digit number that functions as an address for your bank. It is used for electronic transactions such as funds transfers, direct deposits, digital checks, and bill payments.

Does your credit card have a routing number? ›

Credit cards don't have routing numbers as they're not needed for credit transactions. Instead of money being sent directly to or from your bank account, your credit card issuer processes the payment using a separate system.

Whose routing number is this 021200339? ›

021200339 is a routing number used for BANK OF AMERICA N.A. in VA. This routing number supports ACH transfers.

Who is routing number 063100277? ›

063100277 is a routing number used for BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. in VA. This routing number supports ACH transfers. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

What is routing number 026013576? ›

026013576 SIGNATURE BANK Routing Number. 026013576 is a routing number used for SIGNATURE BANK in NY.

What bank is this routing number 121000358? ›

121000358 BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. Routing Number
Routing Number121000358
BankBANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
ACH TransferYes
Wire TransferYes

What is Huntington's routing number? ›

IF YOU HAVE A CHECK

You can find your routing number on the bottom left of a voided check. When initiating a wire transfer to Huntington please use 044000024.

What routing number is 061000052? ›

061000052 is a routing number used for BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. in VA.

How do I find my routing number without a bank account? ›

Find A Routing Number Through The ABA

The American Bankers Association (ABA) allows users to find routing numbers via an online lookup tool.

How to find your routing number without a check on Chase? ›

Find your routing and account number by signing in to chase.com and choosing the last four digits of the account number that appears above your account information. You can then choose, 'See full account number' next to your account name and a box will open to display your bank account number and routing number.

Does everyone have a routing number? ›

Do all banks give you a routing number? Yes, so long as your bank is eligible for an ABA routing number, your bank should give you a routing number that you can use to process ACH payments, wire transfers and other transactions.

What bank is routing number 267084131? ›

267084131 is a routing number used for JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA in FL.

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