What is a Routing Number on a Check? (2024)

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  • A routing number is a tool for identifying a financial institution.
  • You can find a routing number on a check or monthly bank statement.
  • Some financial institutions may have different routing numbers for different states.

A routing number is an important number to have if you're setting up an electronic transfer between two U.S. financial institutions.

Here's what you need to know about routing numbers, such as what they are and how to find them. We've also included the routing numbers at some of the best banks to save you time.

Introduction to routing numbers

Definition of a routing number

A routing number is a number that can be used to identify your financial institution. It's also called an ABA routing number (ABA stands for "American Bankers Association").

You might use it to set up direct deposits, establish recurring bill payments, or make transfers between banks in the United States.

History of routing numbers

The American Bankers Association created routing numbers as a way of pinpointing specific payments to a particular financial institution. Banks implemented this system in 1911.

In 1973, the American Bankers Association and the Federal Reserve System worked together to come up with a policy that would define a routing number's purpose, how a routing number could be obtained, and a policy for how many routing numbers a bank could have.

Structure of a routing number

A routing number is nine digits long. It also generally starts with a "0", "1," "2," or "3."

Some national financial institutions have different routing numbers depending on the state. For example, a California resident who opened a bank account at a national bank may have a different routing number than a Texas or New York resident who is a part of the same bank.

How to find a routing number

How to find a routing number on a check

You can find the routing number on the form's bottom left-hand corner if you have a check. You can distinguish the routing number from an account number because the former starts with a"0", "1," "2," or "3."

How to find a routing number without a check

If you don't have a check, here are a few places where you may be able to find the routing number:

  • Online through the financial institution's website
  • Your mobile banking app
  • On your monthly bank statement

Contact customer service if you can't find a routing number through one of the ways listed above.

The American Banker's Association also has an online tool that looks up your routing number if you provide general information about your financial institution. This tool allows you to make two searches per day and 10 searches per month.

Differences between routing numbers and other financial numbers

Routing numbers vs. account numbers

A routing number helps identify a specific financial institution, while an account number is used to determine a person's bank account.

There are several ways you can distinguish routing numbers from account numbers. For example, routing numbers are nine digits long, while account numbers can vary from eight digits to 12 digits. Routing numbers also always start with a "0," "1," "2," or "3," but bank account numbers can start with different digits.

If you're looking for a bank account number on a check, you'll find it on the bottom middle of the financial instrument. Meanwhile, a routing number is located on the bottom left-hand corner of a check.

Swift codes and IBANs

If you are sending money internationally, you'll use a SWIFT code and International Bank Account Number (IBAN) to make a transfer.

A SWIFT code is similar to a routing number — it's used to identify a bank. Meanwhile, IBAN numbers are like bank account numbers because they determine which bank account you're sending money to.

How to find routing numbers at the biggest banks

Chase routing numbers

Chase Bank doesn't share routing numbers on its website. To find a Chase routing number, you'll have to be a Chase customer and sign in to your account through online or mobile banking.

Bank of America routing numbers

Bank of America routing numbers are available on the bank's website. Bank of America has different routing numbers for different states, plus distinct routing numbers for wire transfers.

Here are the routing numbers at Bank of America to make electronic payments (ACH transfers, direct deposits, automatic payments):

State

Routing number

Alabama

051000017

Alaska

051000017

Arizona

122101706

Arkansas

082000073

California

121000358

Colorado

123103716

Connecticut

011900254

Delaware

031202084

Florida

East: 063100277

West: 063100277

Georgia

061000052

Hawaii

051000017

Idaho

123103716

Illinois

South: 081904808

North: 071000505

Chicago Metro: 081904808

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

Washington, DC

054001204

West Virginia

051000017

Wisconsin

123103716

Wyoming

051000017

Wells Fargo routing numbers

Wells Fargo routing numbers are available online through the bank's website. Wells Fargo has many routing numbers, so you'll fill out a quick questionnaire to help you determine which routing number you'll need.

Here are the routing numbers for Wells Fargo checking accounts involving ACH transfers:

State

Routing number

Alabama

062000080

Alaska

125200057

Arizona

122105278

Arkansas

111900659

California*

121042882

Colorado

102000076

Connecticut

021101108

Delaware

031100869

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

07002192

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

El Paso: 112000066

Other areas: 111900659

Utah

124002971

Vermont

121042882

Virginia

051400549

Washington

125008547

Washington, DC

054001220

West Virginia

121042882

Wisconsin

075911988

Wyoming

102301092

*Southern California residents may find a different routing number on their checks. You can use either number.

USAA routing numbers

USAA Bank has one ABA transit routing number: 314074269.

PNC Bank routing numbers

To find a PNC Bank routing number, customers with checking and savings accounts will have to log into online or mobile banking. You'll also find your routing number on the bottom left-hand corner of a check.

If you're initiating an incoming wire transfer, PNC Bank has a unique routing number for this type of transaction. The routing number is 043000096.

TD Bank routing numbers

TD Bankhas branches on the East Coast. Here are the bank's routing numbers for each state:

State

Routing number

Connecticut

011103093

Delaware

031201360

Florida

067014822

Maine

211274450

Maryland

054001725

Massachusetts

211370545

New Hampshire

011400071

211370545 (Seabrook, Plaistow, Kingston, Hampstead, Derry, Londonderry, Salem locations)

New Jersey

031201360

New York

Metro NYC/Commerce: 026013673

Upstate NY/former Banknorth customers: 021302567

North Carolina

053902197

Pennsylvania

036001808

Rhode Island

211370545

South Carolina

053902197

Vermont

011600033

Virginia

054001725

Washington, DC (Metro)

054001725

U.S. Bank routing numbers

U.S. Bank has a routing number directory online. Here are the bank's routing numbers for different regions and states:

State

Routing number

Arizona

122105155

Arkansas

082000549

California

Northern: 121122676

Southern: 122235821

Colorado

Aspen: 102101645

Other Areas: 102000021

Idaho

123103729

Illinois

Northern: 071904779

Southern: 081202759

Indiana

074900783

Iowa

Council Bluffs: 104000029

Kansas

101000187

Kentucky

Western: 083900363

Northern: 042100175

Minnesota

East Grand Forks: 091215927

Moorhead: 091300023

Other areas: 091000022

Missouri

Western: 101200453

Other areas: 081000210

Montana

092900383

Nebraska

104000029

Nevada

121201694

New Mexico

107002312

North Carolina

064103707

North Dakota

091300023

Ohio

Cleveland: 041202582

Other areas: 042000013

Oregon

123000220

South Dakota

091408501

Tennessee

064000059

Utah

124302150

Washington

25000105

Wisconsin

075000022

Wyoming

307070115

Other States

091000022

Routing number FAQs

What exactly is the routing number on a check?

A routing number is nine digits and helps identify U.S. banks. Routing numbers can be used to make everyday transfers like direct deposits or bill payments.

How can I find my bank's routing number?

You can find your bank's routing number on a check or through mobile or online banking.

Are routing numbers the same for all types of transactions?

Some financial institutions, like Bank of America, have one routing number for wire transfers and another for electronic payments like ACH transfers, direct deposits, and automatic payments.

Is there a difference between routing numbers used for domestic and international transactions?

Routing numbers are used for wire transfers between U.S. banks. If you're sending a wire transfer to an international bank, you'll use a SWIFT code instead.

Can routing numbers change?

If you switch banks, you'll have a different routing number because each financial institution has its own number that serves as a form of identification. You might also get a new routing number if your bank is part of a merger or acquisition.

What happens if I use the wrong bank routing number?

If the routing number doesn't exist, it will automatically be rejected. If there's another bank with the routing number you used, your transaction will be processed by that financial institution, although it likely won't go through because it won't match an existing bank account. In the rare instance that it does match an account, your transaction will be processed and you'll have to contact your bank's customer service department to see what you can do.

Sophia Acevedo

Banking Editor

Sophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics.ExperienceSophia leads Personal Finance Insider's banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, budgeting, and general saving. Sophia was also a part of Business Insider's 2024 series "My Financial Life," which focused on telling stories that could help people live and spend better.Before joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist.Sophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of ABLE Accounts, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a 2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia's expertise includes:

  • Bank accounts
  • Savings and CD rate trends
  • Budgeting
  • Saving
  • How banks operate

EducationSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.Sophia is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.She is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon.

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What is a Routing Number on a Check? (2024)

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