What is the account number and routing number on a check

The ABA routing number was developed by the American Bankers Association in 1910. It identifies the specific financial institution responsible for the payment of a negotiable instrument.

Originally designed to identify only check processing endpoints, it has evolved to designate participants in automated clearinghouses, electronic funds transfer and online banking. The ABA routing number has changed over the years to accommodate the Federal Reserve System, the advent of MICR, and the implementation of the Expedited Funds Availability Act and Check 21.

Who Is Eligible for an ABA Routing Number?

An ABA Routing Number can be issued only to a federal or state chartered financial institution which has been determined to be eligible for a master account by a Federal Reserve Bank. The assignment of a routing number does not expand or change in any way the powers of the financial institution as specified in its charter. For more details, see the entire Routing Number Policy. Once in receipt of the assigned routing number, the financial institution must actually be granted the master account at one of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks in order to have direct access to the Federal Reserve’s payment systems and to settle transactions with other participants in the central banking system.

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Where is the ABA routing number on my checks?

You can find the ABA routing number at the bottom of your checks. The ABA Routing Number is the left-most number, followed by your account number, and then by the number of the check.

What is the account number and routing number on a check

Obtaining a Routing Number

LexisNexis Risk Solutions is the official registrar of ABA Routing Numbers. A newly organized financial institution must complete and submit an application to LexisNexis Risk Solutions to be assigned its ABA routing number. For additional details regarding the application process, contact:

Routing Number Registrar
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
1007 Church Street
Evanston, Illinois 60201
(800) 321-3373
(847) 933-8040 fax
[email protected]

ABA Key to Routing Numbers

In addition to its Registrar duties, LexisNexis Risk Solutions publishes the American Bankers Association's Key to Routing Numbers. Since 1911, this Directory has been providing the industry with the official routing number information. The ABA Key to Routing Numbers is published semi-annually to keep pace with the rapid changes in the industry.

Inaccurate, incomplete, or missing routing number information can cost you thousands of dollars every month. With the latest ABA Key to Routing Numbers, you will always have the accurate data right at your fingertips. Each new edition covers thousands of updates, including title changes and newly assigned or retired routing numbers.

This invaluable resource can help you process checks and return items, initiate wire transfers, pre-authorize drafts, and handle collections. In addition to listings of every active nine-digit routing number (approximately 28,000), you also get five years of retired routing number information for research purposes.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions offers a full line of payment solutions that includes routing numbers, in print, web-based look-up & electronic formats, to facilitate payment processing as well. To order the ABA Key to Routing Numbers publication and other valuable banking products, contact:

LexisNexis Risk Solutions
1007 Church Street
Evanston, Illinois 60201
(800) 321-3373
(847) 933-8101 fax
[email protected]
Visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions at: https://risk.lexisnexis.com


Find your account number on a check

Your account number is on the bottom of a check. It’s the second set of numbers, between the nine-digit routing number and the check number.

What is the account number on a check?

The account number listed on a check is used to identify the unique bank account that the money is coming from. Without the right account number, paychecks can get delayed or fees may be charged for missing bills due to checks not going through.

If you have multiple checking accounts (such as a personal and business accounts), each has its own account number. Though a routing number is specific to your bank or credit union, an account number is specific to you. Account numbers vary in length but typically only go up to 12 digits.

Other ways to find your account number

Find your account number on a paper statement

If you have a paper bank statement or an electronic (PDF) version of it, your account number should be listed on the top. Look for “account number,” followed by a series of numbers.

Find your account number through online banking

Sign into your bank account through the bank’s online portal. The account number may be displayed in the account information or account summary sections, but some banks and credit unions may cloak part of it. If so, there’s likely a prompt that says “show” or “reveal” to display all the digits.

Call your bank and ask for your account number

A customer service representative at your bank can provide you with your account number. The representative will likely ask a few security questions to verify your identity before providing the information.

What is the routing number on a check?

Though the bank account number indicates the unique account you use to fund the check, the routing number identifies the bank itself. Routing numbers are required for many types of financial transactions, including check processing and wire transfers.

Like the account number, the routing number can be found at the bottom of a check. It is the first set of numbers, nine digits long, on the left.

Bottom line

At its core, your account number is a unique identifier for your bank account. It’s important because it tells the bank or credit union exactly which account to take money from and which one it belongs in. The account number is needed to enroll in direct deposit and setting up electronic payments.

–Anna Baluch contributed to a previous version of this article.

Where is account number and routing number on check?

Your account number is located along the bottom of your check, to the right of the routing number and to the left of the check number.

How do you read the account number on a check?

Check the number at the bottom of your cheque This number contains your account's information. The transit number is 5 digits. The institution number is 3 digits. The account number is 7 digits.

What number is the routing number on a check?

You can find the ABA routing number at the bottom of your checks. The ABA Routing Number is the left-most number, followed by your account number, and then by the number of the check.

How many numbers are in an account number?

How many digits is a bank account number? Bank account numbers typically consist of eight to 12 digits, but some account numbers could even contain up to 17 digits.