A routing number (also called an ABA routing transit number) is the nine-digit code that identifies your bank on checks, direct deposits, ACH transfers and wires. Type one below to check whether it’s correctly formatted and what each part of the number means. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Routing Number Checker
Check whether a 9-digit ABA routing number is valid and what its digits mean.
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Where to find your routing number
- On a check: it’s the first set of nine digits in the bottom-left corner, followed by your account number and the check number.
- In your banking app or online banking: look under account details or “direct deposit information.”
- On your bank’s website: many banks list routing numbers by state.
- On a bank statement or by calling the number on the back of your debit card.
How the check-digit test works
The ninth digit is a check digit. Multiply the digits by 3, 7, 1, 3, 7, 1, 3, 7, 1 in order and add the results. For a valid routing number, the total is divisible by 10. It catches most typos, like a wrong digit or two swapped digits — but a number that passes isn’t necessarily the bank you expect.
| First two digits | What they mean |
|---|---|
| 00 | U.S. government |
| 01–12 | Banks, by Federal Reserve district |
| 21–32 | Thrift institutions, such as credit unions and savings banks |
| 61–72 | Electronic transaction identifiers |
| 80 | Traveler’s checks |
ACH vs. wire routing numbers
Many large banks use one routing number for checks, direct deposits and ACH transfers and a different one for wire transfers. Some also have different numbers by state, depending on where you opened your account. Always ask the recipient, or your bank, for the right number for the type of payment you’re making.
Fraud tip: Scammers often send “updated” payment instructions with new routing and account numbers. Before you send a wire or change direct deposit details, confirm by calling a number you already know is real, not one in the message.
Setting up a new account? See our guide to switching banks, the documents you’ll need and the best free checking accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a routing number the same as an account number?
No. The routing number identifies the bank; the account number identifies your account at that bank. You need both for direct deposit and transfers.
Is it safe to share my routing number?
Your routing number is public — it’s printed on every check. Be more careful with your account number, and share both only with people and companies you trust.
Can a bank have more than one routing number?
Yes. Large banks often have several, based on the state where the account was opened, and a separate number for wires.
How do I find which bank a routing number belongs to?
Use the Federal Reserve’s official E-Payments Routing Directory at frbservices.org, or ask the bank directly.
Sources: American Bankers Association routing number policy; Federal Reserve Financial Services E-Payments Routing Directory. This tool checks format only and doesn’t confirm that a number belongs to a particular bank. For informational purposes only.