What is a Routing Number

A routing number (also called an ABA routing number, routing transit number, or RTN) is the 9-digit code that uniquely identifies a U.S. bank or credit union in the U.S. payments system. Every U.S. bank that processes paper checks, ACH (direct deposit and electronic payments), or wire transfers has at least one routing number issued by the American Bankers Association (ABA) and used by the Federal Reserve. The routing number tells the U.S. banking system which institution to deliver a payment to.

The routing number is the first 9 digits printed at the bottom of every U.S. paper check, followed by your account number and the check sequence number. It is paired with your account number to identify both the bank (routing number) and your specific account at that bank (account number) for any electronic or paper transaction. You need your routing number to set up direct deposit, schedule ACH bill payments, receive tax refunds and federal benefits, send and receive wire transfers, link external bank accounts in Zelle or budgeting apps, and order new checks.

The system was designed by the American Bankers Association in 1910 to standardize check processing across the rapidly expanding U.S. banking system. The original ABA routing number predates the Federal Reserve (founded 1913). Today there are more than 18,000 active U.S. routing numbers covering thousands of banks and credit unions. Below: the routing number format and how to read it, where to find your routing number, the difference between ABA routing, ACH routing, and wire routing numbers, the routing numbers for top U.S. banks, common security questions, and international equivalents (SWIFT, IBAN, SEPA).

Routing number format: how the 9 digits work

A U.S. routing number is a 9-digit number structured as XXXX-YYYY-C:

• Digits 1-4 (Federal Reserve Routing Symbol): identify the Federal Reserve district and the processing center. The first two digits are the Federal Reserve district (01 Boston, 02 New York, 03 Philadelphia, 04 Cleveland, 05 Richmond, 06 Atlanta, 07 Chicago, 08 St. Louis, 09 Minneapolis, 10 Kansas City, 11 Dallas, 12 San Francisco). The next two digits identify the Federal Reserve check processing center within the district.
• Digits 5-8 (ABA Institution Identifier): identify the specific bank or institution within the Federal Reserve district. These 4 digits are assigned by the American Bankers Association.
• Digit 9 (Check Digit): a verification digit calculated from the first 8 digits using a specific weighted formula. The check digit prevents transcription errors (a typo in any of the first 8 digits will produce an invalid check digit).

Example: routing number 121000248 (Wells Fargo, California):

1210 = Federal Reserve district 12 (San Francisco), processing center 10 (Los Angeles)

0024 = Wells Fargo’s institution identifier in that district

8 = check digit calculated from the first 8 digits

Where to find your routing number

You can find your routing number in 5 places, in roughly the order of speed:

1. Bottom of a paper check (fastest)

Look at the bottom-left corner of any U.S. check. The first 9 digits are the routing number, followed by your account number (usually 9-12 digits depending on the bank), followed by the check sequence number. The numbers are printed in MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) font, a special typeface that lets check processing machines read the numbers magnetically. The font has distinctive boxy characters and you cannot copy them with a regular pen (or rather, you can write the digits but they will not be machine-readable).

The routing number is always the leftmost 9 digits and is always exactly 9 digits long. The account number length varies by bank but is always to the right of the routing number, sometimes separated by a special MICR symbol.

2. Online banking dashboard

Log in to your bank’s website. The routing number is typically displayed in your account details or account information page, often labeled “Routing Number”, “ABA Routing”, or “ABA/Routing Number”. At some banks (Chase, Bank of America), you may need to click into a specific checking or savings account to see the routing number for that account.

3. Bank’s mobile app

Open your bank’s mobile app on iPhone or Android. The routing number is usually under Account Details, accessible by tapping on a specific account from the account list. Mobile apps often have a “Show Account & Routing Number” or “Direct Deposit Form” feature that displays both numbers and may also generate a printable PDF of a void check for direct deposit setup.

4. Bank’s routing number page (works without logging in)

Many banks publish their routing numbers on a public page on their website, often at bankname.com/routing-numbers. This is useful when you do not have access to a check or online banking. The bank’s published routing number page typically lists the routing number for each state (if the bank has multiple) and notes that wire transfer routing may differ from ACH routing.

5. Customer service phone

Call your bank’s customer service line. The representative will verify your identity and then provide the routing number for your specific account. This is the slowest option but works in any situation, including if you do not have a check, online banking access, or the mobile app.

ABA routing vs ACH routing vs wire transfer routing

A common point of confusion is that some banks use different routing numbers for different transaction types. The three main categories:

ABA routing number (paper checks and ACH at most banks)

The “main” routing number on the bottom of your checks, used for paper check clearing and (at most banks) also for ACH electronic transactions including direct deposit, ACH bill payments, and tax refunds. At most U.S. banks the ABA routing number on your checks is the same number you use for ACH.

ACH routing number (when different from ABA)

Some banks publish a separate ACH-specific routing number for electronic deposits and ACH payments, particularly larger banks that operate multiple processing centers. The ACH number may differ from the paper-check ABA number on your specific account. Check your bank’s routing number page or call to confirm.

Wire transfer routing number (Fedwire)

U.S. domestic wire transfers go through the Federal Reserve Fedwire system, which often uses a different routing number than the ABA/ACH number for the same account. Wire routing numbers are typically published on a separate “Wire Transfer Instructions” page at your bank. The wire routing number is critical for both incoming and outgoing wires; using the ACH number for a wire will cause the wire to be rejected or returned.

Banks where wire and ACH routing differ commonly: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most national banks have separate wire routing numbers. Bank of Hawaii uses a single wire routing number across both Hawaii and Guam/Saipan accounts. First Hawaiian Bank uses the Hawaii routing number (121301015) for all wires across Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan. WaFd Bank uses a single routing number (325070980) for both ACH and wire.

SWIFT code (international wires)

International wire transfers use a separate identifier called a SWIFT code (or BIC, Bank Identifier Code), an 8-or-11-character code identifying a specific bank for cross-border transfers. SWIFT codes are not 9-digit numbers; they are alphanumeric (e.g., Bank of Hawaii’s SWIFT is BOHIUS77, First Hawaiian Bank’s is FHBKUS77). SWIFT codes replace routing numbers for international transfers from non-U.S. banking systems.

Routing numbers vary by state at many U.S. banks

Several large U.S. banks have multiple routing numbers per state, based on which Federal Reserve district originally processed your account’s deposits when you opened the account. This is most common at banks that grew through state-by-state mergers and acquisitions over decades:

• Chase Bank has different routing numbers depending on the state where you opened your account (legacy Bank One, WaMu, and Chase Manhattan accounts may use different routing numbers).
• Bank of America has different routing numbers by state (legacy NationsBank, Continental Illinois, and other acquired-bank accounts use different numbers).
• Wells Fargo has different routing numbers by state (legacy Wachovia and Norwest accounts use different numbers).
• U.S. Bank has different routing numbers by state.
• PNC Bank has different routing numbers by state (post BBVA, post National City).
• TD Bank has different routing numbers by region (former Commerce Bank legacy numbers in the Northeast vs former Carolina First in the South).
• Citibank has different routing numbers by state.
• First Horizon Bank has different routing numbers by state (post 2020 IBERIABANK merger of equals).

To find your specific routing number when your bank has multiple: check the bottom of your check (the most reliable), log in to online banking and view your account details, look in the mobile app, or call customer service. Some banks publish a state-by-state routing number lookup on their website.

Banks with a single uniform routing number across all states and account types include:
WaFd Bank (325070980 uniform across all 9 states), FNBO (104000016 uniform across all 9 states), and most regional banks.

Routing numbers by bank: directory

Below is a directory of primary routing numbers for major U.S. banks. Multi-state routing varies and your specific account routing should be confirmed via your checks, online banking, or the bank’s routing number page. Click any bank for the full bank profile with current customer service numbers, ATM locator, hours, and more.

For the most accurate routing number for your specific account, verify with your bank directly. Click into the entity bank page above for the bank’s full profile with current customer service numbers.

Map of banks near me

Find your nearest bank to verify your routing number in person, or to talk to a banker about wire transfers and direct deposit setup.

What you need a routing number for

You typically need to provide your routing number (paired with your account number) for the following:

• Direct deposit from your employer or pension: provide routing and account number on a direct deposit form. Most employers use a void check (or printable bank-provided void check from the mobile app) to confirm both numbers.
• Tax refunds and federal benefits: IRS direct deposit, Social Security, SSI, VA benefits, and state tax refunds all require routing and account number.
• ACH bill payments: when you authorize a company (utility, insurance, mortgage, credit card) to draft your bank account, they need your routing and account number to set up the ACH debit.
• Sending or receiving a wire transfer: domestic wires require the wire-specific routing number (often different from the ACH/check routing). International incoming wires require your SWIFT code plus the U.S. routing number for the recipient bank.
• Linking external bank accounts in Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App: when you connect a bank account to one of these services, you provide routing and account number. The service often uses micro-deposit verification (small test deposits) to confirm you own the account.
• Ordering new checks: when you order checks through your bank or a third-party check printer, the printer uses your routing number to print the MICR line on the bottom of each check.
• External transfers between your own accounts at different banks: setting up a recurring transfer from your checking at one bank to your savings at another requires the routing and account number for both accounts.
• Refunds from a retailer or service: when a refund is too large to credit back to a card and needs to be processed by ACH, the retailer needs your routing and account number.

Is it safe to share my routing number?

Sharing your routing number alone is generally safe. Routing numbers are not secret; they are printed on every check, published on the bank’s website, and used by tens of thousands of merchants and employers daily. The routing number identifies the bank, not your specific account, so by itself it cannot be used to access or drain your money.

The risk is when you share routing number plus account number together. With both, a bad actor could:

• Initiate an unauthorized ACH debit to draft money from your account (illegal, recoverable through your bank’s dispute process within 60 days, but inconvenient).
• Print fake checks with your routing and account number to commit check fraud at a retailer (you have 60 days to dispute under Regulation E for consumer accounts).
• Set up a wire transfer FROM your account if combined with other identifying information (much harder than ACH; banks generally require additional verification).

Best practices: only share routing and account number with trusted parties (employers, government agencies, established billers, banks). Treat the combination like any other sensitive financial data. Many banks now offer virtual account numbers for ACH-only relationships (Capital One, Wells Fargo Control Tower) to limit exposure of your real account number. Review your bank statements monthly to catch unauthorized debits within the 60-day window for consumer-protection refund.

Routing numbers vs other bank identifiers

Routing number vs account number

The routing number identifies the bank (which bank). The account number identifies your specific account at that bank (which account, which customer). Both are needed for ACH transactions, direct deposit, and wire transfers. Routing numbers are 9 digits at all U.S. banks. Account numbers vary in length (typically 9 to 12 digits, but can be up to 17 digits at some banks).

Routing number vs SWIFT code (international)

The routing number is U.S.-only and used for U.S. domestic payments (paper checks, ACH, Fedwire). The SWIFT code (also called BIC, Bank Identifier Code) is the international equivalent for cross-border wire transfers, an 8-or-11-character alphanumeric code. SWIFT codes are used by the SWIFT messaging network that connects banks worldwide. Examples: BOHIUS77 (Bank of Hawaii), FHBKUS77 (First Hawaiian Bank), CHASUS33 (JPMorgan Chase USA), BOFAUS3N (Bank of America USA).

Routing number vs IBAN (Europe)

The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is the European equivalent of routing number plus account number combined into one identifier, used for SEPA payments and international wires to European banks. IBANs are 15 to 34 characters long depending on country (e.g., German IBAN is 22 characters, UK IBAN is 22 characters). The U.S. does not use IBAN. For incoming wires from Europe to a U.S. bank, the sender provides the U.S. bank’s SWIFT code and the recipient’s U.S. account number; no IBAN is generated for U.S. accounts.

Routing number vs sort code (UK)

The U.K. equivalent of a routing number is a sort code, a 6-digit code formatted as XX-XX-XX (e.g., 12-34-56). Sort codes identify U.K. banks for domestic GBP payments via the Faster Payments service, BACS direct debit, and CHAPS wire transfers. U.K. banks (HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, Bank of Scotland) use sort codes for domestic payments and SWIFT codes for international.

Routing number vs IFSC (India)

India uses an IFSC code (Indian Financial System Code), an 11-character alphanumeric code identifying an Indian bank branch for NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS payments. Format: 4-character bank code + 0 + 6-character branch code. Indian banks at U.S. branches (HDFC, ICICI, SBI) use U.S. routing numbers for U.S. domestic transactions and IFSC codes for transactions involving India.

Routing number history: 1910 to today

The routing number system was developed by the American Bankers Association in 1910 to standardize check processing across the U.S. banking system, which had been expanding rapidly with the post-Civil War economy. Before the ABA system, every bank used its own ad-hoc identifiers for clearing checks, which made interbank check processing slow and error-prone.

The system predates the Federal Reserve, established in 1913. When the Federal Reserve was created, the ABA routing number system was already in place and the Fed adopted it (with some modifications to encode Federal Reserve districts in the first 4 digits). The Fed’s adoption made the ABA routing number the de facto standard for all U.S. paper check and electronic interbank transactions.

The system has evolved significantly: the original 1910 system was paper-only; the Federal Reserve introduced MICR encoding in 1957 to machine-read routing numbers from check magnetic ink, enabling automated check sorting; the modern ACH network (Automated Clearing House) was launched in 1972 for electronic direct deposit and ACH payments using the same routing number framework; Fedwire (the Federal Reserve wire transfer system) was modernized through the 1980s and 1990s using the same routing infrastructure.

Today there are more than 18,000 active U.S. routing numbers, with new numbers issued by the ABA’s routing number registrar Accuity (now part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions). When U.S. banks merge or change branches, routing numbers may be retired, consolidated, or continued under the surviving bank.

Frequently asked questions

What is a routing number?

A routing number (also called ABA routing number, routing transit number, or RTN) is the 9-digit code that uniquely identifies a U.S. bank or credit union in the U.S. payments system. It is used for paper checks, ACH electronic deposits and payments, and wire transfers. Every U.S. bank that processes payments has at least one routing number, issued by the American Bankers Association and used by the Federal Reserve.

Where do I find my routing number?

Five places: (1) the bottom-left corner of any paper check, the first 9 digits; (2) your online banking dashboard in account details; (3) your bank’s mobile app under account details; (4) your bank’s routing number page on their website (e.g., chase.com/routing-numbers); (5) by calling your bank’s customer service. The check is the most reliable for your specific account.

Is a routing number the same as an account number?

No. The routing number identifies your bank (which institution). The account number identifies your specific account at that bank (which checking, savings, or other account). Both are needed together for ACH transactions, direct deposit, and wire transfers. Routing numbers are always 9 digits; account numbers vary by bank, typically 9 to 12 digits.

How long is a routing number?

U.S. routing numbers are exactly 9 digits. The first 4 digits identify the Federal Reserve district and processing center; digits 5-8 identify the specific bank; digit 9 is a check digit calculated from the first 8 to verify the number was entered correctly. Routing numbers shorter or longer than 9 digits are invalid.

Why does my bank have multiple routing numbers?

Large U.S. banks that grew through mergers and acquisitions (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, PNC, TD Bank) often have different routing numbers in different states or different legacy-bank account types. Routing numbers depend on the Federal Reserve district where the original processing center was located when the account was opened. Banks may also have separate routing numbers for ACH/check vs wire transfer transactions.

Is my routing number for direct deposit the same as my routing number for wire transfers?

Not always. Many large U.S. banks use a different routing number for wire transfers than for ACH direct deposit and paper checks. Check your bank’s “Wire Transfer Instructions” page or call customer service to confirm the wire-specific routing number before sending or receiving a wire. Using the wrong routing number (ACH for a wire, or vice versa) will cause the transaction to be rejected or returned.

Is it safe to share my routing number?

Sharing your routing number alone is generally safe. Routing numbers are not secret and are printed on every check. The risk is in sharing routing number AND account number together; with both, an unauthorized party could potentially initiate ACH debits or print fake checks. Only share both with trusted parties (employers, government, established billers, banks). Review bank statements monthly to catch unauthorized debits within the 60-day Regulation E refund window for consumer accounts.

What is the difference between a routing number and a SWIFT code?

The routing number is a 9-digit code for U.S. domestic payments (paper checks, ACH, Fedwire). The SWIFT code (also called BIC, Bank Identifier Code) is an 8-or-11-character alphanumeric code for international wire transfers. For example, Bank of Hawaii’s U.S. routing number is 121301028 (Hawaii) and its SWIFT code is BOHIUS77. International incoming wires to a U.S. bank use the SWIFT code; U.S. domestic transactions use the routing number.

Why do some routing numbers differ by state?

Multi-state U.S. banks often have different routing numbers by state because the routing number is tied to the Federal Reserve district that processes the account’s transactions, and Federal Reserve districts cover specific U.S. regions. When you open an account at a state branch of a multi-state bank, your account may be assigned to that state’s Federal Reserve processing center and given a routing number that identifies that specific processing relationship.

What if I enter the wrong routing number?

The routing number’s check digit (digit 9) catches most typos. If you enter an invalid routing number (one that fails the check digit math), the bank’s system will reject the transaction immediately. If you enter a valid routing number for the wrong bank, the transaction may be sent to that wrong bank; in most cases the wrong bank cannot process it because the account number does not match an account at that bank, and the transaction will be returned 1-3 business days later. ACH return is automatic; wire return may require manual intervention. Recovering funds sent to the wrong account at a real recipient is much harder and may require legal action.

Can I use the same routing number for direct deposit and ACH bill pay?

At most U.S. banks, yes. The routing number printed on your checks is typically the same routing number used for both direct deposit and outbound ACH payments. The exception is at some large national banks where the ACH routing may differ from the check ABA. Check your bank’s published routing number page or look at the routing number listed in your online banking dashboard for “direct deposit” or “ACH payments” specifically.

What is the U.K. equivalent of a routing number?

The U.K. equivalent is a sort code, a 6-digit code formatted as XX-XX-XX. Sort codes identify U.K. banks for domestic GBP payments. HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, and Bank of Scotland all use sort codes for U.K. domestic payments and SWIFT codes for international transfers.

What is the India equivalent of a routing number?

India uses the IFSC code (Indian Financial System Code), an 11-character alphanumeric code identifying a specific Indian bank branch for NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS payments. Format: 4-character bank code + 0 + 6-character branch code. Examples: HDFC0000123 (an HDFC Bank branch), ICIC0000456 (an ICICI Bank branch). HDFC, ICICI, SBI and other Indian banks use IFSC for India domestic transfers and SWIFT codes for international.

For more banking guides

• What is FDIC Insurance, the $250K per depositor per insured bank per ownership category formula, 8 ownership categories, what is and is not covered, and the FDIC vs SIPC vs NCUA difference
• How to Open a Bank Account, step-by-step guide to opening a US bank account, documents needed, online vs in-branch, ChexSystems screening, no-ChexSystems banks, ITIN for immigrants, minor and joint accounts
• How to Switch Banks, the 9-step switching process, re-routing direct deposit and bill pay, common mistakes (closing old account too soon), and bank-provided switching tools
• Banks Open Now Near Me, the right-now lookup matrix by day-of-week and time-of-day
• Banks Open on Holidays Near Me, the 11 federal holiday schedule including direct deposit and wire transfer timing across federal holidays
• Banks Open on Saturday Near Me, Saturday hours by bank including Saturday wire transfer cutoff handling
• Banks Open on Christmas Day, Dec 25 closure, direct deposit and wire timing through Christmas week
• Banks Open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Thanksgiving closure, Black Friday open status, direct deposit timing
• Drive Thru Banks Near Me, drive-up window vs drive-thru ATM
• ATM Near Me, find ATMs at any bank, surcharge-free options, and Envelope-Free Deposit ATMs
• Banks Near Me homepage, a directory of 80+ U.S., U.K., and international banks