When setting up direct deposits, making electronic payments, or verifying your account for certain services, you typically need to provide your routing and account numbers. These numbers are crucial for identifying which bank and specific account to draw funds from or deposit money into.
If you’re unsure where to find these numbers on your check, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick guide to finding your account number and routing number on a check.
Key Points
• The routing number is a unique nine-digit code found at the bottom left-hand corner of a check.
• This number identifies the bank where the account is held.
• The account number, typically eight to 12 digits long, is located to the right of the routing number on a check.
• Account numbers are specific to individual bank accounts and are used for transactions.
• Routing numbers can be found using various methods if no physical check is available, such as online banking, bank statements, or customer service.
Where Is the Routing Number on a Check?
The routing number on a check is a unique, nine-digit number that identifies the bank where your account is held. It’s typically located at the bottom left-hand corner of your check.
Look for a series of numbers printed along the bottom of you check. The routing number is usually the first set of numbers; it’s followed by your account number, and then the check number. The routing number will typically start with a 0, 1, 2, or 3. The symbols around the nine-digit number are not part of your routing number.
Some large financial institutions have multiple routing numbers to identify the state or area where your account is held. Banks also can have separate routing numbers for different types of transactions — such as one for processing paper checks and another for wire transfers.
Routing numbers are public, so you can also find this information on a bank’s website or by doing an internet search (more on this below).
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Where Is the Account Number on a Check?
On a check, the account number is typically located to the right of the routing number. It’s usually eight to 12 digits (though it can be longer) and may be followed by the check number.
Your account number is specific to your bank account and is used for transactions related to your account. If you have multiple accounts with the same bank, the account numbers will differ for each account.
The main purpose of an account number is to signal to the bank that’s processing the check which bank account to draw the funds from or, in the case of direct deposit, which account to deposit the money into.
Unlike routing numbers, bank account numbers aren’t public. If you don’t have a check handy, you can find your account number by logging into your account online or through your banking app. You may see something like this: XXXX-XXX-4567. Banks do this for privacy purposes (in case you’re accessing your account in a public place) but you can typically get the full account number by clicking on the partially hidden number. Your bank account number is also likely on your monthly statements.
Finding a Routing Number Without a Check
If you need to know your routing number but don’t have a physical check handy, don’t stress. Since a bank’s routing number is public information, there are several other easy ways to get it. Depending on the bank, you can typically find your routing number using one of these methods:
• Log in to your account. Once you sign in to your account, go to “account information” or “account summary.” The routing number should be listed there.
• Go to the bank’s website. Some banks post the routing number on the home page of their website. Or, they’ll put it elsewhere on the site, such as the FAQs.
• Google it. You can do an online search of your bank’s name and the phrase “routing number.”
• Check your bank statement. Some, though not all, banks will include the routing number on your monthly paper or electronic bank statements.
• Call the bank. A customer service rep will be able to give you the bank’s routing number.
• Visit a branch. Some banks display the routing number in the lobby. If not, you can simply ask a teller to give it to you.
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The Takeaway
Knowing where to find your routing and account numbers on a check is important for a variety of financial transactions. By familiarizing yourself with these numbers and how to locate them, you’ll be better equipped to manage your finances and complete transactions efficiently.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
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