What's a Bank Routing Number and How Is It Used?

Key insights:

• A bank routing number is a 9-digit number that identifies your bank in financial transactions
• Knowing your bank routing number is essential for everyday banking tasks like setting up direct deposit to receive your paycheck, paying bills and sending money securely
• You can find your bank routing number on your personal check, in your online banking account or mobile banking app or by contacting your bank

Knowing how to find and use your bank routing number is an essential part of managing your money. Whether you’re setting up a direct deposit for your paycheck or sending money to a friend, your routing number plays an important role.

What is a bank routing number?

A bank routing number, sometimes called an ABA routing number, is a 9-digit code used to identify banks or credit unions in financial transactions. Much like a postal ZIP Code identifies the specific geographic region and delivery route your physical mail travels to get to your home, a bank routing number identifies the digital route that money takes to get to (or from) your bank account.

How is a routing number different than an account number?

While your checking account number is unique to you, your routing number identifies the specific bank or credit union where your account is held. Whenever you make a transaction, your bank routing number and account number work together to make sure external transactions are routed correctly.

How to find your routing number

You can find your routing number on the bottom-left corner of a personal check, on your bank’s website or mobile app, or by contacting your bank directly.

How to find your routing number on your personal check

If you have a checkbook handy, take a look at the bottom edge of any paper personal check. You should see three sets of numbers, usually separated by a symbol, printed in a blocky font. Your routing number is the first set of 9 numbers on the far left. Typically, it will start with a 0, 1, 2 or 3.

The middle set of numbers is usually your account number, followed by the check number on the right.

How to find your routing number if you don’t use paper personal checks

If you don’t use paper personal checks, there are a few other ways to find your routing number:

• Online and mobile banking: If you use online banking or mobile banking, you should be able to find your routing number listed under account details or settings
• Bank statements: Your monthly bank statements may have your routing number printed near the top of the document.
• ABA lookup tool: The American Bankers Association (ABA) manages an official routing number look up tool. All you need to get started is your bank's name and location.
• Customer service or branch visit: If you’re having trouble finding your routing number, you can always call your bank’s customer support line or ask a teller at a local branch for help.

When you might need your bank routing number

You may need your bank routing number for several common banking tasks. Here are some of the ways you may use it:

Setting up direct deposit: Give your employer the routing and account numbers so your paycheck can be deposited directly into your checking account.

Automating bill payments: Use your routing and account numbers to schedule recurring payments for expenses such as utilities, rent or a car loan.

Sending and transferring money: Your routing number may be needed to move money electronically, including:

• ACH transfers: A common way to move money between accounts at different banks or pay bills electronically.
• Wire transfers: Often used when you need to send a large amount of money quickly, such as for a home down payment.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments: Some P2P payment services use your routing and account numbers to link your bank account and send money to friends and family.

Filing your taxes: Providing your routing and account numbers can help you receive a tax refund through direct deposit or make a payment directly from your account.

Disclosure: This article is for general educational purposes. It is not intended to provide financial advice. It also is not intended to completely describe any Citi product or service. You should refer to the terms and conditions financial institutions provide for various products.