How to Find Your Routing Number: 5 Reliable Methods

Needing your routing number and not knowing where to find it is more common than you might think. Whether you're setting up direct deposit, paying a tax bill, or linking your bank to a payment app, here are five reliable ways to track it down — ranked from fastest to slowest.

Method 1: Use Our Free Routing Number Lookup

The fastest method is to use our routing number lookup tool. Enter your bank's name in the search box and we'll show you the routing numbers on file, along with the transaction types each one supports (ACH, wire, check). Our data comes directly from the Federal Reserve's FedACH directory, so it's always up to date.

This is especially useful if you know your bank but aren't sure which of several routing numbers to use. We display the state associated with each routing number, which matters for large banks that assign different routing numbers to different regions.

Method 2: Check the Bottom of a Paper Check

If you have a paper check, your routing number is the first set of nine digits in the MICR line at the very bottom. The MICR line reads left to right: routing number first, account number in the middle, check number at the right.

The routing number is always surrounded by a special symbol that looks like a colon or pipe character — this is the transit symbol printed in magnetic ink. The nine digits between those symbols are your routing number. Note that the routing number on a check is always the ACH/paper routing number, which may differ from your bank's wire transfer routing number.

Method 3: Your Bank's Mobile App

Almost every major bank and credit union now shows your routing number in the mobile app. Log in, navigate to your checking or savings account, and look for "Account Details," "Account Information," or a similar section. The routing number is usually listed alongside your account number.

Some banks separate their ACH and wire routing numbers in the app — look carefully and make sure you copy the right one for your intended use case. This method is also useful because the app will show the routing number specific to your account, not a general number that might not apply to your state.

Method 4: Your Bank's Website

Most banks publish their routing numbers on their public website, usually on a page titled "Routing Number," "Direct Deposit," or "Bank Account Information." Log in to online banking and check the account details section, or search the bank's help center for "routing number."

For banks with multiple routing numbers by state, the website FAQ often includes a table listing each state's number. Alternatively, search our bank directory — we list routing numbers for thousands of US financial institutions.

Method 5: Call Your Bank

If none of the above methods work, call your bank's customer service line. Have your account number ready for identity verification. The representative can give you the correct routing number for your specific account and confirm whether it's the right one for your intended transaction type (ACH, wire, check).

This is the most reliable method if your bank has recently merged with another institution, because routing number changes after mergers can take time to propagate through online directories and apps.

Pro Tips for Finding the Right Routing Number

• State matters: If your bank has multiple routing numbers, use the one assigned to the state where you opened your account — even if you've since moved.
• ACH vs wire: Direct deposit uses the ACH routing number; wire transfers may use a separate wire routing number.
• After a merger: If your bank was recently acquired, confirm the new routing number — it may have changed.
• Double-check digit count: Routing numbers are always exactly nine digits. If yours appears to be fewer, it may have a leading zero that was accidentally dropped.

You can browse routing numbers by state or search our lookup tool to verify any number before submitting a payment. Our guides cover additional scenarios where routing number selection matters.