Routing Numbers for Savings Accounts vs Checking Accounts

Most people with both a savings and a checking account at the same bank assume they have different routing numbers for each account. In almost all cases, they don't — savings and checking accounts at the same bank typically share the same routing number. But there are important functional differences that affect how you can use each account type for electronic payments.

Same Routing Number, Different Account Numbers

At the vast majority of US banks and credit unions, all accounts — checking, savings, money market — share a single routing number (or the same state-specific routing number for large banks). The routing number identifies the institution; the account number identifies your specific account. You can verify your bank's routing number with our lookup tool and see that it's the same regardless of account type.

When filling out a direct deposit form or ACH authorization, you specify both the routing number (same for all accounts) and the account number (different for each account). The account type (checking vs savings) is also requested because some payment processors handle each type differently.

ACH Transaction Limits for Savings Accounts

Here's where the difference matters: savings accounts at many banks are still subject to Regulation D-inspired limits on certain types of withdrawals, even though the Federal Reserve removed the six-transfer limit in 2020. Many banks have voluntarily continued to enforce similar limits as a product policy choice, particularly for automated ACH debits and transfers out of savings accounts.

If you set up a recurring bill payment or ACH debit from a savings account, you may hit the monthly limit and have the transfer rejected. For recurring automated payments, checking accounts are generally a safer choice.

Direct Deposit to Savings

Direct deposit to a savings account is technically possible and works with the same routing number and the savings account number. However, some employers' payroll systems don't support direct deposit to savings accounts — they may only allow checking. Confirm with your payroll department before listing a savings account on your direct deposit form.

Some banks also offer split direct deposit — depositing part of your paycheck to checking and part to savings simultaneously. Both use the same routing number but different account numbers. This is a convenient way to automate saving without a separate transfer.

When Routing Numbers Can Differ: Credit Union Share Drafts

At some credit unions, the "checking" equivalent is called a share draft account. Some older credit union systems use different account number prefixes for share drafts versus regular shares (savings). The routing number is still the same, but you should specify the correct account type and account number when setting up ACH.

Finding Your Routing Number for Either Account Type

Use our routing number lookup tool to find your bank's routing number — it applies to both your checking and savings accounts. If you're unsure whether the routing number is the same for both, log into your bank's mobile app and check the account details for each account. You'll see the same routing number, different account numbers.

Browse routing numbers by state or search our bank directory for more. Our guides section covers additional ACH and routing number topics.