A bank routing number is a unique nine‑digit code that identifies a specific bank or credit union in the United States, like an address for the institution in the payment system.

Quick Scoop

  • A routing number (also called an ABA or routing transit number) is used to tell payment systems which bank should receive or send money during a transaction.
  • It is always 9 digits long in the U.S. and is assigned to eligible financial institutions by the American Bankers Association and the Federal Reserve.
  • You typically need it for things like:
    • Setting up direct deposit for your paycheck or government benefits.
* Making ACH transfers (like online bill pay or moving money between banks).

* Sending or receiving domestic wire transfers.

Where you find it

  • On a paper check: the routing number is the 9‑digit number on the bottom left.
  • In online or mobile banking: most banks list it in account details in their app or website.
  • From the bank itself: you can confirm it via customer service or the bank’s official website.

Routing number vs. account number

  • The routing number identifies the bank ; the account number identifies your specific account at that bank.
  • Everyone using the same branch/region of a bank can share one routing number, but each customer has a different account number.

Simple safety tip

A routing number by itself is generally treated as public information, but combining it with your account number can allow money to be pulled from your account, so share both together only on secure, trusted forms and with legitimate organizations.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.