A routing number (formally ABA routing transit number) is the nine-digit code that identifies a U.S. bank or credit union in electronic transactions. It directs [[ach]] payments, wire transfers, and check processing to the correct financial institution.
Routing numbers were established by the American Bankers Association (ABA) in 1910 to sort and route paper checks. Today they serve the same function for all electronic payments. The nine-digit format encodes a Federal Reserve processing center identifier (digits 1–4), an ABA institution identifier (digits 5–8), and a check digit (digit 9) for validation. Large banks may have multiple routing numbers for different regions or transaction types. Wells Fargo, for example, has separate routing numbers for each state. The number on the bottom left of a check is the routing number; the account number follows it. For ACH transactions — direct deposit of payroll, bill payments, peer-to-peer transfers — both the routing number and [[account-number]] (your specific account identifier) are required. The Federal Reserve processes ACH transactions through its FedACH service; The Clearing House (TCH) operates the private-sector RTP (real-time payments) network alongside it. Providing incorrect routing information delays transactions and can result in returned payments.
Bottom left of a personal check, in your bank's mobile app under account details, or on your bank's website. You can also look it up by bank name on the ABA's public routing number database at routingnumbers.aba.com.
No. The routing number identifies the bank; the account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both are needed for ACH and wire transfers.