How to Read a Check for Account Information

What You’ll Need

A physical check, or a clear image of its front.
Good lighting and, if needed, a magnifier to distinguish small or similar-looking digits.
A secure place to record the information if you need it. Avoid saving a check image in a shared or public location.

This guide explains how to locate and distinguish the common numbers on a U.S. personal check. Checks from other countries, business checks, and some bank designs can use different layouts, so confirm details with the issuing bank when anything is unclear.

Step-by-Step

Use the front of the check. Lay it flat and look across the bottom edge. The long row of numbers and symbols printed there is the bank’s machine-readable line, often called the MICR line. It contains the routing number, account number, and usually a check number. Do not use a number from the back, a deposit slip, or a check image unless you have confirmed it is the correct check.
Find the routing number. On most U.S. checks, the routing number is the first nine-digit number at the lower left. It identifies the bank or credit union and is used to route payments. It is not unique to your individual account, so it cannot substitute for the account number. Some checks include symbols around the number; focus on the digits.
Locate the account number. The account number is generally the next long group of digits to the right of the routing number. Its length and exact position vary by financial institution, and it may not be visually separated in the same way on every check. Compare the number line with a check-specific diagram or account information supplied by your bank if the boundaries are uncertain.
Identify the check number. A shorter number is printed at the upper right of the check, and it commonly appears again in the bottom number line. This is the check number, which helps identify an individual check; it is not your account number. The sequence and placement can vary, so do not identify a number by position alone if the layout is unusual.
Read from left to right without guessing. Check that you have copied all digits and kept any leading zeros. Do not include printed symbols or spaces unless a form specifically requests them. If two groups run together or a digit is hard to read, use better lighting or magnification rather than assuming where one number ends.
Confirm the information through a trusted source. If the numbers will be used to set up a deposit or payment, compare them with the bank’s official app, online banking, or a statement reached through a known, secure route. You can also contact the bank using the number on its official website or your card. Avoid sending a check photo or full account details through an unsolicited email, text, or call.
Share only what is required. A check displays sensitive information, including your name, address, bank details, and signature. Provide the numbers only to a recipient and service you trust, and use a secure method. If you are sharing a copy for a purpose that does not require account information, ask whether the sensitive details can be concealed; never alter a check that you intend to deposit or cash.

Common Mistakes

Mixing up the account and routing numbers: The routing number identifies the institution, while the account number identifies the account. They serve different purposes.
Using the check number: Its presence in more than one place can make it seem like an account identifier. It refers to the individual check, not your bank account.
Dropping leading zeros: A zero at the start may be part of the number. Copy every digit exactly; do not shorten a number because it looks unusual.
Assuming every check is arranged alike: Financial institutions can place or format number groups differently. Verify the layout instead of relying only on “first, second, third.”
Confusing printed information with account details: The check amount, date, and check number are not the bank account number. Names and addresses do not identify the account either.
Sharing a full image casually: A check photo can expose more than the numbers needed for a form. Treat both paper checks and digital images as sensitive.

Tips

Use a magnifier or zoom in on a securely stored image when digits are small, but do not upload a check to an unfamiliar website just to enlarge it.
When entering details into a bank or payment form, follow that service’s instructions about which number goes in each field. The form may ask separately for routing and account numbers.
Some forms distinguish checking from savings accounts, or ask whether the account is used for electronic payments or checks. The check alone may not answer those questions; check your bank’s account details.
Keep an accurate record only in a protected location, and securely dispose of voided checks or copies you no longer need. A “void” mark can prevent normal use of the paper check, but it does not erase the printed account information.
For a check from a different country, do not assume the U.S. nine-digit routing-number format applies. Ask the issuing financial institution what identifiers are required.

Troubleshooting

The digits are blurry or damaged: Try a flat, well-lit view and magnification. If a character remains unclear, do not guess; ask the bank to verify the numbers or use an official account-information source.

You cannot tell where the account number starts: Check whether your bank provides a sample check layout or secure account details in its official app or website. Contact the bank through a verified channel if the layout still does not make sense.

The number is rejected by a form: Check for a transposed digit, a missing leading zero, or a routing number entered in the account-number field. Confirm that you selected the right account type and that the form accepts the kind of account you have. Do not repeatedly submit numbers you have not verified.

Your check differs from the usual layout: Business, credit-union, and specialty checks may arrange or label information differently. The issuing institution can identify each number for that specific check.

You sent check details to someone you do not trust: Contact your bank promptly using a verified phone number or secure account channel, explain what information was exposed, and follow its instructions for protecting the account. Do not rely on changing or destroying the paper check alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many digits are in a U.S. routing number?

A U.S. routing number has nine digits. Verify it with your bank if the check is damaged, foreign, or formatted in an unfamiliar way.

Is the routing number the same as the account number?

No. The routing number identifies the financial institution; the account number identifies your account at that institution.

Where is the account number on a check?

It is usually in the number line along the bottom, after the routing number. Exact placement and length vary, so confirm with the bank if the groups are not clear.

Is it safe to give someone my check number?

A check number alone is not the same as your account number, but a full check image includes sensitive details. Share a check or its information only when necessary and with a trusted recipient.

Can I find my account number without a check?

Often, you can find it in your bank’s official app, online banking, or account statement. Use a secure route and contact the bank if you are unsure which number is the account number.

Further reading: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.