Routing Number

What a routing number is

A routing number, also called an ABA number or Routing Transit Number (RTN), is a nine-digit code that identifies a U.S. bank or credit union. Banks and payment networks use it to direct check and electronic-payment instructions to the right financial institution. The American Bankers Association established the system in 1910 to help process checks.

The routing number identifies the bank, not your business’s account. Your account number identifies the specific account receiving or sending the money. A payment instruction that needs both numbers can fail if either one is incorrect.

A routing number identifies the bank; the account number identifies where the money goes.

How routing numbers are used

You provide a routing number when setting up an ACH debit or credit, such as a customer’s bank payment, payroll deposit, or vendor payment. It is also used to process paper checks and domestic bank transfers. A routing number is for bank-to-bank payments, not an ordinary credit- or debit-card purchase.

The number your bank uses depends on the payment. A financial institution can have different routing numbers for ACH, checks, and wire transfers, and larger banks can use numbers that vary by location. Do not assume the number printed on a check is the one to use for a wire.

What it means for your business

A routing number has no direct card-processing fee and does not change your interchange or processor markup. Its business impact is operational: entering the wrong number can cause an electronic transfer to be rejected or delayed, disrupting payroll, vendor payments, or the timing of money arriving in your account.

When you collect bank details for an ACH payment, the routing number alone is not enough. You also need the account number and the correct authorization for the debit. Keep the payment details connected to the intended customer or vendor so an otherwise valid routing number is not paired with the wrong account.

Where to find and verify it

On a paper check, the routing number is the first nine digits in the bank-information line along the bottom. The account number and check number follow it. You can also find your business’s routing information in your bank’s online account, mobile app, or bank statement.

Before setting up a payment, use a bank-controlled source and match the routing number to the payment type. Confirm whether the form asks for ACH, check, or wire details. This simple check helps prevent a transfer from being returned or held up because the bank could not route it correctly.

What you can actually change

1. 01
   Match the payment type. Use the routing number your bank provides for ACH, checks, or wires. A single business account can have different numbers for different payment rails.
2. 02
   Verify before submitting. Compare the number with your bank’s online account, statement, or check. Confirm all nine digits before sending payroll, vendor payments, or an ACH debit.
3. 03
   Keep account details paired. Store each routing number with the correct account number and customer or vendor record. A correct bank identifier cannot prevent a payment error if it is linked to the wrong account.

Frequently asked questions