Bank routing number lookup. Definition, Where and How to find yours

Personal Finance

31 January 2023

DNBC Team

This article is a part of DNBCGroup Blog Center

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In the United States, banks, credit unions, and payment processors, including clearinghouses, require users to use a bank routing number and an account number to execute numerous sorts of financial transactions other than paper checks. If you do not know what is the bank routing number? Don’t worry, DBNC Financial Group will clarify the routing number and its use, whether it is necessary and how to determine your bank's routing number.

Bank routing number lookup. Definition, Where and How to find yours

Bank routing number lookup. Definition, Where and How to find yours

What does a bank routing number mean?

Financial institutions use nine-digit routing numbers to identify other financial organizations. For example, a routing transit number (RTN) and an ABA routing number (American Bankers Association) are different names. Institutions can discover your specific account using this information along with your account number.

To speed up and improve the efficiency of transactions, the banking industry introduced the numbers in 1910. The possibility of miscommunication is decreased because each bank has a unique number allocated to it. Thus, with unique bank routing numbers, two banks are still easily distinguished from one another even if they have identical names.

Understandably, you can consider it a numerical address that a bank may use to transmit and receive money from other financial organizations. The routing number identifies the financial institution in charge of the payment and guarantees that the money is delivered to the correct location. Currently, routing numbers are utilized in various financial activities including direct deposits, wire transfers and payments using banking applications.

When will you require your routing number?

Your routing number will be required in various scenarios, including setting up direct deposit, automated loan payments, and recurring transfers such as bill payments.

You'll also need it when you file your taxes to collect your tax refund, debt a tax payment, or when making Automated Clearing House, or ACH, transactions between bank accounts. You will only need your routing number when transferring cash to or from your bank account – never for debit or credit card purchases.

How to find routing number on a check

Your routing number may be found in the lower-left corner of your checks. It's the first nine digits in a lengthy string of numbers. That string of numbers, known as the magnetic ink character recognition line, contains your routing number, account number, and check number in that sequence.

If you don't have a check, your routing number can be found in other ways:

  • Online banking
  • Your bank account statement
  • Phone customer service at your bank

Remember that route numbers might alter from time to time. For example, financial organizations might liquidate branches, rearrange their operations, or modify the purpose of a routing number, which can all impact the number associated with your account. Therefore, confirm your routing number with your bank before using it to avoid giving out the wrong number.

Every bank has at least one routing number, and bigger banks may have many. When you create an account with a bank with numerous routing numbers, they might vary based on where you started your budget and the transaction you're running.

Suppose you live in Texas, for example. In that case, your routing number for setting up direct deposit may differ from your friend's in California and your mother's when she accepts an incoming wire transfer — even if you all use the same bank.

Routing numbers for the bank of the U.S.

Verify that the routing number for your state shown below is the same as what appears on your checks or your online account when you are logged in.

The following Bank of America routing numbers are only used for electronic payments from checking accounts. Certain states or areas use different routing numbers for checks and electronic payments. In addition, wire transfers typically have their routing numbers as well.

StateRouting number
Alabama051000017
Alaska051000017
Arizona122101706
Arkansas082000073
California121000358
Colorado123103716
Connecticut011900254
Delaware031202084
Washington, D.C.054001204
Florida063100277
Georgia061000052
Hawaii051000017
Idaho123103716
Illinois (South and Chicago Metro)081904808
Illinois (North)071000505
Indiana071214579
Iowa073000176
Kansas101100045
Kentucky064000020
Louisiana051000017
Maine011200365
Maryland052001633
Massachusetts011000138
Michigan072000805
Minnesota071214579
Mississippi051000017
Missouri081000032
Montana051000017
Nebraska051000017
Nevada122400724
New Hampshire011400495
New Jersey021200339
New Mexico107000327
New York021000322
North Carolina053000196
North Dakota051000017
Ohio071214579
Oklahoma103000017
Oregon323070380
Pennsylvania031202084
Rhode Island011500010
South Carolina053904483
South Dakota051000017
Tennessee064000020
Texas111000025
Utah123103716
Vermont051000017
Virginia051000017
Washington125000024
West Virginia051000017
Wisconsin051000017
Wyoming051000017

Routing numbers for Wells Fargo

Verify that the routing number for your state shown below is the same as what appears on your checks or your online account when you are logged in.

Please note that these Wells Fargo routing numbers are for checking accounts only, not for wire trades. There are two for California; however, the one on the following list is effective throughout the state.

StateRouting number
Alabama062000080
Alaska125200057
Arizona122105278
Arkansas111900659
California121042882
Colorado102000076
Connecticut021101108
Delaware031100869
Washington, D.C.054001220
Florida063107513
Georgia061000227
Hawaii121042882
Idaho124103799
Illinois071101307
Indiana074900275
Iowa073000228
Kansas101089292
Kentucky121042882
Louisiana121042882
Maine121042882
Maryland055003201
Massachusetts121042882
Michigan091101455
Minnesota091000019
Mississippi062203751
Missouri113105449
Montana092905278
Nebraska104000058
Nevada321270742
New Hampshire121042882
New Jersey021200025
New Mexico107002192
New York026012881
North Carolina053000219
North Dakota091300010
Ohio041215537
Oklahoma121042882
Oregon123006800
Pennsylvania031000503
Rhode Island121042882
South Carolina053207766
South Dakota091400046
Tennessee064003768
Texas111900659
Texas (El Paso)112000066
Utah124002971
Vermont121042882
Virginia051400549
Washington125008547
West Virginia121042882
Wisconsin075911988
Wyoming102301092

Make sure you keep your bank routing number to yourself. In addition, it's a good idea to contact your bank if you notice any fraudulent transactions on your account.

About DNBC Financial Group

The DNBC Financial Group is a financial organization that operates in the global financial market. It offers corporate and individual customers an intelligent digital payment system, a practical payment platform, and an easily accessible online money transfer/receipt service globally. DNBC facilitates SWIFT and SEPA payments to 170 countries and territories worldwide, offering our clients various transfer options at the lowest possible rate and with the shortest wait time.

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Note: The content in this article is for general informative purposes only. You should conduct your own research or ask for specialist advice before making any financial decisions. All information in this article is current as of the date of publication, and DNBC Financial Group reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any information. We don’t provide any express or implied representations, warranties, or guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the content within this publication.