Routing Transit Number: What It Is, How It Works, Where To Find (2024)

What Is a Routing Transit Number?

A routing transit number (RTN) is a nine-digit number used to identify a bank or financial institution when clearing funds for electronic transfers or processing checks in the U.S. A routing transit number is also used in online banking and by clearinghouses for financial transactions.

Only federally chartered and state-chartered banks that are eligible to maintain an account at a Federal Reserve Bank are issued routing transit numbers.

Key Takeaways

  • A routing transit number, sometimes referred to as an RTN, is a nine-digit number used to identify a bank or financial institution when clearing funds or processing checks.
  • The American Bankers Association (ABA) established routing transit numbers in 1910. Routing numbers are sometimes referred to as "ABA numbers."
  • These numbers are also used in online banking and by clearinghouses for financial transactions.
  • Routing transit numbers are often used when setting up a wire transfer or direct deposit.
  • SWIFT or IBAN numbers are used for international transactions, but routing numbers are often required for domestic U.S. money transfers.

How Routing Transit Numbers Work

A bank’s routing transit number is located at the bottom of a check and is the first nine digits on the far left. The first four digits designate the Federal Reserve Bank of the district where the institution is located. The next four digits denote the bank itself, while the last digit is a classifier for the check or negotiable instrument.

The numbers following the routing transit number on a check are the account number and check number for the bank from which the funds are to be drawn. All checks written on state or federally chartered banks will have routing transit numbers on the bottom.

Paper checks also have a routing symbol, which performs much the same function as the routing numbers on the bottom of the check. The routing symbol is located at the top of the check and is also called the fractional bank number.

How Routing Transit Numbers Are Used

Routing transit numbers are often used when setting up a wire transfer relationship with one’s personal or business bank. A wire transfer is an electronic funds payment across a network administered by hundreds of banks worldwide.

9 Digits

Routing numbers are nine digits long, while bank account numbers often vary in length. In addition, your routing number will always begin with a 0, 1, 2, or 3.

While no physical currency moves among financial institutions during a wire transfer, information does pass between banks, including the recipient's account information, the receiver's bank account number, and the amount of the transfer. As a result, a correct routing transit number is critical to ensure sensitive information is directed to the appropriate receiving party and that the transaction goes through smoothly.

Routing transit numbers are also involved in direct deposits of money from employers paying employees and income tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), for example. A direct deposit allows a sender to deposit funds directly into the receiver’s bank account electronically instead of issuing a paper check.

Routing Number vs. Other Banking Numbers

There are a few terms that are synonymous with "routing transit number," including "routing number,""transit number" and "ABA number." ABA is an acronym for the American Bankers Association, which established these numbers in 1910.

The terms "routing," "transit," and "ABA" are often used interchangeably. Routing numbers were originally established for checking accounts but have since evolved to include identifying banks during electronic transactions as well.

What's a SWIFT Code?

A SWIFT code is a similar identification code used for facilitating banking transactions, although SWIFT codes are mainly used for international transfers.

Alternatively, an international bank account number (IBAN) is a lengthy alphanumeric code that identifies the country, check number, bank code, bank branch code, and bank account number of a transaction. It is also mainly used for international transactions.

Special Considerations

Before the invention of the internet and the widespread use of computers, check fraud was a major issue. Fraudsters could falsify a routing number on a check and attempt to cash the check at a local bank. Without the banks being on an interconnected computer system, it was difficult to verify checking account routing numbers, leading to instances of fraud and theft.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions is the official registrar of routing numbers, and newly organized financial institutions must apply to have a routing number assigned to them. A single financial institution may have multiple routing numbers for different payment methods. For example, a bank may have a routing number specific for ACH transfers, paper transactions, or wire transfers.

What Is a Routing Number?

A routing number is a series of nine digits used to identify a financial institution. Banks use routing numbers to process transactions, as the routing number tells all parties involved which institutions are involved and which parties are receiving or distributing funds.

Where Can I Find My Bank's Routing Number?

Your bank's routing number can be found on the bottom of a paper check. Alternatively, you can often find the routing number when you log into an online banking portal. The routing number is often reported in the same location as your account number.

Which Numbers on a Check Are Routing Numbers?

When looking at a check, the furthest-left numbers at the bottom are your bank's routing number. The left-most nine digits are the routing number, while the right-most numbers are your account number and check number. The check number at the bottom of a check will correspond to the check number in the upper right corner.

How Are Routing Numbers Used?

Routing numbers are used by financial institutions to communicate between banks. It is the number that identifies the institution you use so that the transacting parties know where you account is located.

The Bottom Line

A routing transit number, sometimes called an RTN, is a nine-digit number used to identify a bank or financial institution when clearing funds or processing checks. They were established by the American Bankers Association (ABA) in 1910. Routing numbers are also sometimes referred to as "ABA numbers." These numbers often are used when setting up a wire transfer or direct deposit.

It's important to know how to find yours: at the bottom of a paper check—the first nine digits on the far left. The first four digits designate the Federal Reserve Bank where the institution is located. The next four digits denote the bank itself, and the last digit is a classifier for the check. In online banking, you can often find the routing number when you log in to a banking portal. It likely is reported in the same location as your account number.

Routing Transit Number: What It Is, How It Works, Where To Find (2024)

FAQs

Routing Transit Number: What It Is, How It Works, Where To Find? ›

Your bank's routing number can be found on the bottom of a paper check. Alternatively, you can often find the routing number when you log into an online banking portal. The routing number is often reported in the same location as your account number.

How do I find my routing transit number? ›

If you look along the bottom of your checks, you'll usually see three different numbers aligned in a row. From left to right, the first is the routing number for your bank. The second is your unique checking account number. The last is the number for the specific check you're holding.

Is there a difference between routing number and routing transit number? ›

Is a routing number the same as the transit number? No, a routing number is a combination of your five-digit bank transit number and three-digit institution number. A bank transit number does not include the routing number, but a bank routing number does include the transit number.

How to find a bank transit number? ›

Where is the transit number on a cheque? Your bank transit number and institution number can be found at the bottom of a cheque. The transit number (five digits) identifies which branch you opened your account at. The three-digit institution number identifies your bank.

Which routing number do I use for direct deposit? ›

On your checks, you'll see both your account number AND a routing number. The routing # is typically the one on the left lower portion of your check, and the account # is the one on the right. Use the numbers that are on your checks.

What is a routing transit number check digit? ›

Today's bank routing numbers are formatted as a nine-digit code, with the first four digits representing the Federal Reserve routing symbol, followed by four digits that identify the specific financial institution, and the last digit, known as the check digit, which is used to verify the authenticity of the routing ...

How many digits is a routing transit number? ›

A routing number is a unique, nine-digit number that functions as an address for your bank.

What is the Routing Transit Number on a debit card? ›

A routing number is a nine-digit code identifying a financial institution such as a bank or credit union. You may also see it referred to as a routing transit number (RTN) or an ABA (American Bankers Association) routing number.

What is transit routing? ›

Transit routing is simply routing traffic to either a virtual cloud network (VCN) or an on-premises network through a central hub VCN. Here's a basic example of why you might use transit routing: you have a large organization with different departments, each with their own VCN.

Is Routing Transit Number wire or electronic? ›

ABA routing numbers work by routing funds from one bank account to another through the ABA network. This system is used for traditional check processing, wire transfers, and other transactions. Unlike ACH routing numbers, ABA routing numbers are used for both electronic and paper transactions.

How do I find my bank transit number without a check? ›

How to find a routing number without a check
  1. Go online: Your bank may post its routing number online via its website or mobile banking app. ...
  2. Bank statement: You might find the routing number on your monthly paper or electronic bank statement, although not all banks include it.
Apr 29, 2024

How do I find my US bank transit number? ›

The fastest way to find your routing number is to look at the bottom of one of your personal checks.

How do I find my bank transit number Wells Fargo? ›

Look at a check

Your account number is located along the bottom of your check, to the right of the routing number and to the left of the check number.

Which routing number do I use for automatic payments? ›

And while they do have similarities — and an ACH routing number is an ABA routing number — there are differences between ACH and ABA routing numbers: ABA routing numbers are used for paper or check transfers. ACH routing numbers are used for electronic transfers.

What happens if you put the wrong routing number for direct deposit? ›

If you attempt a transaction with the wrong routing number, it will usually fail to process. However, in a worst-case scenario, money could be deposited into the wrong account. If you accidentally give someone the wrong routing number, get in touch as soon as possible to correct the error.

Which routing number do I use to receive ACH payments? ›

You can find your ACH routing number by: Searching online for “ACH routing number” and your bank's name. Logging in to your online banking platform. Looking in your checkbook (it's typically located next to your account number)

Where is the routing transit number on a debit card? ›

Debit cards and credit cards don't use routing numbers. The financial institution links the ATM debit card to your bank account through its banking system.

What is the bank routing symbol and transit number? ›

A bank code, also called the Bank Routing Symbol Transit Number (BRSTN), is a nine-digit code assigned to a bank used for identifying its name, city, and country in financial transactions.

How to find your routing number without a check on Chase? ›

Find your routing and account number by signing in to chase.com and choosing the last four digits of the account number that appears above your account information. You can then choose, 'See full account number' next to your account name and a box will open to display your bank account number and routing number.

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