Bank Routing Number: What It Is and How to Find It

Whether you’re setting up a direct deposit, making electronic payments, or sending a wire transfer, you’ll likely be asked for a bank routing number at some point. But what is a bank routing number exactly, and how do you find it? 

This guide covers everything you need to know — from the anatomy of the nine-digit code to locating the numbers on a check or within your online banking portal — plus how to find your bank account number at the same time. 

What is a bank routing number?

Also known as an ABA routing number — short for American Bankers Association routing number — a bank routing number is a unique nine-digit code assigned to financial institutions in the US. It identifies a US financial institution and is used to direct ACH payments, Fedwire transfers, and check processing to the correct bank. Routing numbers are issued to federal or state-chartered financial institutions that are eligible to maintain an account at a Federal Reserve Bank. They show banking systems that the account is legitimate. The routing number also ensures that you are transferring funds to the correct institution and account. It is essential for different transactions, including direct deposits, wire transfers, electronic payments, and automatic bill payments.  

If you use Payoneer’s USD receiving account, you will also have a routing number that US-based clients can use to send payments directly to your account. 

The anatomy of a bank routing number: What each digit code means

Routing numbers are prevalent in the US, but what do the different digits mean? Here is a breakdown of this nine-digit code:  

Digits 1–4: Identification code 

The first four numbers of a routing number are the identification code. They identify the Federal Reserve Bank responsible for the institution.  

These digits indicate the bank’s geographic location: 

• The first two digits represent the Federal Reserve Bank’s district 
• The second two represent the Federal Reserve Bank’s processing center  

Digit 5: Check digit 

The fifth digit of a routing number is the check digit, which verifies the authenticity of the routing number. It is calculated based on a formula that uses the first eight digits of the routing number. The check digit prevents errors when processing checks and electronic transactions.  

Digits 6–9: Identifying the financial institution 

The last four digits identify the specific financial institution. These digits are unique to each institution. They indicate the bank’s location, type of institution, and the individual account associated with the routing number.  

When you’ll need your bank routing number

You’ll need to provide a routing number to complete a transaction in many instances. Here are a few examples: 

• Setting up your direct deposit payments from clients 
• Receiving incoming wire transfers or payments from international clients or partners 
• Initiating funds transfers between accounts with different banks or financial institutions 
• Making electronic bank statement requests 
• Setting up automatic online bill payments 
• Processing digital checks and personal checks 
• Completing bank transactions virtually or telephonically 
• Reordering checks  
• Linking your Payoneer account to a third-party accounting or budgeting app (you’ll provide your routing number alongside your account information to connect) 

Types of bank routing numbers

ABA routing numbers (RTN) 

The American Bankers Association assigns routing transit numbers (RTNs) to identify a financial institution. These nine-digit numbers are vital for transactions including direct deposits, wire transfers, and bill payments. They are also known as ABA routing numbers.  

Transit numbers 

In Canada, transit numbers serve a similar purpose to ABA routing numbers in the US. A Canadian transit number is a five-digit code that identifies the specific bank branch where a bank account is held, used alongside the financial institution’s three-digit institution number to route domestic payments accurately. If you’re asking what is a transit number bank refers to, it is simply the identifier for a particular bank branch within Canada’s banking system. 

International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs) 

Financial institutions outside the United States use International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs). IBANs consist of up to 34 alphanumeric characters that identify the bank and the specific account associated with a transaction.  

Update on the Electronic Transfer Account (ETA) program 

The US Electronic Transfer Account (ETA) program, which previously offered a distinct routing code for federal benefit recipients, has been discontinued. Recipients now typically receive payments via standard ACH direct deposit into a checking account at an eligible bank or credit union. 

How to find your bank routing number?

Routing number on a check or deposit slip 

One of the most reliable ways to find your bank routing number is to look at the numbers on a check. To locate the check routing number, look at the bottom-left corner of your personal checks or deposit slip. The ABA routing number is usually printed at the bottom of the check as part of the MICR line.  

The routing number on a check is always the first nine-digit group — before your account number and the check number — reading left to right.  

If you need your bank account number too, look at the same MICR line. The bank account number is the second group of digits, printed after the routing number. It is typically between 8 and 12 digits long, depending on your bank or credit union. Together, these numbers on a check give you all the account information needed to set up direct deposits or receive electronic payments. 

Online banking 

You can find your bank’s routing number by logging into your account and opening the account summary section. This method is convenient and saves you time. You can also easily copy the number when you need to enter it digitally to complete a transaction.  

Mobile app 

You can also find your routing number through your mobile app. Go to the account information section of the app. You’ll see your routing number and other account details.  

How to find your Payoneer routing number 

Payoneer also uses routing numbers to complete financial transactions through American institutions. The routing number is composed of three parts: 

• The first four digits represent the location of the Federal Reserve Bank, which serves as Payoneer’s primary processing center 
• The fifth digit uses a specific algorithm to ensure the accuracy of the routing number 
• The final four digits are specific to Payoneer as the financial institution associated with the routing number.  

To find your Payoneer routing number, log in to your account and go to the “Receive” tab. Your routing number and virtual account details are in the “Global Payment Service” section.  

Ways to use bank routing numbers 

Bank routing numbers make it easy to conduct wire transfers, direct deposits, and transfers between accounts. Here are three key ways they are used:  

Wire transfers 

Wire transfers are a secure and fast way to transfer funds from one bank account to another. You can use your bank routing number to wire money from your Payoneer account to another account — within the same country or across borders. Wire transfers are also the best way to receive international payments from B2B businesses and partners. 

Direct deposits 

Direct deposits are a convenient way to receive payments directly into your bank account. You only need to provide your routing number to the payer, and they’ll transfer funds directly into your account.  

Transfers between accounts 

You can use your bank routing number to transfer funds between your accounts — a convenient way to manage your finances, especially if you hold multiple accounts with different financial institutions. You can also withdraw funds from your Payoneer account into your bank account when you have a routing number.  

Bank routing numbers: A key part of everyday transactions 

As online banking and electronic payments continue to grow, knowing how to find and use your bank routing number helps ensure every transaction is processed accurately and on time. Whether you’re managing direct deposits, bill payments, or wire transfers in 2026, your routing number is an essential piece of account information — and now you know exactly where to find it.