ABA Routing Number Checker
Validate any US bank routing number instantly. ABA checksum verification, bank lookup, and ACH vs Fedwire eligibility. Free, no signup.
9-digit US ABA routing number, printed first at the bottom of your check
Search covers top 200 US banks and credit unions
Sending money internationally from the US? Your routing number will not work abroad. Use SWIFT instead:
Where to Find Your Routing Number on a Check
The routing number is the first 9 digits at the bottom left of a personal check, printed in MICR format.
What Is an ABA Routing Number?
An ABA routing number is a 9-digit code assigned by the American Bankers Association that identifies a specific US financial institution. It tells the US banking system exactly where a payment should go. Every bank account in the United States has at least one, and it is required for direct deposit, ACH transfers, wire transfers, and paper checks.
The structure of the 9 digits is not arbitrary. The first four digits are the Federal Reserve routing symbol, which encodes which of the 12 Federal Reserve districts the bank operates in and whether it is a commercial bank, savings institution, or credit union. Digits 5 through 8 are the specific institution identifier. The 9th digit is a check digit calculated using the ABA weighted checksum formula, which is what this tool runs when you enter a routing number.
The checksum formula is: multiply the 1st, 4th, and 7th digits by 3; multiply the 2nd, 5th, and 8th digits by 7; multiply the 3rd, 6th, and 9th digits by 1; add everything up. If the total is divisible by 10, the routing number is structurally valid. This catches most typos before they reach the banking system.
ACH vs Fedwire vs Paper Check: Why Banks Have Multiple Routing Numbers
Not all routing numbers do the same job. There are three main payment systems in the US, and some large banks assign different routing numbers to each one.
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the network used for direct deposit, bill pay, and most bank-to-bank transfers. ACH transfers typically take 1-3 business days and are processed in batches. When your employer sets up direct deposit, they use your ACH routing number. Most everyday transfers use ACH.
Fedwire is the Federal Reserve real-time gross settlement system for high-value, time-sensitive wire transfers. Fedwire transfers are final and irrevocable within minutes. They have higher fees and are used for large business transactions, real estate purchases, and international correspondent banking. Some banks list a separate wire routing number distinct from their ACH routing number.
Paper checks use the same 9-digit routing number printed at the bottom of your check. For most banks, the same routing number works for all three systems. For Chase, Bank of America, and a few other large banks, always confirm which routing number to use with your bank when setting up a wire transfer.
Routing Number vs SWIFT Code: Which One Do You Need?
Routing numbers are for domestic US transfers only. If someone outside the United States is sending you money, or if you are sending money abroad, routing numbers do not apply. The international equivalent is the SWIFT code (also called a BIC), and US banks have both.
To receive an international wire into your US account, give the sender your bank SWIFT code and your account number. Do not give them your routing number; it will not route internationally. The SWIFT code for Chase is CHASUS33, for Bank of America it is BOFAUS3N, and for Wells Fargo it is WFBIUS6S.
If you are sending money from the US to someone abroad, your routing number identifies your outgoing bank to the US side of the transaction, but the foreign bank still needs its SWIFT code. Services like Wise and Remitly handle this conversion automatically, which is why they can typically do it cheaper and faster than going bank-to-bank.
For international transfers: routing numbers only work within the US. Use our IBAN Validator for European accounts, or Canada Transit Number Lookup for Canadian accounts.
Routing number data sourced from the Federal Reserve E-Payments Routing Directory. Data last updated: January 2025. Always confirm routing details with your bank before large transfers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
An ABA routing number is a 9-digit code that identifies a specific US financial institution and the Federal Reserve district it belongs to. It routes domestic payments including direct deposits, ACH transfers, wire transfers, and paper checks.
Your routing number is the first 9 digits at the bottom left of a personal check, printed in MICR format. It is also shown in your bank mobile app under account details, on your bank statement, and on your bank website.
Not always. Most banks use the same routing number for both ACH and wire transfers. But some large banks, including JPMorgan Chase, maintain separate routing numbers for Fedwire versus ACH.
The first 4 digits are the Federal Reserve routing symbol identifying the Fed district and bank type. Digits 5-8 are the ABA institution identifier. The 9th digit is a check digit calculated using the 3-7-1 weighted sum algorithm.
No. Routing numbers work for domestic US transactions only. For international wire transfers, senders need the bank SWIFT code and your account number.
Chase expanded through acquisitions of regional banks that had established routing numbers. Rather than migrating all accounts to one number, Chase kept state-specific routing numbers.
A routing number identifies the bank. An account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both are required to complete a payment.
State-Based Routing Numbers for Major Banks
Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo use different routing numbers depending on which state your account was opened in.
| Bank | State / Region | Routing Number |
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