Routing vs. Account Number: What are the Main Differences?

Before making a transaction, it’s important to understand the key information needed to ensure funds go to the right place. US financial institutions require both a routing number and an account number to identify customers and finalize transactions.

This article will explain the difference between routing vs. account number. It’ll also introduce one alternative you can use to send money abroad, from Wise. With Wise, you can save up to 3x when sending internationally, with transparent fees.

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Don’t know the difference between routing vs account number?

Let’s clear things up and break down the main differences between the two.

• Account numbers are unique! While many branches of a bank can operate under the same routing number, all the accounts have different numbers for identification.
• Routing numbers indicate processing information. The numbers that make up a routing number indicate which Federal Reserve banks and centers will process the check. An account number is simply assigned by the financial institution from their own process.
• Routing numbers are always nine digits, while account numbers can vary from eight to 12 digits and/or letters.

Breakdown of a Routing Number

Many financial institutions identify routing numbers based on the purpose of the transaction, so they may have a few different names like:

• Routing Transit Number
• ABA (American Bankers Association) Routing Number
• Fedwire Numbers
• Check Routing Number

It all means the same thing. A routing number is the nine-digit identification number assigned by the ABA, and they’re specific to each financial institution.¹ Think of them as an address to a bank.

How the ABA assigns the numbers

• The Federal Reserve Routing System assigns the first four digits to the bank or credit union. Until 2019, the numbers represented the physical location of the bank. If your bank has a new number, this is no longer the case.²

• The next four numbers represent the routing Federal Reserve Bank, processing center, and district.

• The final (9th) number is the total of a checksum test from the first eight numbers. If the ninth number doesn’t equal the result of the algorithm, then the transaction or check is flagged. In this situation, the Federal Reserve processes the transaction manually.³

Some banks may have multiple routing numbers due to their size—think about large operations like US Bank, Capital One or Wells Fargo.

But don’t worry! No bank may have more than 10 routing numbers, so it isn’t difficult to find the one associated with your personal bank or credit union.

Where to Find a Routing Number

There are many options to help find your bank’s routing number:

1. Wise has a comprehensive list to help find the routing number for most major U.S. banks. Click ‘find your routing number’ at the top of the page.

2. Banks provide key account information—like account and routing numbers—through their online portal. Login to your account to find the number.

3. If you have bank-issued checks, the routing number on a check is located at the bottom and on the left side—the first nine numbers.

4. The Federal Reserve’s Official Site has a routing number directory.

5. If you’re using a Wise account for an ACH transfer, these are our routing numbers.

Breakdown of an Account Number

While routing numbers identify financial institutions, account numbers are unique to the account holder. Think of them as an identification much like a passport or driver’s license number.

Each account number is made up of eight to twelve digits and/or letters and is different for every account. So, a checking account and a savings account for an individual at a bank will be different, but the routing number—in most cases—will remain the same.⁴

Where to find an Account Number

There are many options to locate an account number:

1. Log in to the account through an online portal. A bank’s web system will have a link to locate an account number once you’re securely logged in.

2. Again, if you have bank-issued checks, the account number on a check is located at the bottom of the check and is the middle set of numbers. The sequence of numbers of a paper check is: the routing number, the account number, and the check number.

3. Check a monthly statement for the account number. Though many banks may hide half or all but the last four digits on the statement, some banks still print the entire number.

4. If all else fails, visit or call the bank. With proper identification, any bank will tell you the number for your account.

An Alternative to Send Money Abroad

A great alternative to send money abroad is Wise. It can be faster and cheaper than a wire transfer, and there’s no need for SWIFT or BIC codes. Sending money online with Wise lets you send money at the mid-market exchange rate and avoid exchange rate markup charges.

To save on fees, you can also use your bank’s routing number and account number to add funds to a Wise Multi-currency Account. With your Wise debit card, you can spend money or use an ATM in the local currency and avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees from foreign banks. There’s no annual card fee, and you’ll always get the mid-market exchange rate!

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All sources checked on 16 February 2021