Home FAQs Making A Transfer What Is a Bank Routing Number, and When Is It Used?

What Is a Bank Routing Number, and When Is It Used?

Your routing number is a 9-digit code that will be used to identify where your bank account was opened. It may also be known as an RTN, an ABA routing number, or a routing transit number. As you prepare to send money internationally, one of the numbers that you’ll want to have on hand is your routing number.

Where to Find Your Routing Number

You can find your routing number at the bottom of your checks, as it will be the set of numbers on the left side of your account number. If you have online banking, you can easily find your routing number information on your account’s page. 

 

Because routing numbers don’t need to be kept confidential, a lot of banks will even have them posted on their websites. This makes it a snap to access the routing number you need for wiring money with a simple Google search.

When a Routing Number Is Used

There are several situations in which you’ll be asked for your routing number. For example, if you’re making a payment by phone or online, or if you’re making automatic bill payments, you’ll need to provide your account number and routing number.

 

Also, if you’re processing checks or transferring money internationally, you’ll be asked to provide your routing number, so the banks will know precisely where the money needs to go.

 

Your bank will be able to tell you which routing number to use for the task that you’re hoping to accomplish. Routing numbers on checks might be different from the routing numbers required for performing wire transfers, so it’s a good idea to look them up online in order to avoid processing delays.