Cheque where to find account number?

A bank account number is a unique set of digits, usually seven to 12, that refer to a specific banking account. This means that you have a separate bank account number for each account you have within a financial institution or in different banks.

Say you have a chequing account and a savings account at the same bank. Each one will have its own unique account number. This helps identify the specific account from which you want to do a transaction, whether it’s in person or online.

For example, if you want to set up direct deposit from your employer you will need to provide them with your account number so they know the specific account into which the funds are to be deposited. You’ll also need your account number if you want to send or receive a wire transfer, or transfer money between accounts at different banks.

The easiest way to find your account number is to look at a cheque associated with that specific account. At the bottom of the cheque is a row of numbers, each one in different groupings. The last group of numbers will be seven to 12 digits, depending on your financial institution. This is your account number.

If you go to your online banking portal to print a void cheque, it might even say “account number” to help avoid any confusion. But if not, just remember that it’s the seven- to 12-digit number on the bottom of your cheque.

Looking at a cheque is not the only way to find your account number. If you bank online, log into your account and you’ll find the account number listed on each account. Although in some cases, it might be prefaced by a transit number and a dash.

Similarly, you can check your bank statements, which will sometimes  list your account number. To verify your account number, you can also call your bank or visit a branch in person.

Make sure to keep your bank account number confidential so you can safeguard your money and prevent fraud. You may share it for specific reasons, such as to get paid via direct deposit or to receive money from a trusted family member or friend.

The account number is located at the bottom of your check. There should be three sets of numbers in a special computer-readable font at the bottom:

For example, see the image on the top of this page. This layout applies to most personal checks, but business checks (and online bill payment checks) may be different.

If you need to provide an account number, there's a good chance you'll need to provide other details from the check as well. Your account number by itself is not sufficient to create a link to your bank account for direct deposit or automatic bill payments.

The number on the far left is generally your bank’s routing transit number (RTN) or American Bankers Association (ABA) number. That nine-digit code identifies your bank, but it does not identify your specific account at that bank.

The set of numbers on the far right should be a check number, which is helpful when researching an individual check for your own accounting. A check number does not reference your bank or your account—it’s just a unique identifier for every check you write, helping you track your spending and balance your checkbook. Check numbers are not crucial for processing payments. In fact, check numbers can be re-used or used out of sequential order without major problems.

The format described and shown in the example above applies to most personal checks. However, checks that come from businesses (such as payroll checks) and checks that have been printed out by your bank might have a different format.

To further complicate matters, those checks may use account and routing numbers that are different from the numbers on your personal checks. If you try to copy your account number from a check printed using your bank’s online bill payment tool, you’ll get an account number that does not map directly to your individual account. Instead, that number points to an account that your bank uses for bill payments. You won't be able to use those numbers to link your account for direct deposit, Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, or wire transfers.

A customer service representative at your bank can tell you everything you need to know to get your automatic payments set up. They’ll need to know exactly which account you want to use because ABA numbers may vary depending on where you opened your account. You might also be able to find this information online when you’re logged into your account. Look for a direct deposit form, account details area, or instructions for setting up Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and ACH.

Getting the account number right is worth a few minutes on the phone with customer service. Consider the consequences of an improper setup: You might not get paid on time, and you might end up bouncing checks or missing payments for important things (like your mortgage or student loan, which can lead to serious headaches and expenses). Get it done right the first time, and then let everything run on autopilot—that’s the whole point of signing up for electronic payments.

It’s easy to find your account number on a check, but what if you don’t have any checks? The next best place to look is your monthly statement. In some cases, your account number is partially hidden (especially if you view statements online), so you may need to call or chat online with customer service. You may also be able to click on something that enables you to expand or "show" your full account number.

Where is the account number on a check? You can find your account number at the bottom of your checks, the second set of numbers from the left that is between 9 and 12 digits.

• Acquire the bank statement (electronic or paper)
• Identify the first page of the bank statement.
• Look at the top of the right column. The number beside “Account:” is your account number.