Understanding Bank Numbers on Checks: A Comprehensive Guide

Numbers printed on checks are used to identify the banking corporation.

Bank numbers on checks are established to aid banks and their customers in processing transactions. Several numbers printed on personal and business checks are used to identify the banking corporation, customer account number, location of the customer account, and the specific check number. Special inks on checks allow electronic scanning of routing numbers, account numbers and check numbers to make processing of checks faster and more accurate. And when you send a check half way around the world, the recipient bank can clearly know where funds are to be drawn.

Step 1

Look at the numbers on the bottom of the check.

Look at the numbers at the bottom of the check. This is the MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) Line. There are two sets of encoded numbers; the first contains the bank's routing number, and the second contains the customer's account number along with the check number of the specific check. These numbers are printed with a special type of ink that allows encoding machines to read them electronically.

Step 2

Find the check number.

Find the check number. This is printed in the upper right hand corner of the check. It is also printed at the bottom of the check on the MICR line. Check numbers are sequential within a checking account.

Step 3

Locate the banks routing number.

Locate the bank's routing number on the bottom of the check in the MICR line. These numbers are also referred to ABA numbers or routing transit numbers and are assigned to financial institutions by the American Bankers Association (ABA). This 9-digit number serves to identify your bank and may begin with 0,1,2 or 3.

Step 4

Look for the account number on the bottom of your check.

Look for the account number. This number is unique at your bank and is located on the bottom of the check on the MICR line.

Step 5

Locate the fractional number.

Locate the fractional number. The fractional number is found at the upper right portion of the check. It can appear just below the check number, or it can be printed to the left of the check number. The fractional number identifies the specific bank or branch that the check is drawn from.

Step 6

See if you have an ACH R/T number on your check.

See if you have an ACH R/T number. The Automated Clearing House (ACH) routing number can be found under the bank name and logo on the left side of the check and may be the same as the routing number mentioned above.