If you are wondering what bank routing number is and where to find one, you have come to the right place as we have discussed the same in detail.

What is a Bank Routing Number?

It is a nine-digit code that can be used to identify a specific financial institution in the USA. Banks use these routing numbers for funds transfer back and forth.

Types of Routing Number?

There are mainly two types of routing numbers as described below.

1. ABA Routing Number:

American Bankers Association (ABA) routing numbers are mainly used to make check transfers, and they are standardized for all banks. It is nine digits long with two digits between 00 and 12.

ABA routing number includes ACH routing number as well as domestic wire numbers. So basically, a smaller bank will only have one routing number, whereas a larger scale bank will consist of multiple routing numbers.

2. ACH Routing Number:

Automatic Clearing House (ACH) routing numbers are usually used for electronic transfers and are commonly used for small payments. These are unique to banks and their branches. Not every bank needs to have an ACH code, and if it does, it is standardized. It is nine digits long, with the first two digits usually ranging from 61 to 72.

So basically, ABA is used for paper check transfer, hence also known as “check routing number,” and ACH routine for electronic transfers, also known as “electronic routing number.” Honestly, the majority of banks use only one routing number for both. But you will find several regional branches with a separate ACH routing number.

So, the ABA routing number includes ACH routing numbers, but it is not vice versa. Your bank may have a specific ACH routing number for electronic transfers.

How to find a Bank Routing Number?

With the Help of Bank’s Check:

So as we have already discussed how routing numbers, commonly referred to as ABA routing numbers, are used for check payment, you can easily find it on the bank’s check. The nine-digit number you find on the bottom-left corner of the check is the bank routing number. You will also find the number printed in an odd font because it is printed in electronic ink and known as magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) to allow financial institutions to easily process the check.

Without a Check:

If you do not have a checkbook, you can always check the bank’s online website to find the routing number or calling your bank’s local branch. There are online portals that can help you find Bank Routing Numbers. The routing number can vary by the bank as well as the branch. This means one bank can have different routing numbers; hence check if you have got the routing number of the bank branch right where you have opened the account.

You can also directly use the ABA’s website to search the routing number of a bank, and you can use the ABA search to find a bank using its routing number.