A routing number is the 9-digit code that identifies your bank for electronic transactions — you need it for direct deposit, wire transfers, ACH payments, tax refunds, and linking accounts. This guide covers how to find your routing number, how to verify it, and the main routing number for every major US bank.
How to Find Your Bank’s Routing Number
The most reliable methods, in order of speed:
1. Your bank’s mobile app — Open the app, go to your account, and look for “Account Details” or “Routing Number” in settings. The number shown here is always authoritative.
2. The bottom of a paper check — The first 9 digits in the lower-left corner of any check are your routing number. Your account number follows, and the check number comes last.
3. Online banking — Log in to your bank’s website and look under Account Information or Account Summary.
4. Your bank statement — Many banks print the routing number on paper statements.
5. Call your bank — Customer service can confirm both your ACH routing number and your wire transfer routing number (which sometimes differ).
6. Your bank’s website — Most banks list their routing number in the FAQ, Help Center, or Direct Deposit sections.
Tip: If your bank operates in multiple states, always use the routing number for the state where you originally opened your account — not where you currently live.
How to Verify Any Routing Number
Before using a routing number for a large or important transfer, verify it through an official source:
- Your bank’s app or online banking — the most reliable source
- ABA Routing Number Lookup — the official tool at routingnumbers.aba.com lets you look up any US bank by routing number or bank name
- The bottom of a check — checks are printed with your correct routing number
- Your bank’s customer service line
Never use routing numbers from unofficial websites, email, or text messages. Routing numbers are public (they identify banks, not individuals), but entering a wrong number sends your money to the wrong place.
How Routing Numbers Work
A routing number — also called an ABA routing number or RTN — is assigned by the American Bankers Association to identify US financial institutions. The 9 digits encode where the bank is based:
| Digits | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | Federal Reserve district and office |
| 5–8 | Bank identifier |
| 9 | Check digit (validates the number) |
Large banks typically acquired smaller regional banks over decades, which is why they ended up with different routing numbers per state. The routing number you need is based on the state where you opened your account.
Some banks also use a separate routing number for wire transfers versus ACH transactions. When setting up a transfer, confirm whether you need the ACH or wire routing number.
Quick Reference: Major Bank Routing Numbers
The table below shows the primary routing number for each bank. Banks marked “varies by state” have different numbers depending on where you opened your account — click the bank link for the full state breakdown.
| Bank | Primary Routing Number | Varies by State? |
|---|---|---|
| Chase | 021000021 | Yes |
| Bank of America | 026009593 | Yes |
| Wells Fargo | 121000248 | Yes |
| Citi | 021000089 | Yes |
| Capital One | 051405515 | Yes |
| PNC | 043000096 | Yes |
| US Bank | 122235821 | Yes |
| TD Bank | 031101266 | Yes |
| Truist | 061000104 | Yes |
| Ally Bank | 124003116 | No |
| Navy Federal | 256074974 | No |
| USAA | 314074269 | No |
| Discover Bank | 031100649 | No |
| Marcus (Goldman Sachs) | 124085024 | No |
| SoFi | 026073150 | No |
| Chime | 031101279 | No |
| Charles Schwab | 121202211 | No |
| Fidelity | 101205681 | No |
Routing Numbers for Major Banks
Chase Bank
Main routing number: 021000021
Chase routing numbers vary by the state where you opened your account. The number above is used for New York and several other states. See the Chase routing number guide for all state-specific numbers and wire transfer routing numbers.
Bank of America
Main routing number: 026009593
Bank of America operates in all 50 states with a unique routing number for each. See the Bank of America routing number guide for the full state list.
Wells Fargo
Main routing number: 121000248
Wells Fargo operates in all 50 states and assigns a unique routing number to each. See the Wells Fargo routing number guide for the complete state list.
Citibank
Main routing number: 021000089
Citi has physical branches in 12 states. Your routing number depends on where you bank. Online banking and credit card payments may use a different number. See the Citi routing number guide.
Capital One
Main routing number: 051405515
Capital One routing numbers vary by region and account type. Capital One 360 online accounts use 031176110. See the Capital One routing number guide for details.
PNC Bank
Main routing number: 043000096
PNC operates across the eastern and midwestern US. Routing numbers differ by state. See the PNC routing number guide.
US Bank
Main routing number: 122235821
US Bank primarily operates in western and midwestern states. Each state has a unique routing number. See the US Bank routing number guide.
TD Bank
Main routing number: 031101266
TD Bank operates along the East Coast. Routing numbers vary by state and sometimes by region within a state. See the TD Bank routing number guide.
Truist
Main routing number: 061000104
Truist was formed from the merger of BB&T and SunTrust in 2019. Both legacy routing numbers are still in use — your number depends on which bank you had your account with and your state. See the Truist routing number guide.
Ally Bank
Routing number: 124003116
Ally is an online-only bank and uses a single routing number for all customers nationwide — for ACH, direct deposit, and wire transfers.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Routing number: 256074974
Navy Federal serves military members, veterans, and their families and uses one routing number for all members. See the Navy Federal routing number guide for international wire details.
USAA
Routing number: 314074269
USAA uses a single routing number for all members nationwide — for ACH, direct deposit, and domestic wire transfers. See the USAA routing number guide.
When You Need Your Routing Number
| Transaction | Routing Number Required? |
|---|---|
| Direct deposit setup | Yes |
| Tax refund via direct deposit | Yes |
| Wire transfer (sending or receiving) | Yes |
| ACH payment / bill pay | Yes |
| Linking external bank accounts | Yes |
| PayPal or Venmo bank link | Yes |
| ATM withdrawal | No |
| Debit card purchase | No |
| Zelle transfer | No (uses email/phone) |
ACH vs. Wire Transfer Routing Numbers
Some banks use different routing numbers for ACH transactions and wire transfers. Using the wrong one can delay your transfer.
- ACH routing number — used for direct deposit, bill pay, and standard bank-to-bank transfers (1–3 business days)
- Wire routing number — used for same-day domestic wire transfers; may differ from the ACH number
When setting up a wire transfer, ask your bank specifically for the wire routing number. The ACH number is the one usually listed in your app and on checks.
Bottom Line
The fastest way to find your routing number is your bank’s mobile app. If you have a paper check, the first 9 digits on the lower left are your routing number. Before any large transfer, verify the number at routingnumbers.aba.com or through your bank directly.
For more on how routing numbers work, see what is a routing number and routing number vs account number.
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