What is a Canadian bank routing number?

Canada doesn't use the term 'routing number' the way the US does. The Canadian equivalent is an 8-digit EFT code combining a leading zero, a 5-digit transit (branch) number, and a 3-digit institution number: format 0TTTTTIII. For example, Tangerine's EFT routing number is 040611614 (0 + transit 40611 + institution 614).

What is RBC's routing number in Canada?

RBC's institution number is 003. The full EFT routing code format is 0[transit]003 where the transit depends on your specific branch. For RBC's main Ontario transit, a common EFT code is 000300003. Find your specific transit in the RBC mobile app, on a void cheque, or at RBC's website.

What is TD Bank's routing number in Canada?

TD's institution number is 004. The EFT routing format is 0[transit]004, where the transit is your specific branch. Find your TD transit number in the TD app under Account Details, on a void cheque, or at td.com. TD does not use a single national routing number — each branch has its own transit.

Does Canada use SWIFT codes for international wires?

Yes. Canadian banks use SWIFT codes for incoming international wire transfers. Major SWIFT codes: RBC is ROYCCAT2, TD is TDOMCATTTOR, Scotiabank is NOSCCATT, CIBC is CIBCCATT, BMO is BOFMCAM2. Digital banks like Tangerine, Simplii, and EQ Bank typically do not support outgoing international wires from personal accounts.

How do I find my Canadian bank routing number for US payments?

When a US service asks for a 'routing number' for a Canadian bank, you typically need your 8-digit EFT code (0 + transit + institution). However, many US payment systems also require a SWIFT code and account number for international transfers. Contact your bank to confirm the exact format required by the specific US service or system.

Canadian Bank Routing Number 2026 — Complete Guide for All Major Banks

Canada’s bank routing equivalent is an 8-digit EFT code: 0 + [5-digit transit] + [3-digit institution]. There is no single “routing number” per bank — the transit changes by branch. Digital banks (Tangerine, EQ Bank) have one transit for all accounts.

Quick answer: Canadian routing format: 0[transit][institution] = 8 digits. Tangerine example: 040611614. SWIFT for international: RBC ROYCCAT2, TD TDOMCATTTOR, BMO BOFMCAM2, CIBC CIBCCATT, Scotia NOSCCATT.

Canadian Bank Institution Numbers 2026

Bank / Institution	Institution #	SWIFT Code
BMO (Bank of Montreal)	001	BOFMCAM2
Scotiabank	002	NOSCCATT
RBC Royal Bank	003	ROYCCAT2
TD Canada Trust	004	TDOMCATTTOR
National Bank of Canada	006	BNDCCAMMINT
CIBC	010	CIBCCATT
Laurentian Bank	039	—
ATB Financial	219	—
Tangerine Bank	614	None (domestic only)
EQ Bank (Equitable Bank)	623	None (domestic only)
Simplii Financial	010 (uses CIBC)	CIBCCATT (incoming only)

Source: Payments Canada financial institution directory. Verify at payments.ca.

EFT Routing Format Examples

Format:  0 + [TTTTT transit] + [III institution] = 8 digits
Tangerine: 0 + 40611 + 614 = 040611614
BMO (sample branch): 0 + 00011 + 001 = 000110001

How to build yours: Take the transit number from your cheque or banking app, prepend a zero, then append your institution’s 3-digit code.

How to Find Your Canadian Bank Routing Details

Method	Steps
Void cheque	Bottom MICR line: [cheque#] [transit+institution] [account#]
Mobile banking app	Account → Account Details → Branch/Transit Number
Online banking portal	Account Summary → View Account Details
Phone	Call your bank’s 24/7 line; confirm routing info after ID verification

Bank-Specific Routing Guides

Bank	Institution #	Guide
RBC	003	RBC Routing Number
TD	004	TD Routing Number
Scotiabank	002	Scotiabank Routing Number
CIBC	010	CIBC Routing Number
BMO	001	BMO Routing Number
Tangerine	614	Tangerine Routing Number
Simplii	010	Simplii Routing Number
EQ Bank	623	Find in EQ Bank app

“US Routing Number” vs. Canadian EFT Code — Common Confusion

When a US service (Stripe, PayPal, US payroll systems, ACH transfers) asks for a “routing number,” they mean an ABA routing number — a 9-digit code used exclusively in the US banking system. Canadian banks do not have ABA routing numbers.

What to do when a US system needs a routing number:

Most US-to-Canada transfers use SWIFT/wire — you provide your SWIFT code, account number, and bank address
Some US services now support Canadian EFT directly — ask whether they accept the 8-digit Canadian EFT format
If paying a US supplier from Canada, use your bank’s international wire transfer service

For receiving USD in Canada: Give the US payer your bank’s SWIFT code, your full account number, and your bank’s address. Your bank will convert USD to CAD (minus a spread, typically 2.5%) and deposit to your chequing account.

Credit Union Routing Numbers

Canadian credit unions have their own institution numbers assigned by Payments Canada — they vary by province and credit union. Members can find their credit union’s routing information:

On a void cheque from the credit union
In the credit union’s online banking portal
By calling the credit union directly

Credit union institution numbers are not listed in this article because they vary widely. Major credit union centrals operate clearing through provincial central systems.

Setting Up CRA Direct Deposit

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) accepts direct deposit via your bank’s routing information:

Log in to CRA My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account
Navigate to Profile → Direct deposit
Enter:
- Institution number: Your bank’s 3-digit code
- Transit number: Your 5-digit branch transit
- Account number: Your full chequing account number
Confirm and save — takes 5–10 business days to activate

Alternatively: Upload a void cheque image directly in CRA My Account — the system reads the MICR line automatically.

What Happens If You Enter the Wrong Routing Number

Wrong institution number: Your EFT transfer goes to the wrong bank — it will typically be returned within 3–5 business days
Wrong transit number: Transfer may fail outright (if the transit doesn’t exist) or be deposited to the wrong branch (rare with account number validation)
Wrong account number: Transfer fails or — in rare cases — reaches another account; recovery requires filing a trace with your bank

For payroll and CRA, always verify by depositing a test amount first or using the void cheque upload option to minimize manual entry errors.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy