How do I find my bank's transit number?

You can find your transit number on a void cheque (it's the first group of digits in the MICR line at the bottom), in your bank's mobile app under account details, or on your online banking portal. You can also call your bank's customer service line. For digital banks (Tangerine, EQ Bank), the transit is a single fixed number for all accounts.

What is the difference between a transit number and institution number?

A transit number (5 digits) identifies the specific branch of a bank. An institution number (3 digits) identifies the bank itself. Together they form an 8-digit routing code in the format 0TTTTTIII (leading zero + transit + institution). Both are needed for direct deposit and EFT setups.

Do digital banks have transit numbers?

Yes. Digital (branchless) banks like Tangerine and EQ Bank have a single transit number for all accounts since they don't have physical branches. Tangerine's transit is 40611 and its institution number is 614. EQ Bank's details can be found in the EQ Bank app. Simplii Financial uses CIBC's institution number (010) with an account-specific transit.

Is a transit number the same as a routing number?

In Canada, the equivalent of a US routing number is the combination of transit number + institution number in the 8-digit EFT format (0TTTTTIII). Canadians don't typically use the term 'routing number' — instead they refer to transit and institution numbers separately. The 8-digit EFT code is what US banks call a routing number.

What Is a Transit Number in Canada 2026 — Branch Numbers Explained

Q: What is a transit number in Canada?

A transit number (also called a branch number) is a unique 5-digit code assigned to each bank branch in Canada by Payments Canada. It identifies the specific branch where your account is held. Transit numbers are used for direct deposit, Interac e-Transfers, pre-authorized debits/credits, wire transfers, and EFT payments.

A transit number (also called a branch number) is a 5-digit code that identifies a specific bank branch in Canada. It is assigned by Payments Canada and used for direct deposit, EFT transfers, and pre-authorized payments. Every physical branch has its own transit number; digital banks use a single transit for all customers.

Quick answer: Transit number = 5 digits. Identifies your branch. Found on void cheque (second group of MICR numbers, first 5 digits). Combined with institution number for EFT: 0[transit][institution] = 8 digits.

What Is a Canadian Transit Number?

The transit number is assigned by Payments Canada and appears:

On the bottom of a cheque (MICR line) — the first 5 digits of the second number group
In your bank’s mobile app under Account Details
On a direct deposit form (listed as “Branch Number” or “Transit Number”)

When you move to a new city and open an account at a different branch, your transit number changes even though your institution number stays the same. This is why direct deposit and CRA forms ask for both: the institution identifies the bank, the transit identifies the specific branch.

How to Read a Canadian Cheque (MICR Line)

[cheque number]  [transit][institution]  [account number]
     0001            40611 614              1234567890

The middle section reads: transit (5 digits) followed by institution (3 digits). On a printed cheque, this block may appear as ⑆ 40611614 ⑆.

Where to Find Your Transit Number

Method	Steps
Void cheque	Bottom of cheque — 5-digit transit in the second number block
Mobile banking app	Account → Account Details → Branch/Transit Number
Online banking	Account Summary → Account Details
Void cheque PDF	Download from your banking app (best option for payroll setup)
Phone banking	Call your bank’s main line; confirm identity then request transit info

Fastest method: In your bank’s app → select your chequing account → Account Details. Transit, institution, and account number are always displayed here.

Digital Bank Transit Numbers (Single for All Accounts)

Unlike Big 5 banks where every branch has a unique transit, digital banks assign one transit to all customers:

Bank	Transit	Institution	Notes
Tangerine	40611	614	Same for every Tangerine account
EQ Bank	00152	623	Find in EQ Bank app to confirm
Simplii	Account-specific	010 (CIBC)	Check in Simplii app

Transit Number vs. Institution Number vs. Account Number

Component	Digits	Identifies	Unique to…	Example
Transit (branch)	5	Specific branch	Branch location	40611
Institution	3	The bank	The bank as a whole	614
Account	7–12	Your account	Individual customer	1234567890
EFT routing	8	Bank + branch (combined)	Routing combination	040611614

Setting Up CRA Direct Deposit with Your Transit Number

Log into CRA My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account
Navigate to Profile → Direct deposit → Start or update
Enter:
- Transit number: your 5-digit branch transit
- Institution number: your bank’s 3-digit code
- Account number: your full chequing account number
Save — CRA direct deposit activates within 5–10 business days

Tip: Use the void cheque upload option in CRA My Account instead of typing numbers manually — the system reads the MICR line and pre-fills all three fields, eliminating entry errors.

Setting Up Payroll Direct Deposit

Your employer’s HR or payroll department will ask for:

Bank name
Transit (branch) number: 5 digits
Institution number: 3 digits
Account number: full account number

Or provide a void cheque PDF — downloadable in seconds from most banking apps under Account Details.

What Happens If You Provide the Wrong Transit Number

Non-existent transit: The EFT is rejected and returned within 3–5 business days
Wrong-but-valid transit: The payment may route to the correct bank but a different branch’s clearing — in practice, most banks route by account number once the institution is identified. However, some legacy payroll systems may reject mismatches. Always verify.
Prevention: Use the void cheque PDF method rather than manually transcribing numbers

Transit Number for US Payments

US payment systems use a 9-digit ABA routing number — a completely different system. Canadian transit numbers cannot be used as ABA routing numbers. If a US payer asks for a “routing number,” they need:

Your bank’s SWIFT code (for international wire)
Or confirmation that their system accepts Canadian EFT

See the Canadian Bank Routing Number guide for full details.

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