RBC Royal Bank’s institution number is 003. Your branch transit number is a unique 5-digit code specific to the branch where you opened your account. Together, they identify your account for direct deposits, pre-authorized payments, and electronic funds transfers. For international wires, RBC’s SWIFT code is ROYCCAT2.
Quick answer: RBC institution number: 003. Branch transit number: 5 digits (find on void cheque or in RBC Online Banking). EFT routing format: 0TTTTT003 (leading zero + transit + 003). SWIFT/BIC: ROYCCAT2.
RBC Routing Number Components
Canada does not use a single 9-digit “routing number” the way US banks do. Instead, the Canadian banking system uses two separate numbers:
| Number | Length | What It Identifies |
|---|---|---|
| Institution number | 3 digits | The bank (RBC = 003) |
| Transit number | 5 digits | The specific branch |
| Combined (EFT format) | 8 digits | Full routing: 0TTTTT003 |
For most Canadian direct deposits and pre-authorized debits, you will need to provide both your transit number and institution number separately, or the combined 8-digit format — whichever the requesting form specifies.
RBC Institution Number: 003
003 is RBC Royal Bank’s assigned financial institution number registered with Payments Canada. This number is fixed — it is the same for all RBC branches across Canada. You do not need to look this up; it is always 003.
How to Find Your RBC Branch Transit Number
Your transit number is specific to the branch where you opened your account. It is the same regardless of which branch you use for transactions. There are four ways to find it:
Method 1: Void Cheque
The bottom of any RBC personal cheque contains your routing information in MICR (machine-readable) format:
⑆ CHEQUE# ⑆ TTTTT 003 ⑆ ACCOUNT# ⑆
The 5-digit number before 003 is your transit number. The 7-digit number after 003 is your account number.
If you do not have cheques, you can order a void cheque image through RBC Online Banking at no charge.
Method 2: RBC Online Banking
- Log into RBC Online Banking
- Click on your chequing account
- Select “Account Details” or look for “Direct Deposit / Pre-Authorized Payment” information
- Your transit number, institution number, and account number are displayed together
Method 3: RBC Mobile App
- Open the RBC Mobile app and log in
- Tap your chequing account
- Tap “Account Details”
- Scroll to find transit number, institution number, and account number
Method 4: RBC Customer Service
Call 1-800-769-2511 (available 24/7). Have your account details ready for identity verification. The representative can confirm your transit and account numbers.
EFT Routing Number Format
When a Canadian payroll system, employer, or government body asks for your “routing number” for direct deposit, they typically want the 8-digit EFT format:
Format: 0 + [5-digit transit] + 003
Example: If your transit number is 04502, your EFT routing number is 04502003. Note the leading zero — the format is always exactly 8 digits.
Some systems may ask for transit and institution number separately rather than the combined format. In that case:
- Transit (branch) number: Your 5-digit transit number
- Institution number: 003
CRA Direct Deposit Setup at RBC
To set up direct deposit for CRA tax refunds, GST/HST credits, or other government payments:
- Log into CRA My Account
- Go to “Direct Deposit”
- Enter your bank name: Royal Bank of Canada
- Enter your transit number (5 digits)
- Enter your institution number: 003
- Enter your account number (7 digits, found on cheque)
Alternatively, attach a void RBC cheque to a paper direct deposit form — all three numbers appear at the bottom and CRA will extract them.
RBC SWIFT Code for International Wires
For receiving international wire transfers into an RBC account:
| SWIFT/BIC | Location | Use |
|---|---|---|
| ROYCCAT2 | Toronto (head office) | Standard international wires |
| ROYCCAT2XXX | All branches | Some systems require the full format |
When providing wire instructions to a sender abroad, you will typically need to give them:
- Beneficiary bank: Royal Bank of Canada
- SWIFT/BIC: ROYCCAT2
- Beneficiary account number: Your 7-digit account number
- Beneficiary name: Your full name as it appears on the account
- Branch address: Your RBC branch’s street address (found on the RBC website branch locator)
Some international senders also ask for a routing number in their country’s format — if they are a US sender, they may ask for an ABA routing number. RBC does not have a US ABA number; you would route via the SWIFT code for cross-border wires.
RBC Account Number Format
RBC personal account numbers are typically 7 digits. Combined with your transit and institution number, the full banking identifier is:
[Transit: 5 digits] [Institution: 003] [Account: 7 digits]
Example: 04502 + 003 + 1234567 = account at branch 04502, RBC, account number 1234567.
For direct deposit forms that ask for a single long account number (common on US-style forms), provide your account number only (7 digits) and fill transit/institution separately, or ask the requester what format they need.
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