What Is A Bank Routing Number & How Do You Find It?

Routing numbers ensure payments are sent to the right bank or financial institution. Here's how to easily find your routing number.

WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Erica Seppala
Editor & Senior Staff Writer

Last updated onUpdated May 15, 2026

REVIEWED BY

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Key Takeaways

Bank routing numbers are 9-digit numbers used to identify financial institutions during bank transfers and direct deposits.
Businesses commonly use routing numbers for payroll, taxes, ACH transfers, wire transfers, and loan funding.
You can find your routing number through your bank account, mobile app, bank statement, or paper checks.

As a business owner, there are several situations where you’ll need your bank routing number, including setting up direct deposits, filing taxes, processing payroll, or receiving business loan funds.

This guide explains what a bank routing number is, where to find it, and how businesses commonly use routing numbers for banking transactions.

Table of Contents

What Is A Bank Routing Number?
How To Find A Bank Routing Number
When Do You Need Your Bank Routing Number?
The Bottom Line On Bank Routing Numbers

What Is A Bank Routing Number?

A bank routing number is a 9-digit number used to identify a financial institution during banking transactions. Routing numbers — also called ABA routing numbers or routing transit numbers — help banks send and receive money correctly.

Businesses commonly use routing numbers for:

Direct deposits
Payroll processing
Tax payments
Bank transfers
Payment apps and online payment services

Routing numbers are assigned to specific banks and credit unions and act like an address for moving money between financial institutions.

A routing number is generally only needed for transactions involving direct bank transfers. Debit and credit card purchases do not use routing numbers.

How To Find A Bank Routing Number

There are several ways to find your bank routing number, including:

Your monthly bank statement
Your online banking account or mobile app
Your bank’s customer service team
The ABA routing number lookup tool
The bottom-left corner of a paper check

Unlike an account number, a routing number is not unique to your specific bank account. Routing numbers identify the financial institution itself, which is why they are publicly available.

Keep in mind that some banks use different routing numbers depending on the state where the account was opened or the type of transaction being processed. Always confirm you’re using the correct routing number for your account and payment type.

When Do You Need Your Bank Routing Number?

There are several situations where you may need to provide your bank routing number.

Direct Deposit

Routing numbers are commonly used for direct deposits, including payroll, government benefits, and tax refunds. Employers and payroll providers use routing numbers to send money to the correct bank account.

Business Loans

Many business lenders deposit loan funds directly into your business checking account. To receive funding, you’ll typically need to provide your routing number and account number.

Filing Taxes

The IRS may require your routing number if you pay taxes directly from your bank account or request direct deposit for a tax refund.

Automatic Payments

Recurring payments for loans, rent, subscriptions, and utilities often require a routing number so payments can be withdrawn automatically from your account.

Checks & Wire Transfers

Routing numbers are printed on paper checks and are used to process checks and wire transfers between financial institutions.

Payment & Budgeting Apps

Apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle may require your routing number to connect your bank account for transfers and payments.

Bank Transfers

Routing numbers are also used for ACH transfers and moving money between accounts at different financial institutions.

The Bottom Line On Bank Routing Numbers

Bank routing numbers play an important role in business banking transactions, including payroll, direct deposits, tax payments, bank transfers, and loan funding.

Fortunately, routing numbers are easy to find through your bank account, mobile banking app, bank statements, or paper checks. If you’re ever unsure which routing number to use, your bank or financial institution can help confirm the correct one for your account and transaction type.

Don’t forget to check out Merchant Maverick’s other great business banking and small business resources. From choosing a bank for your small business to getting a loan from your bank, we provide guidance to help you every step of the way.

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Erica Seppala

Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick

Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.