How to Find an Account Number From the Face of a Check

by Contributing Writer ; Updated July 27, 2017
Find an account number from the face of a check.

When you need your checking account number to make a financial transaction and all you have is a check, you need to use that check to find your account number. Your checks have quite a bit of information about your checking account, including the name of your bank, the routing number of that bank and, of course, your checking account number.

Step 1

Spot the series of numbers in the magnetic ink character recognition line. The MICR line is always on the bottom of a check.

Step 2

Note the check number in the upper right-hand corner of your check. Locate the same check number in the MICR line on the bottom of your check.

Step 3

Look for your bank's routing number, which is always the first nine digits on the MICR line.

Step 4

Find your account number in the remaining series of numbers on the check's MICR line once you have eliminated the check number and the bank routing number. The account number is always listed after the bank routing number, although it may be preceded by your check number.

Step 5

Write down your entire account number.

Photo Credits

  • check in macro image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com