Account Number on Check: Bank of America & Chase Guide
You’ve got a check in your hand and need to set up a direct deposit or make a payment — but you’re staring at a string of numbers and not sure which one is your account number. It’s a common frustration, but the answer is simpler than you think. The account number lives in a predictable spot on any standard check, and once you know the pattern — routing number, then account number, then check number — you’ll never confuse them again. We’ll walk through Bank of America and Chase examples, plus show you how to find your account number without a check.
Length of standard U.S. account number: 10-12 digits ·
Position on check: Second set of numbers at bottom ·
Digits in routing number preceding account number: 9 ·
Banks using 8-digit account numbers (example): Bank of Ireland ·
Location of account number on a check (Bank of America): Between routing and check number
Quick snapshot
- Account number is the second set of numbers at the bottom of a check (Bankrate).
- Routing number is always nine digits (Chase Bank).
- Account number length varies by bank (typically 10-12 digits in the U.S.). (Bankrate)
- Exact account number digit count for every bank — verify on your own check (Bankrate).
- Position may vary on some special check formats (e.g., business checks) (Business Insider).
- Account number length varies by bank (typically 10-12 digits in the U.S.) (Business Insider).
- The second set of numbers is the account number — a consistent pattern across U.S. checks (Chase Bank).
- Find your account number online via banking app or portal (Chase Bank).
- Check paper or PDF bank statements.
The table below summarizes the key positions and digit lengths for quick reference.
| Position on check | Second set of numbers at bottom |
| Routing number digits | 9 digits (always first) |
| Account number digits (typical) | 10-12 digits |
| Check number position | Last set of numbers (2-4 digits) |
| Bank of America example routing | 121000358 (California) |
| Chase example routing | 021000021 (New York) |
Where Is the Account Number on a Check?
How to read the bottom of a check
Every personal check printed in the U.S. follows a three-part numbering system at the bottom. The first set of nine digits is the routing number — it identifies your bank. The second set is your account number. The third and shortest set is the check number itself (Bankrate).
- Routing number: always 9 digits, bottom left (Chase Bank).
- Account number: next set, length varies by bank.
- Check number: last set, usually 2-4 digits.
Symbol characters (⑆ ⑈) separate each group. Some banks swap the account and check number ordering on certain check designs — if in doubt, the longer number after the nine-digit routing number is your account number (Bankrate).
Once you spot the 9-digit routing number on the left, the next number to its right — typically 10-12 digits — is your account number. That single rule works for checks from Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and most U.S. banks.
The implication: Learning this one pattern eliminates the confusion between routing, account, and check numbers for good.
Routing number vs account number vs check number
It’s easy to mix them up because they all appear in a single line of machine-readable ink. The routing number is a public identifier — the same for everyone at your bank branch. The account number is private, unique to you. The check number changes with every check you write (Bankrate).
“Your account number is found at the bottom of a check. It’s the second set of numbers, between the nine-digit routing number and the check number.”
— Bankrate (editorial guide)
Why this matters: Using the wrong number when setting up direct deposit or automatic payments can cost you days of bounced transfers.
How Many Digits Is an Account Number on a Check?
Standard digit length by bank
Most U.S. bank account numbers run between 8 and 12 digits (Business Insider). But no law sets a uniform length — each bank chooses its own format. Here are real-world examples from major institutions:
- Bank of America: 12 digits (Business Insider).
- Chase: around 9 or 10 digits (Business Insider).
- PNC: 9-12 digits (Business Insider).
When account numbers are 8, 10, or 12 digits
“The second set of numbers following the character symbol immediately after your routing number is your account number,” explains Nationwide (financial education article). That set can be 8 digits for some international accounts — for example, Bank of Ireland uses the last 8 digits of the IBAN as the account number. In the U.S., you’re most likely to see 10-12 digits.
The implication: Never guess the length. Always count the digits between the routing number and the check number.
How to Find Your Account Number on a Bank of America Check
Bank of America check layout
On a Bank of America check, the routing number (for example, 121000358 in California) appears first at the bottom left. Next comes your 12-digit account number, followed by the check number (Bank of America (official routing number FAQ)).
- Look at the bottom of the check.
- Find the nine-digit routing number on the far left.
- The next 12 digits are your account number.
- The remaining few digits are the check number.
Finding account number in mobile app
You don’t need a check. Sign in to the Bank of America mobile app, select your account, and tap “Information and Services.” Your account number appears under account details (Business Insider).
Bank of America makes the number accessible without a check — but the on-check location is the safest way to verify because it matches what printed checks show.
The pattern: Whether you use the check or the app, the 12-digit account number stays the same — verifying it against a printed check eliminates any data-entry errors.
How to Find Your Account Number on a Chase Check
Chase check format
Chase checks follow the same three-number layout. The routing number (e.g., 021000021 for New York) sits in the bottom-left corner. The account number is next, toward the bottom center. The check number is on the far right (Chase Bank).
- Look at the bottom of the check.
- Identify the first nine digits — that’s Chase’s routing number.
- The next set is your account number.
- The last short number is the check number.
“The second set of numbers following the character symbol immediately after your routing number is your account number.”
— Nationwide (financial education article)
Using Chase online or app to find account number
Sign in to chase.com and click the account name. Then click “Account & routing number” to see your full account number (Chase Bank (online banking help)). On the Chase mobile app, tap the account tile and then “Show details” (Chase Bank).
The trade-off: Mobile and online views show the number instantaneously, but the check is still the most foolproof source — no accidental copy/paste errors.
Can I Find My Account Number Without a Check?
Online banking method
Log into your bank’s online portal. Account numbers are usually displayed on the account summary page (Chase Bank). For Bank of America, navigate to “Account Overview” and click the “Information and Services” tab (Business Insider).
Mobile banking app
Most banking apps now show the account number in a dedicated dashboard section. For Chase, tap the account tile → “Show details.” For Bank of America, select the account → “Information and Services.”
Bank statement
Paper and PDF statements always include the full account number, usually at the top or in the account details section.
Customer service
Call your bank’s customer service number with identity verification. Chase’s banking support can be reached at 800-935-9935 (Muralpay (business banking resource)). The representative will confirm your account number after verifying your identity.
Calling customer service works but requires you to answer security questions. If you need the number immediately, the check method or online portal is faster.
The catch: Customer service is a reliable fallback, but digital methods deliver the number in seconds without the hassle of identity verification queues.
For Canadian cheques, the equivalent of the account number is called the transit number on a cheque.
Frequently asked questions
Is the account number the same as the routing number?
No. The routing number identifies your bank; the account number identifies your specific account. They appear together at the bottom of a check but have different functions (Bankrate).
Can I use the account number from a check to deposit money?
Yes. To deposit a check or set up direct deposit, you’ll need both the routing number (9 digits) and your account number. The account number directs funds to your specific account (Chase Bank (education resource)).
What if my account number has fewer than 10 digits?
Some banks use shorter account numbers. For example, Chase accounts can be 9-10 digits, and international banks like Bank of Ireland use 8 digits (last 8 of IBAN). Always verify the number by checking the set between routing and check numbers on your check.
Do all checks have the same format for account numbers?
Most personal checks follow the three-number format: routing number (9 digits), account number, check number. Business checks or specialized bank drafts may vary, but the account number is almost always the longer number immediately after the routing number (Bankrate).
Can I find my account number on my debit card?
No. A debit card does not display your bank account number — only the 16-digit card number, the expiration date, and the CVV. The account number is separate and must be obtained from a check, statement, or online banking.
How do I find my account number if I lost my checks?
Use online banking or your bank’s mobile app. Bank statements (paper or PDF) also show the full account number. If you can’t access digital banking, call customer service to verify your identity and request the number.
Why do some checks have the account number before the routing number?
On rare check formats (some business checks or international drafts), the ordering may differ. In the U.S. standard personal check, the routing number comes first. If your check appears different, the 9-digit number is always the routing number — look for the longer set of numbers next to it (Bankrate).
For more guidance on identifying numbers, see our guide on Phone Number Lookup Free. For personal finance context, explore Cheapest State to Live In.
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