Where to find your Bank of America routing number
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which Bank of America branch holds your account. For wire transfers, you need the routing number specific to your state and account type — not just any Bank of America number.
The fastest way to find it is to look at the bottom left corner of any check you have from that account. The first set of nine digits is your routing number. If you don't have a check, log into your Bank of America online account, go to Account Details, and the routing number appears there. You can also call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and give them your account number — they'll confirm the routing number in seconds.
Bank of America uses different routing numbers depending on which state your account was opened in and whether it's a checking or savings account. Using the wrong routing number won't send your money to the wrong place — the wire will typically be rejected or delayed — but using the right one the first time saves you that headache.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check from your Bank of America account.
- You can find it by logging into your online account under Account Details, or by calling 1-800-432-1000.
- Bank of America routing numbers vary by state and account type, so confirm you have the correct one before sending a wire.
- The routing number is always nine digits and is different from your account number, which appears to its right on a check.
Why Bank of America has multiple routing numbers
Bank of America operates routing numbers by state because the Federal Reserve system routes wire transfers through regional processing centers. When you wire money, the routing number directs it to the correct regional hub first, then to your specific branch.
This is why you can't just use "the" Bank of America routing number — there isn't one. A routing number for an account opened in California won't work for an account opened in New York, even though both are Bank of America. The system needs to know which state's processing center to send your wire through.
How to confirm the routing number before you wire
Before you initiate a wire transfer, verify the routing number one more time. The cost of sending a wire is usually $15 to $30, and if the routing number is wrong, you may not get that money back quickly — or at all.
Call Bank of America directly at 1-800-432-1000 with your account number ready. Tell them you're about to send a wire transfer and ask them to confirm the routing number for your specific account. This takes two minutes and eliminates the most common reason wires go wrong.
If you're receiving a wire instead of sending one, ask the person sending the money to confirm your routing number with their bank before they initiate the transfer. Many wire delays happen because the sender used outdated information or guessed.
Routing number versus account number
These are two different things, and both are required for a wire transfer. Your routing number identifies your bank and the state where your account is held. Your account number identifies which specific account you have at that bank.
On a check, the routing number is the first nine digits at the bottom left. The account number comes immediately after it. When you wire money, you'll provide both — the routing number tells the system where to send it, and the account number tells it which account to deposit it into once it arrives.
What happens if you use the wrong routing number
If you use an incorrect routing number, the wire transfer is usually rejected by the receiving bank's system before any money moves. You'll get a notification that the wire failed, and the funds will return to your account within one to three business days.
In rare cases, a wire with a wrong routing number reaches a different bank entirely. If this happens, that bank will reject it and send it back, but the process takes longer — sometimes a week or more. You won't lose the money, but you will lose time and may face a wire fee from your bank even though the transfer didn't complete.
This is why confirming the routing number before you send is worth the thirty seconds it takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number on my debit card the same as the one for wire transfers?
No. Your debit card doesn't show a routing number. The routing number for wire transfers comes from your checks, your online account, or by calling the bank. Don't confuse it with any number printed on your card.
Can I use the same routing number for all my Bank of America accounts?
Only if all your accounts are in the same state and the same account type. If you have accounts in different states or a mix of checking and savings accounts, each may have a different routing number. Check each account separately before wiring.
What if I'm wiring money to someone else's Bank of America account?
You need their routing number and their account number. Ask them to provide both, or have them check their own checks or online account. Don't assume their routing number is the same as yours — it depends on where their account is held.
Do I need the routing number if I'm transferring money between my own Bank of America accounts?
No. Internal transfers between your own accounts use a different process and don't require a routing number. You can set this up in your online account under Transfers. A routing number is only needed when money is going to a different bank or to someone else's account.