What is an ACH routing number and how do I find it?

To make an ACH (automated clearing house) payment, you’ll need the correct routing number. This ensures the fund transfer request reaches the intended financial institution. Without it, you’ll face an error that prevents the transaction going through.‍

When to use an ACH routing number

You’ll need the ACH routing number whenever you’re initiating an ACH payment. It’s one of two vital identifiers you need to submit the payment request (the other one being the bank account number of your recipient). 

Note that the ACH routing number is different from the bank account number.

ACH routing number definition

‍An ACH routing number is a nine-digit number assigned to each financial institution for the purpose of directing ACH payments. 

As an ACH payment is an account-to-account transfer, you need the ACH routing number of the intended recipient’s financial institution to ensure the payment is accurately processed. It enables the clearing house to direct funds to the correct financial institution.

ACH vs ABA routing numbers

You may be wondering: “Is an ACH number the same as a routing number?” The answer is: sometimes. A financial institution may have several different ABA (American Bankers Association) routing numbers, depending on the transaction type. An ABA routing number may also be referred to as the routing transit number or, simply, the transit number.

What you need to know is that an ACH routing number is categorized as an ABA number. So the ACH routing number is simply a more specific type of ABA routing number. It’s used for electronic transaction requests only, whereas the ABA routing number is used for paper checks as well as other kinds of electronic funds transfers.

The ABA routing number is printed in the bottom leftmost corner of a paper check. It’s the first nine digits, only. 

ACH routing number example: Bank of America

Let’s say you want to transfer $5000 to your supplier who has a business bank account with Bank of America in New York. This bank has several ABA routing numbers, only one of which is the ACH routing number.

Below is a list of the relevant ABA numbers for this bank:

1. Electronic payment (for example, making a direct deposit, an automatic payment or an ACH transfer): 021000322
2. Paper (for checks): 021000322
3. Wire transfer: 026009593

Therefore, the ACH routing number is: 021000322. 

You must not assume the supplier’s bank is in the same state as the supplier’s premises. The routing number actually relates to the state in which the account was first opened. See below for an explanation of how to find an ACH routing number.

Read more – ACH vs wire transfers: What’s the difference?

How to find an ACH routing number

Unless you are certain you know the location of your ACH payee’s business bank account, it’s best to ask the recipient to confirm their ACH routing number. The ACH routing number may depend on the state in which the account was opened, so you should ensure you cross-check the ACH routing number with the account owner for accuracy.

Anyone can find their ACH routing number by logging into their online account through their browser or banking app. It may be under a list of ABA routing numbers. The account owner should carefully check that they have the correct routing number for ACH payments (rather than wire transfers or another payment type).

If you cannot locate your routing number, it’s best to contact your bank.

What is the ACH routing number in the UK?

The UK uses a different system for bank account transfers, so you would need the recipient’s sort code rather than their ACH routing number.

What is the ACH company ID number?

This is the 10-digit identification number belonging to a financial institution that originates (i.e. initiates) an ACH payment. For this reason, the ACH company ID is also known as the originating ID, ACH ID, or the Originator’s ID. 

Read more: What is an ACH debit and how can they benefit businesses?

Make ACH payments with Checkout.com

It can be somewhat complicated to manage multiple ACH payment cycles. Many merchants prefer to partner with a payment services provider to make these processes run more smoothly. ACH payments have to conform to stringent guidelines by Nacha (National Automated Clearing House Association), and must go through a licensed financial services provider such as Checkout.com.

Learn more about accepting ACH payments with Checkout.com – and get to grips with the what, why, and how of adding ACH to your business payment methods. It may reassure you to know you can easily add ACH to your existing Checkout.com payment methods.