Your account number is usually on your statement, in your app’s account details, and on paper checks if you have them.
When a form asks for your account number, it often wants it right now. Direct deposit. A transfer between banks. A bill-pay setup. A tax refund. That’s when people end up squinting at a check, clicking through an app, or staring at a statement PDF.
This walkthrough keeps it simple: where the number shows up, how to spot it, what to do if it’s hidden, and how to avoid mixing it up with other numbers that look similar.
What An Account Number Is And Why You’re Being Asked For It
Your account number identifies a specific bank account at a bank or credit union. It’s different from identifiers that point to the bank itself. Many payment systems need both pieces: one to reach the bank, one to land money in the right account.
Most banks show the full number only after you verify your identity in the app or website. On printed documents, it may be partially masked to reduce risk if the paper gets misplaced.
How To Find the Account Number On Paper And Online
If you only try one thing, try this order. It’s the fastest path for most people.
Check A Recent Statement
Look at the first page of your most recent statement (paper or PDF). Many banks place the full account number near the top, near your name and account label. Some show only the last few digits on the statement summary and the full number on a detail page inside online banking.
If you’re using an eStatement PDF, use the search tool in your PDF viewer and search for “Account number” or “Account No.” Then check whether it’s fully shown or masked.
Open Your Bank App And Find “Account Details”
In many mobile apps, the full number appears under a section named “Account details,” “Account information,” or “Details.” It may be behind a “Show” button or biometric prompt.
In Ireland, some banks teach this through IBAN: the account number can be embedded in the IBAN. Bank of Ireland notes that the last 8 digits of the IBAN are the account number for Republic of Ireland customers. Find your account number
Use A Paper Check If You Have One
If you have paper checks, look at the bottom line. You’ll usually see three sets of numbers. One set is the routing number (bank identifier in the U.S.), one is the account number, and one is the check number. The account number is often in the middle, but the layout can vary by bank.
If the check is from a business account, there may be extra digits, leading zeros, or a different ordering. When in doubt, confirm in your app or statement before you submit any form.
Look At A Direct Deposit Or Transfer Screen You’ve Used Before
If you previously set up direct deposit, bill pay, or an external transfer, your banking site may show a “Saved account” view with the account number masked and a “View details” option. This can be faster than hunting through menus.
If You’re Entering It For A Tax Refund Or Payment
Tax software and tax forms commonly ask for your routing number and your account number for direct deposit. The IRS calls out that you’ll type in both numbers, and it points out that you can usually locate the account number by signing into online banking or contacting your bank. Get your refund faster with direct deposit
Where The Account Number Shows Up By Account Type
Not every account displays the number the same way. Some products were built for card use first, and the account details come later. Others were built for transfers and show everything up front.
Use this table as a map. It covers the places people check most often, plus a few “hidden in plain sight” spots that save time.
| Account Type | Where To Find The Number | Common Gotcha |
|---|---|---|
| Checking (current) account | Statement header; app “Account details”; check bottom line (if you have checks) | Statement may show only last digits unless you open full details |
| Savings account | App/web account details; statement header or account summary page | Some banks label it as “Account ID” or hide it behind “Show” |
| Joint account | Same places as checking/savings; each holder sees the same account number | If your login has limited access, you may see only masked digits |
| Business account | Statements; online banking “Account services” or “Account details” | May include leading zeros; copying without zeros can break a setup |
| Student/teen account | App account details; onboarding email or welcome pack; statements | Some banks restrict what’s visible until identity checks are finished |
| Prepaid card with direct deposit | Card provider app “Direct deposit” section; account details screen | Do not confuse the card number with the account number |
| Online-only bank account | App “Account details”; downloadable statements; profile “Bank info” | Full number may appear only after a biometric or passcode prompt |
| Credit union share draft/checking | Online banking account details; monthly statements | May show a “member number” plus a separate account number |
How To Tell The Account Number From Other Numbers
The confusion usually comes from one of these three mix-ups:
Routing Number Vs. Account Number (Common In The U.S.)
A routing number points to the bank or credit union. The account number points to your personal account. A form that asks for both is telling you it needs the bank identifier and the account identifier.
On paper checks, the routing number is often printed with special characters around it. The account number usually sits next to it. The check number is often shorter and often repeats in the top right corner of the check.
IBAN Vs. Local Account Number (Common In Europe)
An IBAN is a long identifier used for international payments. It contains country code, bank identifiers, and the local account number portion. Some Irish and UK banking screens let you tap your shortened number to reveal the full local details. Bank of Ireland notes that the IBAN can reveal the account number portion for ROI customers. Account number in the Bank of Ireland app
If a form asks for “IBAN,” give the full IBAN. If it asks for “Account number,” give the local account number. If it asks for both, follow the form’s labels and don’t swap them.
Card Number Vs. Account Number
Your debit card number identifies the card. Your account number identifies the bank account. They are not interchangeable. This comes up a lot with prepaid cards that allow wages or refunds to be deposited. Those products often provide routing and account numbers that are separate from the digits on the front of the card.
When The Number Is Hidden Or Partially Masked
If you see only the last 4 digits, you’re not stuck. Banks often mask the number on overview screens to cut down risk when someone glances at your phone or when you’re screen-sharing.
Try The “Show” Or “View Details” Button
Many apps display “••••1234” until you tap “Show.” The tap may trigger Face ID, fingerprint, or a passcode prompt. If your bank app has a search bar, search for “details” or “statements.”
Download A Statement From Inside Online Banking
Statements pulled from inside your logged-in banking portal often show more detail than a screenshot or a notification email. If you already get paperless statements, grab the newest PDF and check the header and the account summary area.
Check Whether You’re In The Right Profile
Some banks offer separate logins for personal and business profiles. If you’re in the wrong profile, you may see account nicknames without full details. Switch to the correct profile and try again.
Contact The Bank Using A Trusted Route
If you still can’t view it, use the phone number on the back of your card or on your bank’s official site. Avoid phone numbers from emails, texts, or search ads that you didn’t expect. When you reach the bank, ask where your account number is shown in their app and whether your account has any restrictions.
Common Scenarios And The Fix That Works
Below are the situations that trip people up the most. The goal is to get you unstuck without trying ten random things.
| Scenario | What To Do | What Not To Do |
|---|---|---|
| You only see the last 4 digits | Open account details and tap “Show,” then pass biometric/passcode | Don’t guess missing digits |
| You have no checks | Use the app/web account details or a statement PDF | Don’t use your debit card number |
| Statement shows masked digits | Open the statement from inside online banking; check the header and details page | Don’t rely on a screenshot of the overview page |
| You’re setting up direct deposit for a refund | Confirm account and routing numbers in online banking before submitting | Don’t type from memory |
| You’re using an IBAN-based form | Use the full IBAN when asked; use the local account number only when asked | Don’t paste an IBAN into an “Account number” box |
| Business account has leading zeros | Copy the number exactly as shown in account details | Don’t drop zeros to “clean it up” |
A Simple Safety Checklist Before You Share Or Enter The Number
Account numbers are used for everyday money movement, so treat them with care. You don’t need to panic, but you should be deliberate.
Match The Account Name And Currency
If you have multiple accounts, confirm you’re using the right one. Look at the account nickname, the currency, and the last digits shown on the overview screen. This cuts down “sent to the wrong place” errors.
Use Copy And Paste When You Can
Typing long strings invites mistakes. Many banking apps let you copy account details. If you must type it, read it out loud once and compare digit-by-digit.
Enter It Only On A Page You Trust
If a link came through a message you didn’t request, don’t use it. Open your bank app directly or type the website address yourself. Scams often rely on look-alike login screens that harvest details.
Know What The Bank Can Help With
If a deposit or transfer fails, your bank can tell you whether the account details you used match their records and whether the account can accept the payment type you’re trying to use. The IRS notes that data entry mistakes can derail direct deposit, so verification before submission is worth the minute it takes. Verify details before submitting
If You Still Can’t Find It, Use This Two-Minute Triage
This is the tight checklist that works when you’re stuck:
- Open your bank app and go to the account you need.
- Tap “Account details” (or a similar label) and look for a “Show” option.
- If it’s not there, download the newest statement from inside online banking and check the header area.
- If you’re in Ireland and you have an IBAN displayed, check whether the bank states that your local account number is part of that IBAN (Bank of Ireland does for ROI customers). Bank of Ireland account number note
- If none of that works, call the number on the back of your card and ask where the full account number is displayed in their app.
Good Habits That Make This Easier Next Time
Once you’ve found the number, you can save yourself time later without storing it in a risky place.
Save A Trusted PDF Statement In A Secure Vault
A password manager that supports secure file storage can hold a statement PDF. That keeps it behind a master password and avoids random downloads folders. If you do this, use a statement that shows the account number in the header and delete older copies you don’t need.
Label Accounts Clearly Inside Your Bank App
Many banks let you rename accounts. A clear name like “Bills account” or “Savings” reduces mix-ups when you’re tired or rushing.
Learn The Bank’s Built-In Help Paths
Some banks publish simple help pages that explain exactly where they display account details. The CFPB also keeps a broad set of consumer education pages for bank accounts and common tasks, which can help you know what to expect from banks in general. CFPB bank accounts and services
One Last Check Before You Hit Submit
Right before you submit a form, compare what you entered with what’s shown in your bank app or statement. Check every digit. If the form asks for an IBAN, give the IBAN. If it asks for an account number, give the local number. If it asks for a routing number and account number, confirm both from your bank’s account details screen.
If you’re choosing where to hold funds, it can help to know the account type and its protections. The FDIC’s consumer pages explain deposit account categories and the basics of deposit insurance at FDIC-insured banks. FDIC deposit account basics
References & Sources
- Bank of Ireland.“Find your account number.”Shows where account numbers appear in the Bank of Ireland app and on statements, including the IBAN note for ROI customers.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS).“Get your refund faster: Tell IRS to direct deposit your refund to one, two, or three accounts.”Explains direct deposit entry of routing and account numbers and notes common ways to locate them.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).“Bank accounts and services.”Background on bank accounts, terms, and consumer-oriented how-to resources for common banking tasks.
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).“Deposit Accounts.”Overview of common deposit accounts and consumer protections at FDIC-insured banks, useful context when managing account details.