
The routing number is often easy to identify because it's always nine digits in length. It will start the longer MICR number that includes the account number and check number. On most paper checks, the routing number will be found on the bottom of the check, in the left-hand corner. How to Find the Credit Union Routing Number on a Check Together, these numbers offer a unique identifier for any payment made with a paper check. The MICR number typically contains three pieces of information: the routing number for the financial institution, the account number, and the individual check number.

This set of numbers uses specialized magnetic ink and a unique font to make these numbers more readable for both humans and sorting machines, and to increase the difficulty of printing counterfeit checks. The Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) number is a long series of numbers printed at the bottom of each check. If you're unfamiliar with the different sets of numbers featured on your checks, here's a quick guide to help you identify the account number, routing number, and other key information found on a paper check for a credit union account. But consumers still have an occasional need for these checks-and it's important to know how to read paper checks to find the information used to process each payment. Today, debit cards, along with the ease of making digital payments such as eChecks, have greatly reduced the need for paper checks in day-to-day life. Paper checks used to be the only method of making payments from your checking account.

How to Find Your Account Number on a Check
