Do Credit Cards Have Routing Numbers? (2024)

5 Min Read | Published:April 16, 2024

Credit cards don’t use routing numbers like checking and savings accounts do. Instead, credit card transactions use credit card numbers.

Do Credit Cards Have Routing Numbers? (2)

This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.

At-A-Glance

A routing number is a nine-digit identifier for a bank or financial institution.

Credit cards do not have routing numbers. Checking and savings accounts do.

Card numbers, expiration dates, and Card Verification Value (CVV) codes are identifiers for credit cards.

You might be wondering if your credit card has a routing number. The short answer is no, it doesn’t.

Credit cards have an account number that’s displayed on the card, an expiration date, and a Card Verification Value (CVV) code. Debit cards, on the other hand, are attached to a bank account, which does have a routing number. In this article, we’ll explain what a routing number is, why it’s used, and where you can find it.

What Is a Routing Number?

A routing number is a nine-digit unique identifier used by banks and other financial institutions in the United States. It ensures that fund transfers between financial institutions are routed correctly. They are not used outside of the United States. For international money transfers, international bank account numbers (IBANs) or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) codes may be used.1

The system was invented in 1910 by the American Bankers Association (ABA) to help make it easier to process paper checks between banks.2 Initially, it was a system to help the ABA process checks, which is why the identifiers are also called ABA routing numbers or ABA numbers. These monikers all refer to the same nine-digit code.

Banks are given routing numbers based on the states in which they operate. So banks in different states will have different routing numbers.

If you have a checking account, your bank’s routing number is displayed in the bottom left-hand corner of your checks. The numbers following that nine-digit identifier are your account number. The combination of those two elements accurately identifies the financial institution and the individual account that is either sending or receiving money.

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Why Don’t Credit Cards Use Routing Numbers?

A routing number identifies a specific financial institution. It’s an essential identifier when transferring money from one bank account to another. That’s not what happens when you use your credit card. With a credit card transaction, you’re borrowing funds against your credit limit, and this transaction will be processed differently. The credit card number helps to track your transactions and ensure they end up on your monthly bill and helps the card processors identify the financial institution that will settle the payment.

Credit Card Identification

Credit cards don’t have routing numbers. The unique identifier for a credit card is a number that’s typically fifteen to twenty-one digits long displayed on the front or back of the card. The first number in the sequence identifies the credit card provider. For instance, American Express credit card numbers (CCN) are fifteen digits starting with a 34 or 37.

Another identifier on your credit card is the expiration date. Most merchants will ask for this when you make a purchase over the phone and check it when you buy something in person. An expired credit card will typically register as “invalid” if you try to swipe it or make an online purchase with it. Your credit card provider should notify you when your card is set to expire.

The third identifier on a credit card is the card verification value (CVV) code. On most cards, it’s a three-digit security code printed on the back of the card. American Express uses a four-digit code printed on the front of the card. This feature, combined with chip technology used to encrypt user data, helps to ensure credit card transactions are safe and secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Routing numbers are nine-digit numbers that identify financial institutions. They are also called routing transit numbers or American Bankers Association (ABA) routing numbers.3

If you’re looking for your bank’s routing number, you can find it by checking your bank statement. Alternatively, you can look at one of your checks. The routing number is nine digits long and can usually be found in the left-hand corner.

The first number in the sequence identifies the payment network. This will be a 3 for American Express, 4 for Visa, 5 for Mastercard, and 6 for Discover). The numbers from one to six in the long number on the card identify the card payment network as well as the card issuer, sometimes called the issue identifier number (IIN). The remaining digits identify the cardholder.4

The Takeaway

Credit cards don’t have routing numbers because they don’t need them. Routing numbers are nine-digit relevant identifiers used by banks and other financial institutions for payments. Credit card numbers, on the other hand, contain information about the card issuer, payment network, and cardholder.

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Kevin D. Flynnis a financial services provider, business coach, and financial writer. He lives in Leominster, Massachusetts with his wife Evelyn, two cats, and ten wonderful grandchildren.

All Credit Intelcontent is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.

Do Credit Cards Have Routing Numbers? (2024)

FAQs

Do Credit Cards Have Routing Numbers? ›

Credit cards don't have routing numbers because they don't need them. Routing numbers are nine-digit relevant identifiers used by banks and other financial institutions for payments. Credit card numbers, on the other hand, contain information about the card issuer, payment network, and cardholder.

Can I get a routing number for a credit card? ›

Credit cards don't have routing numbers as they're not needed for credit transactions. Instead of money being sent directly to or from your bank account, your credit card issuer processes the payment using a separate system.

Do credit cards have bank account numbers? ›

Credit cards don't have routing numbers as banks do. But credit cards do have account numbers to identify your account. Routing numbers aren't identifying information, but account numbers do. Protect your credit card account number any time you use your credit card to cut down on your risk of theft and fraud.

Where is the routing number on my card? ›

Debit cards and credit cards don't use routing numbers. The financial institution links the ATM debit card to your bank account through its banking system.

How do I find my account number on my credit card? ›

Your Credit Card account number is generally situated on the front of your card, either embossed or printed alongside your name and expiration date. Typically, it consists of 16 digits arranged in sets of four. You can locate your account number by examining either the front or back of your Credit Card.

How do I find my routing number for credit one? ›

The Credit One Bank routing number is 122402133. This number is used for processing direct deposits, bill payments, and other automated transfers. If you need to confirm the routing number for specific transactions or have any other questions, it's best to contact Credit One Bank by phone at (877) 628-1610.

Do Chase credit cards have account and routing numbers? ›

Chase credit card routing numbers do not exist. Routing numbers are for bank accounts, and should not be mistaken for the account numbers and security codes associated with credit cards. A routing number is essentially a bank's electronic address.

Does Capital One have a routing number? ›

You will see a new routing number (031176110) associated with your account.

What is the routing number for American Express credit card? ›

The American Express National Bank routing number for your Savings account is 124085066.

Why does my credit card not have an account number? ›

Credit cards do not have account numbers. The long credit card number on the front is the number to use for your credit card account and this is the number you need to use to make payments or to contact your bank.

What is the routing number 101089742? ›

101089742 is a routing number used for PATHWARD, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION in SD. This routing number supports ACH transfers.

What is the routing number 256074974? ›

Navy Federal's Routing/ABA Number (256074974) Navy Federal's address: 820 Follin Lane SE, Vienna, VA 22180.

Which bank routing is 072403473? ›

072403473 is a routing number used for HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK in OH.

Can you get a routing number for a credit card? ›

So, credit cards do not have routing numbers. But they do have unique card numbers that serve a similar purpose in transactions. Understanding the differences between routing numbers and credit card numbers can help you better protect your finances and make informed financial decisions.

Which is the bank account number in a credit card? ›

The term primary account number refers to a 14-, 15-, 16-, or even up to 19-digit number that serves as a unique identifier on credit cards, debit cards, and other types of payment cards. Also known as a payment card number, it is typically either embossed or laser-printed on the front of the card.

Do Capital One credit cards have account numbers? ›

The remaining five digits of the BIN tell us the card is tied to the Visa payment network and is issued by Capital One. The first nine digits following the BIN represent the account number. The final digit is known as a check digit or checksum, which verifies the card number has been accurately used in a transaction.

What is the least cost routing credit card? ›

What is least-cost routing? When a customer makes a payment with their dual-network debit card, the merchant may choose to send the transaction via the debit network that costs them the least to accept. This is known as 'least-cost routing' or 'merchant-choice routing'.

What is my Capital One credit card routing number? ›

No, Capital One does not have any credit card routing numbers. A Capital One credit card, or any credit card for that matter, does not need a routing number. Each credit card has its own card number (usually 16 digits) and other security features for electronic transactions.

Does a Wells Fargo credit card have a routing number? ›

There is no Wells Fargo credit card routing number because credit cards do not use routing numbers. Routing numbers are specifically for bank accounts, and they serve as an electronic address for the bank. They're used alongside account numbers to send and receive funds between those accounts.

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