The specific details your employer or payer needs from you

Your employer or the organization sending you money needs four pieces of information to set up direct deposit: your routing number, your account number, your account type (checking or savings), and your full name as it appears on the account. These details tell the banking system exactly where to send your money and whose account it belongs to.

You do not need to provide your PIN, password, or full card number. You also do not need to authorize anyone to withdraw money from your account — direct deposit is a one-way transfer into your account only. If someone asks for information beyond these four items, stop and verify you are dealing with your actual employer or payer.

Key Takeaways

  • Your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank and branch; your account number is unique to your account and is usually 10 to 12 digits.
  • You can find both numbers on the bottom left of any check you have, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.
  • Account type matters because some accounts cannot receive direct deposits, so confirm yours can before you provide the information.
  • Your name must match your account exactly as registered with the bank, or the deposit may be rejected or delayed.
  • Never share your PIN, online banking password, or full debit card number when setting up direct deposit.

Where to find your routing number

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank and branch. The fastest way to find it is to look at the bottom left corner of any check you have — the first nine digits are your routing number. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or settings; most banks display it there.

You can also call your bank's customer service number (on the back of your debit card or on their website) and ask for your routing number. Have your account number ready when you call. Some employers or payers also have a routing number lookup tool on their website where you can enter your bank name and it will show you the correct number.

Where to find your account number

Your account number is unique to your specific account and is usually 10 to 12 digits long. Like your routing number, it appears on the bottom of your checks — it is the middle set of numbers, between the routing number and the check number on the far right.

If you do not have checks, log into your online banking portal and look for account details, account summary, or account information. The account number is almost always displayed there. You can also call your bank and provide your name and routing number; they will give you your account number over the phone. Do not share your full account number with anyone except your actual employer or a payer you initiated contact with.

Confirming your account type

Direct deposit works with both checking accounts and savings accounts, but you need to tell your employer or payer which one you have. Some accounts — particularly certain savings accounts, money market accounts, or accounts with restrictions — cannot receive direct deposits, so it is worth confirming yours can before you submit the information.

Log into your bank account online or call your bank and ask whether your account type accepts direct deposits. Most checking accounts do. If your account does not, you may need to open a different account or have the deposit sent to a different account you own. Your bank can walk you through this in one call.

Making sure your name matches exactly

The name you provide must match your account registration at the bank exactly — including middle initials, hyphens, or any other characters. If you registered your account as "Mary-Jane Smith" but you tell your employer "Mary Jane Smith," the deposit may be rejected or held up while the bank tries to match it.

Check your bank statement or log into your account online to see how your name is registered. If you have recently married, divorced, or changed your name legally, make sure your bank account reflects the current registration. If it does not, contact your bank and update it before you provide your information to your employer or payer.

What information to never share

Do not provide your PIN, your online banking password, your full debit card number, or your Social Security number when setting up direct deposit. Your employer or payer needs only the four items listed above: routing number, account number, account type, and name.

If someone claiming to represent your employer or bank asks for any of these protected details, do not give them. Hang up or close the message and contact your employer or bank directly using a phone number or website you know is legitimate. Scammers sometimes pose as payroll departments or banks to steal banking credentials.

Submitting your information safely

Most employers collect direct deposit information through a find payroll portal, a paper form you fill out in person, or a form sent through your company email. If your employer asks you to submit banking details, use only the official channel they provide — not email, text message, or a link from an unsolicited message.

If you are setting up direct deposit for a government benefit or payment, use only the official website or phone number for that program. Do not click links in emails or texts claiming to be from Social Security, the IRS, unemployment, or any other agency. Go directly to the official website or call the number on your benefit statement.

What happens after you submit your information

Once you submit your routing number, account number, account type, and name, your employer or payer will send a test deposit — usually a small amount like $0.01 or $1 — to confirm the information is correct. This test deposit typically arrives within one to three business days. You will see it in your account and may be asked to confirm the amount to finalize the setup.

After you confirm the test deposit, your regular payments will begin on the schedule your employer or payer uses. Direct deposits typically arrive on payday or the date specified by the program. If a deposit does not arrive on the expected date, contact your employer or payer first to confirm they sent it; if they did, contact your bank to check whether it is pending or if there was an error in the account information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up direct deposit to a savings account instead of checking?

Yes, most banks allow direct deposits to savings accounts. Tell your employer or payer that your account type is savings rather than checking. Some savings accounts have restrictions on how many withdrawals you can make per month, but deposits are not limited. Confirm with your bank that your specific savings account accepts direct deposits before you submit the information.

What if I give my employer the wrong routing number?

If the routing number is wrong, the deposit will be sent to the wrong bank and will eventually be returned to your employer. Your employer will then resubmit it with the correct information, which delays your payment by several days. Contact your employer as soon as you realize the error and provide the correct routing number so they can correct it in their system.

Do I need to update my direct deposit information if I switch banks?

Yes. When you open an account at a new bank, you will have a new routing number and likely a new account number. You must contact your employer or payer and provide the new information. If you do not, deposits will continue going to your old account at your previous bank. Some banks can forward deposits to your new account for a short time, but you should not rely on this — update your information as soon as your new account is open.

Is it safe to give my routing and account number to my employer?

Yes. Your routing number and account number are meant to be shared for direct deposit and other legitimate transfers. They are not secret like a password or PIN. However, only share them with your actual employer through official channels, not with someone who contacted you unsolicited claiming to be from payroll or your bank.

What if my bank account name has special characters or accents?

Provide your name exactly as it appears on your bank account registration, including accents, hyphens, or other characters. If your bank registered your account with accents but your employer's system cannot accept them, contact your bank first to see if they can update your account registration to a version without accents. If not, contact your employer's payroll department to ask how they handle special characters in their system.