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.

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.

How do I find the routing number on my credit card? ›

Since credit cards don't pull money directly from your bank, they don't use routing numbers. However, credit card companies do need specific information to process transactions, such as your credit card account number and the identity of your card issuer. This information is contained in the credit card number.

Do credit cards have bank account numbers? ›

Account number – on a credit card, your account number is included as part of the long credit card number. On a debit card though, this is shown as a separate number underneath the long number.

What is the routing number on a Chase card? ›

Chase routing number
StateChase routing number
California322271627
Nevada322271627
New Jersey021202337
Colorado102001017
20 more rows

Do debit cards have routing numbers? ›

No. The number on an ATM debit card is not a routing number. 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.

Does Capital One have a routing number? ›

Capital One Routing Numbers

Capital One has two separate routing numbers for their two banking entities — Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N.A. Capital One banks use ACH routing numbers to process debits and payments between U.S. bank accounts.

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 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.

Is my credit card a bank account? ›

Credit cards are also issued by banks but require a separate application process. You don't have to keep an account at that bank to apply. Rather than being linked to a bank account, credit cards have a credit line that the user can borrow against, usually up to a certain preset limit.

What bank has the routing number 028000121? ›

028000121 is a routing number used for JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA in FL.

What bank is routing number 111000614? ›

111000614 is a routing number used for JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA in FL.

What bank is routing number 267084131? ›

267084131 is a routing number used for JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA in FL.

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

Does a Credit Card Have a Routing Number? Credit cards (and other payment cards) don't have routing numbers. RTNs are associated with banks and bank accounts, not payment cards. People tend to mix up routing numbers with account numbers, which identify specific cardholders within the institution.

Which 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.

What bank routing number is 072403473? ›

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

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.

How do I find my routing or account number? ›

What are the numbers on a check? At the bottom of a check, you will see three groups of numbers. The first group is your routing number, the second is your account number and the third is your check number.

Where to find the routing number for Discover credit card? ›

There is no Discover Card routing number. No credit card has one. And that's because credit card numbers and security codes serve the same purpose as a routing number on a bank account.

Where can I find my account number for my Capital One credit card? ›

On your card: The rule is simple and it applies to all credit cards. Look at the credit card number on the front. Skip past the first 6 numbers on your card and exclude the last number on your card. The remaining numbers will be your account number.

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