How to Find an MICR Number

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) has been in use since the 1950s. This technology has increased the speed of check processing through financial institutions. Using special MICR fonts and MICR toner, characters are printed on checks that are readable by a specific machine. These special MICR characters allow for rapid check clearing.

Things You'll Need

• Check

Instructions

1. Find the row of digits and characters at the bottom of your check. This code is written in the MICR font, and represents different components of the specific check.

2. Locate the first nine digits which represent the bank routing number. The bank routing number represents the specific bank that will disperse the funds.

3. Look in the upper right hand corner of the check to get the check number, which is not written in the MICR font. The final characters at the bottom of the check are the matching MICR characters of the check number.

4. Locate the digits in between the routing number and the check number. This is the account number.

References

• What is MICR?
• Checkwriter: MICR
• Stopchex: How to Find Your Checking Account Number on a Check