What Information You Need to Give for an ACH Payment
The core information ACH requires
An ACH payment moves money from one bank account to another through the automated clearing house network. To start that movement, you need to give your bank or the person requesting the payment five pieces of information: the recipient's name, their bank routing number, their account number, the account type (checking or savings), and the amount.
That is the minimum. Your bank will not process the payment without all five. If you are paying a bill online or setting up a recurring payment, the website usually asks for these in a form. If you are sending money to a person, you may need to ask them directly for their routing and account numbers—most people do not have these memorized.
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank or credit union. The account number is unique to that specific account at that bank. Together, they tell the ACH network exactly where the money is going. Without either one, the payment cannot leave your account.
Key Takeaways
- You must provide the recipient's name, routing number, account number, account type, and the dollar amount for any ACH payment to go through.
- The routing number identifies the bank; the account number identifies the specific account within that bank.
- If you are paying a bill through a company's website, they usually ask for this information in an online form and store it securely.
- If you are sending money to a person, ask them for their routing and account numbers directly—they can find these on their checks or by calling their bank.
- ACH payments typically take one to three business days to arrive, so plan ahead if you have a due date.
Where to find routing and account numbers
Your own routing number and account number appear on the bottom left of any check you have. The routing number is the first nine digits; the account number follows. If you do not have checks, call your bank or log into your online banking portal—both will show you these numbers.
If you need someone else's routing and account numbers, ask them directly. They can find this information the same way: on a check, by calling their bank, or through their online banking. Do not guess or use a number you think might be right. A wrong routing or account number will send the money to the wrong place, and recovering it takes time.
Some banks also print routing and account numbers on debit cards or statements, though not always. The check is the most reliable source if the person has one.
Information required for bill payments versus person-to-person transfers
Bill payments and transfers to another person use the same ACH system, but the information you provide may be formatted differently depending on who is receiving it.
When you pay a bill through a company's website—your utility, credit card issuer, or insurance company—you enter your own bank information (routing and account number), not the company's. The company already knows where to send the money. You are telling the ACH network where to pull the money from. The company then processes your payment on their end.
When you transfer money to another person through your bank's website or app, you enter their routing and account numbers. You are telling the ACH network where to send the money. Your bank already knows where to pull it from—your account.
What happens if you provide wrong information
If the routing number is wrong, the ACH network will reject the payment and send it back to your bank. You will see it returned to your account within one to three business days, and you can try again with the correct number. This is the best-case scenario.
If the account number is wrong but the routing number is correct, the money may go to someone else's account at that bank. This is harder to fix. You will need to contact your bank and file a claim, and the receiving bank will need to contact the person who received the money by mistake and ask them to return it. This process can take weeks.
If both the routing and account numbers are wrong, the payment will likely be rejected. Always double-check both numbers before you submit the payment, especially if you are sending money to a person rather than paying a bill through an established company.
Additional information some payments require
For most routine ACH payments, the five core pieces of information are enough. Some situations ask for more.
If you are setting up a recurring payment—the same amount every month—your bank may ask for the date you want the payment to go out each month and how long you want it to continue. If you are paying a bill, the company may ask for an account number or reference number so they know which bill the payment is for. If you are sending money internationally through ACH (which is rare; most international transfers use wire), you may need additional details like a SWIFT code.
For most household bills and person-to-person transfers within the United States, you will not need anything beyond the five core pieces. If a form asks for something you do not understand, ask the company or your bank what it is for before you fill it in.
How to protect your routing and account numbers
Your routing and account numbers are not secret in the way a password is. Your routing number is public—it identifies your bank, and anyone can find it. Your account number is more sensitive, but it alone cannot drain your account. Someone would need both your routing number and account number to initiate an ACH payment from your account.
Still, do not share these numbers casually. Only provide them to companies and people you trust, and only when you are initiating the payment yourself. If someone calls you and asks for your routing and account numbers, hang up. Your bank will never call and ask for this information.
When you enter your information on a website, make sure the site is secure. Look for "https://" at the beginning of the web address and a lock icon in your browser. Reputable companies encrypt this information so it cannot be intercepted.
Timing and what to expect after you submit
Once you submit an ACH payment with all the correct information, your bank will debit your account immediately or within one business day. The money does not arrive at the recipient's bank right away. ACH payments take one to three business days to clear, depending on when you submit them and how the receiving bank processes them.
If you submit a payment on a Friday evening, it may not leave your account until Monday, and it may not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday. If you have a bill due on a specific date, submit your payment at least three business days early to be safe.
You can usually cancel an ACH payment if you catch it before it has been processed—typically within a few hours of submission. After that, you cannot cancel it. If you need to stop a recurring payment, contact your bank or the company collecting the payment and ask them to cancel it. Do this as soon as you know you want to stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone take money from my account if they only have my routing number?
No. They would need both your routing number and your account number to initiate an ACH payment from your account. Your routing number alone identifies your bank but not your specific account. However, do not share either number with people you do not trust.
What if I give the wrong account number and the money goes to someone else?
Contact your bank immediately and file a claim. Your bank will work with the receiving bank to retrieve the money. This process can take several weeks. The receiving bank will contact the person who received the money and ask them to return it. If they refuse, it becomes more complicated, which is why double-checking before you submit is so important.
Do I need to provide my account number when I pay a bill online?
No. When you pay a bill through a company's website, you provide your own bank's routing and account number so the company can pull the payment from your account. You do not provide the company's account number. The company already has that set up on their end.
How long does an ACH payment take if I submit it on a weekend?
ACH payments submitted on weekends or holidays are processed the next business day. So a payment submitted Saturday will be processed Monday and may arrive at the recipient's bank by Wednesday or Thursday. Plan for three business days to be safe.
Can I change an ACH payment after I submit it?
You can cancel it within a few hours of submission, before your bank processes it. After that, you cannot change it. If you need to stop a recurring payment, contact your bank or the company collecting the payment as soon as possible.