Your university emails you a direct deposit form for your stipend. Your family needs your banking details to send money from home. Your new employer asks for your routing number.
Three different situations, three slightly different sets of numbers — and if you are new to US banking, none of this is obvious. This guide explains each one in plain English, when you need each, where to find them, and what happens if you use the wrong one.
The Three Numbers and What Each One Does
Routing Number — Your Bank’s US Address
A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank within the United States. Every US bank has one. Some large banks have multiple routing numbers — one per region — which is why Chase in California has a different routing number than Chase in New York.
Routing numbers are used for domestic transfers — moving money between two US bank accounts. They are used for direct deposit, ACH transfers, domestic wire transfers, and bill payments within the US.
Think of it as the postal code for your bank. It tells the US banking system which institution to send the money to.
When you need it: Setting up direct deposit for your on-campus paycheck or stipend. Paying bills electronically from your US account. Receiving domestic transfers from another US account.
Account Number — Your Personal Account Identifier
Your account number identifies your specific account within your bank. Unlike the routing number — which is the same for everyone at your bank in the same region — your account number is unique to you.
Account numbers are typically 8 to 12 digits and are assigned when you open your account. You find yours in your bank’s mobile app under account details, or at the bottom of a paper check — it is the number immediately to the right of the routing number.
When you need it: Any time you give someone your banking details alongside your routing number — direct deposit forms, wire transfer instructions, and payment setup. You always provide both the routing number and the account number together.
SWIFT Code — Your Bank’s International Address
A SWIFT code is composed of either eight or 11 characters combining letters and numbers. It contains information about the bank’s name, country, and specific branch or location. This coding system helps ensure that money sent internationally reaches the correct financial institution, regardless of geographic location.
SWIFT codes are required for international transfers. If you want to send money from your US bank account to someone abroad, your bank will request the recipient’s SWIFT code to accurately identify the correct bank overseas. Similarly, if you are receiving funds from outside the US, you need to provide your bank’s SWIFT code to the sender.
When you need it: Giving your family or anyone abroad the information they need to send money to your US account. Your family needs your bank’s SWIFT code, your routing number, and your account number to wire money to you from another country.
The Rule That Covers Every Situation
SWIFT codes are used for international transfers and routing numbers are used for domestic transfers within the US. If you use the wrong code for a transfer, the transaction will typically fail and the payment will be returned to you — sometimes with a fee attached.
The decision is always the same: is the money moving between two US accounts, or is it crossing an international border?
- US to US → routing number plus account number
- Another country to your US account → SWIFT code plus routing number plus account number
- Your US account to another country → recipient’s SWIFT code plus their account details
SWIFT Codes and Routing Numbers for Major US Banks
These are the verified codes for the banks most commonly used by F-1 students. Always confirm the current routing number for your specific state in your bank’s app — some large banks use different routing numbers by region.
| Bank | Routing Number (Wire) | SWIFT Code |
|---|---|---|
| Chase | 021000021 | CHASUS33 |
| Bank of America | 026009593 | BOFAUS3N |
| Wells Fargo | 121000248 | WFBIUS6S |
| SoFi | 084106768 | Verify at sofi.com |
| Chime | 101019186 | Verify at chime.com |
| Current | Verify in app | Verify in app |
One important distinction for Chase and Bank of America: these banks have different routing numbers for ACH transfers versus wire transfers. The numbers above are for wire transfers. If you are setting up direct deposit or a standard ACH payment, log into your bank’s app and confirm which routing number applies to that specific transaction type.
Does the US Use IBAN?
No. US banks do not use IBANs. The US banking system relies on ABA routing numbers to identify banks and separate account numbers to identify accounts. If a foreign bank or payment platform asks for your IBAN and you have a US account, provide your routing number and account number instead, along with your bank’s SWIFT code for international transfers.
This comes up most often when a European university, European employer, or European payment platform sends you a form that has an IBAN field. Write your routing number and account number in that field and note separately that US banks do not use IBANs.
Where to Find Each Number
Routing number and account number: Open your bank’s mobile app and navigate to account details. Both numbers are displayed there. Alternatively, the bottom-left corner of any paper check shows your routing number first, followed by your account number.
SWIFT code: Also in your bank’s mobile app under account details, or on any paper bank statement. You can also search «[bank name] SWIFT code» directly — these are not confidential and are publicly available.
The One Mistake That Costs the Most
Giving your family only your account number when they want to send money from abroad. Your account number alone is not enough — without the routing number and SWIFT code, the transfer either fails or gets stuck at an intermediary bank.
The complete set of information your family needs to wire money to your US account is: your full legal name exactly as it appears on your account, your bank’s SWIFT code, your routing number for wire transfers, and your account number. Send these four details together in a single message and the transfer has everything it needs to arrive without delays.
This article is for informational purposes only. Routing numbers and SWIFT codes are publicly available bank identifiers. Always verify current codes directly in your bank’s mobile app or official website before initiating any transfer, as banks occasionally update these details.
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