Where is the account number on a Canadian cheque?

The account number is the rightmost number on the MICR line at the very bottom of a Canadian cheque. Reading left to right, you will find the transit number, then the institution number (surrounded by the ⑈ symbol), and finally your account number. The account number is typically 7–12 digits depending on your bank.

What is the MICR line at the bottom of a cheque?

MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The MICR line is the row of numbers and symbols printed in special magnetic ink at the bottom of every cheque. It allows automated processing equipment to read cheque information without human entry. The MICR line contains your transit number, institution number, and account number (plus the cheque number on personal cheques).

What is the cheque number on a Canadian cheque?

The cheque number is a sequential number assigned to each cheque in your chequebook, typically 3–6 digits. On Canadian cheques, it usually appears in the upper right corner of the cheque face AND also at the far left of the MICR line at the bottom. It is used for record-keeping — it is not a banking routing or account identifier.

How is a Canadian cheque different from a US cheque in layout?

The information is largely the same, but the order on the MICR line differs. In Canada, the MICR line reads: transit number → institution number → account number. In the US, the ABA routing number (9 digits) appears first, followed by the account number, and then the cheque number. Canadian and US cheques also use different institution identifier systems.

Can I find my account number without a cheque?

Yes. Your account number appears in your online banking account details page, in your bank's mobile app, and on your monthly bank statements. Most banks also let you generate a void cheque image or direct deposit form through their app or online banking that shows your full account number.

Where Is the Account Number on a Cheque in Canada?

When you need to provide banking information for direct deposit, a pre-authorized payment, or a wire transfer, you can pull all three required numbers from the bottom of a Canadian cheque. Knowing which number is which saves time and prevents errors.

The MICR Line: Where All the Numbers Live

The numbers at the very bottom of every Canadian cheque form the MICR line (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). This line is printed in a special font using magnetic ink so that automated banking equipment can process cheques without human data entry.

The MICR line contains three key pieces of information, always in this order from left to right:

⑈ TTTTT ⑈  III  ⑈  AAAAAAA
  Transit   Inst.   Account Number

TTTTT — 5-digit transit (branch) number
III — 3-digit institution number
AAAAAAA — your account number (7–12 digits depending on your bank)

The ⑈ symbol (called a transit symbol) acts as a separator between the numbers.

Where Is Each Number Located?

Account number — rightmost

Your account number is the final (rightmost) number on the MICR line. It uniquely identifies your account at your branch. Account numbers in Canada are typically 7–12 digits long.

BMO accounts: typically 7 digits
RBC accounts: typically 7 digits
TD accounts: typically 7 digits
Scotiabank accounts: typically 7–11 digits
CIBC accounts: typically 7 digits

Transit number — leftmost

The transit number (branch number) is the first 5-digit number on the left side of the MICR line. It identifies which branch of your bank your account belongs to.

Institution number — middle

The institution number is the 3-digit number that appears in the middle, flanked by the ⑈ symbols. It identifies your bank:

Bank	Institution Number
BMO	001
Scotiabank	002
RBC	003
TD	004
National Bank	006
CIBC	010
Tangerine	614
EQ Bank	623

The Cheque Number (Not a Banking Identifier)

Personal cheques also include a cheque number — this is the sequential number printed on the face of the cheque (upper right corner). On the MICR line, the cheque number appears at the far left, before the transit number.

The cheque number is for your own record-keeping. It is not used for routing payments. When providing banking information for direct deposit or wire transfers, you do not include the cheque number.

Diagram: Reading a Canadian Cheque

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  [Your Name]                              Cheque No. 0042       │
│  [Your Address]                                                  │
│                                           Date: ______________   │
│  Pay to the order of: _______________________  $ _________      │
│  _____________________________________________________ Dollars   │
│                                                                  │
│  Bank Name & Branch Address               ________________       │
│                                           (Signature)            │
│─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│  ⑈ 0042 ⑈  00152  ⑈  004  ⑈  1234567                          │
│    Chq#   Transit   Inst.  Account Number                       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

(Numbers shown are illustrative only)

Reading the MICR line:

0042 — cheque number (for your records, not a banking identifier)
00152 — transit number (identifies your branch)
004 — institution number (identifies TD Canada Trust)
1234567 — your account number

What Is a Void Cheque?

A void cheque is a personal cheque with “VOID” written across it in large letters. It cannot be used to make a payment, but it contains all the MICR information (transit, institution, and account numbers) that a payer needs to set up direct deposit or pre-authorized payments.

If you don’t have a chequebook, you can generate a void cheque image or direct deposit form through your bank’s online banking or mobile app — these contain the same information and are accepted by most employers and the CRA.

Finding Your Account Number Without a Cheque

If you do not have a personal chequebook:

Online banking: Log in and go to Account Details — your account number is listed
Mobile app: Navigate to your account → Account Details
Bank statement: Your account number appears at the top of your monthly statement
Generate a direct deposit form: Available through most bank apps — a PDF with all your banking numbers pre-filled
Call your bank: Customer service can confirm your account number after identity verification
Visit a branch: Bring photo ID; a teller can provide the information