Cheques feel outdated in 2026, but landlords, government agencies, lawyers, and some businesses still require them for specific transactions. The format has not changed in decades, and writing one correctly takes about 30 seconds once you understand the six fields. The most important rule: if the numeric amount in the box and the written-out dollar amount in words do not match, Canadian banks use the written words as the legally binding figure. That single rule is responsible for most cheque-writing errors, because people assume the number in the box controls. It does not.
Two other practical rules worth knowing before you start: always use a pen, never a pencil; and fill in the payee name first, before the amount. A blank payee line on a signed cheque can be completed by anyone who gets hold of it. A blank amount field on a signed cheque is less dangerous — but a pencil-written amount can be erased and altered, which is a form of cheque fraud. Pen and a completed payee name eliminate both risks.
How to Write a Cheque: Step by Step
| Field | Location on Cheque | What to Write | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Top right corner | Today’s date, or a future date for post-dating | April 22, 2026 |
| Pay to the order of | First long line | Full legal name of the person or business | Jane Smith |
| Amount (numbers) | Box on the right side | Dollar amount with two decimal places | $1,250.00 |
| Amount (words) | Second long line | Written amount, cents as a fraction of 100 | One thousand two hundred fifty and 00/100 |
| Memo | Bottom left (optional) | Purpose of payment | April rent |
| Signature | Bottom right | Your signature as it appears on your bank records | [Your signature] |
Fill in these fields in the order listed above — payee first, amount second, signature last. Signing last means you have verified everything before authorizing the payment. If you discover an error after signing, void the cheque (write “VOID” across the entire face in large letters) and start over with a fresh cheque. Do not use correction fluid or cross out and initial errors — most banks will reject an altered cheque.
Writing the Amount in Words
The written words line is the one that catches people. The format is consistent: dollar amount in full words, then “and”, then the cents expressed as a fraction of 100. For a round number with no cents, write “and 00/100” — this signals no cents are owed and prevents anyone from writing in a cent amount later.
| Numeric Amount | Written Amount |
|---|---|
| $50.00 | Fifty and 00/100 |
| $125.50 | One hundred twenty-five and 50/100 |
| $1,000.00 | One thousand and 00/100 |
| $1,250.75 | One thousand two hundred fifty and 75/100 |
| $3,500.00 | Three thousand five hundred and 00/100 |
| $10,000.00 | Ten thousand and 00/100 |
| $25,350.25 | Twenty-five thousand three hundred fifty and 25/100 |
After writing the amount in words, draw a horizontal line from the end of your text to the end of the printed line. This prevents someone from inserting additional words — for example, adding “teen” after “four” to turn four thousand into fourteen thousand. This line-drawing practice is a standard fraud prevention measure. Some cheques have “DOLLARS” pre-printed at the right end of the line; write up to that word.
Common Cheque-Writing Mistakes
Most cheque errors are preventable. The most dangerous mistake — leaving the payee line blank on a signed cheque — can result in the cheque being made out to anyone. The most common mistake — writing the words and numbers in different amounts — results in the bank paying the written-word amount, which may not be what you intended.
| Mistake | Why It Is a Problem | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Using pencil | Can be erased and the amount altered | Always use pen (blue or black ink) |
| Numbers and words do not match | Bank pays the written-word amount as the legal figure | Double-check both fields before signing |
| No signature | Cheque is not a valid negotiable instrument without it | Always sign last, after verifying everything |
| Wrong date | Stale-dated cheques (over 6 months) may be refused | Use today’s date unless intentionally post-dating |
| Blank payee line | Anyone who receives the cheque can write in their name | Always write the payee name first |
| No cents notation | Could be altered to add a cent amount | Write “and 00/100” or “.00” explicitly |
| Spelling errors in payee name | May be rejected if the name does not match the recipient’s ID | Verify the exact legal name before writing |
| Not recording in a register | Lose track of outstanding cheques; overdraft risk | Note cheque number, date, payee, and amount each time |
| Pre-signing blank cheques | Anyone who finds or steals them can complete them | Never pre-sign blank cheques |
| Using correction fluid | Most banks will refuse an altered cheque | Void and start over with a new cheque |
If you make a mistake, the correct response is always to void the cheque by writing “VOID” in large letters across the entire face and start with a new one. Keep voided cheques in your register — do not shred them immediately, as they document that the cheque number was cancelled.
Types of Cheques in Canada
Personal cheques from your chequing account work for most everyday situations. For large transactions where the recipient needs a guarantee that the funds exist and cannot be reversed, you will need a certified cheque or bank draft instead. If you only need to share your banking information — for payroll direct deposit or pre-authorized payments — a void cheque or a downloaded direct deposit form from your online banking serves that purpose without risking an actual payment.
| Cheque Type | What It Is | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal cheque | Drawn from your own chequing account | Cost of chequebook ($25–$50 for 50–100 cheques) | Rent, personal payments |
| Certified cheque | Bank verifies and holds the funds | $15–$25 | Large purchases requiring a payment guarantee |
| Bank draft | Bank is the payer; prepaid instrument | $8–$15 | Real estate deposits, car purchases, large transactions |
| Post-dated cheque | Personal cheque with a future date written | Same as personal cheque | Rent payments given in advance |
| Void cheque | Cancelled cheque used to share banking info | None | Setting up direct deposit or pre-authorized payments |
Cheque Security Features
Modern Canadian cheques include several built-in fraud prevention features. These are set by the Canadian Payments Association and are present on all cheques printed by regulated Canadian printers.
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| MICR line (magnetic ink) | Machine-readable numbers at the bottom for automated processing |
| Watermark | Embedded in the paper; not reproducible by photocopying |
| Microprinting | Tiny text visible under magnification; reveals forgeries |
| Chemical sensitivity | Paper reacts visibly to bleach or other tampering chemicals |
| Void pantograph | “VOID” appears automatically if the cheque is photocopied |
| Sequential numbering | Allows tracking of individual cheque numbers in your register |
These features are why ordering cheques through your bank or a regulated third-party cheque printer matters. Printing your own cheques on regular paper, even with the correct MICR numbers, will fail the fraud-detection tests banks run during processing.
How to Order Cheques in Canada
| Source | Cost (50–100 cheques) | How to Order |
|---|---|---|
| TD | $30–$60 | Online banking, branch, or phone |
| RBC | $30–$60 | Online banking or branch |
| BMO | $25–$50 | Online banking or branch |
| Scotiabank | $30–$55 | Online banking or branch |
| CIBC | $30–$55 | Online banking or branch |
| Tangerine | $50 (200 cheques) | Online banking |
| Simplii Financial | Free (limited quantity) | Online banking |
| Third-party (e.g., ASAP Cheques) | $20–$40 | Online order |
If you write cheques rarely — a handful per year for rent or government filings — ordering from a third-party printer like ASAP Cheques is meaningfully cheaper than the Big 5 bank prices. Simplii Financial includes a limited number of free cheques with its no-fee chequing account, which is the best option if you are already a Simplii customer. All regulated Canadian cheque printers produce cheques that meet Payments Canada security standards.