Canadian Bank Routing Numbers
A Canadian bank routing number identifies your specific bank and branch. Every bank account in Canada has a routing number composed of two parts:
| Component | Digits | What It Identifies | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit number | 5 digits | Your specific bank branch | 10002 |
| Institution number | 3 digits | Your bank | 004 (TD) |
| Combined routing number | 8 digits | Your bank + branch | 10002-004 |
You need your routing number for direct deposit, pre-authorized payments, wire transfers, tax refunds from CRA, and interbank transfers.
Institution Numbers for All Major Canadian Banks
Every Canadian bank has a unique 3-digit institution number assigned by Payments Canada. This number never changes regardless of which branch you use:
Big Five Banks
| Bank | Institution Number | Routing Number Format |
|---|---|---|
| BMO (Bank of Montreal) | 001 | XXXXX-001 |
| Scotiabank | 002 | XXXXX-002 |
| RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) | 003 | XXXXX-003 |
| TD Bank (Toronto-Dominion) | 004 | XXXXX-004 |
| CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) | 010 | XXXXX-010 |
Other Major Banks
| Bank | Institution Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Bank of Canada | 006 | Quebec-focused; 6th largest bank |
| Laurentian Bank | 039 | Quebec-based |
| HSBC Canada | 016 | Acquired by RBC in 2024; routing numbers transitioning |
| Canadian Western Bank | 030 | Western Canada focus |
| Manulife Bank | 540 | Insurance company bank arm |
Credit Unions and Caisses
| Institution | Institution Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Desjardins | 815 | Quebec caisse populaire network |
| Meridian Credit Union | 837 | Ontario’s largest credit union |
| Vancity | 809 | BC’s largest credit union |
| Coast Capital Savings | 809 | BC credit union (shares code with Vancity through Central 1) |
| Servus Credit Union | 829 | Alberta’s largest credit union |
| Conexus Credit Union | 879 | Saskatchewan’s largest credit union |
Online-Only and Digital Banks
| Bank | Institution Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tangerine | 614 | Online division (formerly ING Direct) |
| Simplii Financial | 010 | Uses CIBC’s institution number (CIBC division) |
| EQ Bank | 623 | Equitable Bank’s digital platform |
| Wealthsimple Cash | 935 | Issued by Peoples Trust; uses 935 |
| Neo Financial | 001 or 219 | Partners with Concentra Bank (219) or BMO (001) depending on product |
| KOHO | 219 or 935 | Prepaid accounts through Peoples Trust (935) or Concentra (219) |
| motusbank | 837 | Uses Meridian Credit Union’s institution number |
Important: Some digital banks and fintechs route through partner banks, so the institution number on your account may differ from what you expect. Always verify by checking your actual account details in online banking.
How to Read a Canadian Routing Number
On a personal cheque, the numbers at the bottom read left to right:
| Transit # | Inst. # | Account # |
5 digits 3 digits 7-12 digits
Example for a TD Bank account at the main Bay Street branch in Toronto:
| Field | Number |
|---|---|
| Transit number | 10002 |
| Institution number | 004 |
| Account number | 1234567 |
| Full routing number | 10002-004 |
Electronic format (EFT format)
For electronic funds transfers (EFTs), the routing number is formatted as a 9-digit number with a leading zero:
0 + Institution number (3 digits) + Transit number (5 digits)
Using the example above: 0 004 10002 = 000410002
This 9-digit format is used for:
- CRA direct deposit setup
- Payroll direct deposit in some systems
- Pre-authorized debits (PADs)
- Some international wire transfer forms
How to Find Your Routing Number
Method 1: Personal cheque
The transit and institution numbers are printed at the bottom of every cheque. The transit number (5 digits) appears first, followed by the institution number (3 digits), then your account number.
Method 2: Online banking
| Bank | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| TD | EasyWeb → Accounts → Account Details → “Direct Deposit Information” |
| RBC | Online Banking → Account Summary → Click account → Account Details |
| BMO | Online Banking → My Accounts → Account Details |
| Scotiabank | Scotia OnLine → Account Details → “Direct Deposit / Pre-Authorized Payments” |
| CIBC | Online Banking → My Accounts → Account Details → “Void Cheque” |
| National Bank | Online Banking → Account → Account Information |
| Tangerine | Online Banking → Account Settings → Direct Deposit |
| Simplii | Online Banking → My Accounts → Account Details |
| EQ Bank | Online Banking → Account → “Direct Deposit Form” |
| Desjardins | AccèsD → Accounts → Account Details |
Method 3: Mobile banking app
Most major bank apps now display transit and institution numbers under account details. Look for “Direct deposit information,” “Void cheque,” or “Account details.”
Method 4: Bank branch
Visit any branch with government-issued ID and ask a teller to provide your transit and institution numbers, or print a void cheque / PAD form.
Routing Numbers for EFT, Wire Transfers, and International Payments
Different types of transactions may require different numbers:
| Transaction Type | Numbers Needed | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Direct deposit (payroll) | Transit + institution + account | 5-digit transit, 3-digit institution, 7–12 digit account |
| Pre-authorized debit (PAD) | Transit + institution + account | Same as direct deposit |
| CRA tax refund / benefits | Transit + institution + account | Via My CRA Account or T1-DD form |
| Domestic wire transfer | Transit + institution + account | 8-digit routing number |
| International wire transfer (incoming) | SWIFT/BIC code + transit + account | SWIFT code identifies the bank globally |
| US wire transfer | Canadian routing number + SWIFT code | May also need correspondent bank details |
SWIFT Codes for Major Canadian Banks
For international wire transfers, you also need your bank’s SWIFT/BIC code:
| Bank | SWIFT Code |
|---|---|
| BMO | BOFMCAM2 |
| Scotiabank | NOSCCATT |
| RBC | ROYCCAT2 |
| TD | TDOMCATTTOR |
| CIBC | CABOROOTTTO |
| National Bank | BNDCCAMMINT |
| Desjardins | CCDQCAMM |
| Tangerine | ABOROOTTXXX |
What Is a Transit Number?
A transit number is a 5-digit code that identifies a specific bank branch in Canada. Every branch of every bank has its own unique transit number.
For example, TD Bank’s main branch at Bay and King in Toronto has a different transit number than TD’s branch in Vancouver or Montreal. So while all TD accounts share the institution number 004, each branch has its own 5-digit transit number.
Key facts about transit numbers:
- Transit numbers are assigned by Payments Canada (formerly the Canadian Payments Association)
- If your branch closes or merges, your transit number may change — your bank will notify you
- Online-only banks (Tangerine, EQ Bank, Simplii) still have transit numbers, even without physical branches — they use designated internal transit numbers
- Your transit number is not the same as a US ABA routing number
Common Situations Where You Need Your Routing Number
| Situation | What You Provide |
|---|---|
| Starting a new job (payroll setup) | Void cheque or direct deposit form with transit + institution + account |
| CRA tax refund direct deposit | Transit + institution + account via My CRA Account |
| Setting up CPP/OAS/EI direct deposit | Transit + institution + account via My Service Canada Account |
| Automatic bill payments | Transit + institution + account on a PAD form |
| Opening a brokerage or investing account | Transit + institution + account to link your bank |
| Receiving wire transfer from abroad | SWIFT code + transit + institution + account |
| Transferring between banks (e.g., EFT) | Transit + institution + account for both sending and receiving |
| E-transfers | No routing number needed — uses email/phone through Interac |
Note: Interac e-Transfers do not require routing numbers. The recipient is identified by email address or phone number.
Routing Number Security
Your routing and account numbers are not as sensitive as your credit card number or debit card PIN, but they should still be handled with care:
| Risk | Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Someone sees your transit + institution number | Very low | These identify a branch, not your specific account |
| Someone sees your full routing + account number | Low | They could potentially set up a pre-authorized debit, but this requires your consent and is protected by Payments Canada PAD rules |
| Void cheque in the wrong hands | Low | Contains routing + account info; not enough to withdraw funds on its own |
| Combined with other personal info | Moderate | In combination with your name, SIN, and other details, it could facilitate identity theft |
Best practices:
- Only provide your routing information to trusted employers, government agencies, and financial institutions
- Use your bank’s digital void cheque feature instead of physical cheques when possible
- Monitor your bank account for unauthorized pre-authorized debits
- If you notice an unauthorized PAD, contact your bank immediately — you are protected under Payments Canada’s PAD recourse process
Related Pages
- How to Void a Cheque in Canada — Step-by-step guide to voiding a cheque
- How to Set Up Direct Deposit in Canada — Complete direct deposit guide
- Wire Transfer in Canada — How wire transfers work
- How to Open a Bank Account in Canada — Account opening guide
- Best No-Fee Chequing Accounts — Accounts with no monthly fees
- TD Bank Routing Number — TD transit and institution numbers
- RBC Routing Number — RBC transit and institution numbers
- BMO Routing Number — BMO transit and institution numbers
- Scotiabank Routing Number — Scotiabank transit and institution numbers
- CIBC Routing Number — CIBC transit and institution numbers
- Banking Basics Hub: Accounts, Transfers & Banking in Canada