Canada does not use the term “routing number” as formally as the United States, but the concept is the same: a series of numbers that identify your bank and branch so that electronic payments can be directed to the right place. In Canada, this information is split into two separate numbers — the transit (branch) number and the institution number.
What Is a Transit Number?
The transit number (also called the branch number) is a 5-digit code that identifies the specific branch of your bank where your account was opened.
- Example:
00152identifies a specific TD Canada Trust branch - Transit numbers are assigned by the Canadian Payments Association (now Payments Canada)
- Each physical branch of a bank has its own transit number
- Online banks (EQ Bank, Tangerine, Simplii) have transit numbers assigned to their virtual headquarters
What Is an Institution Number?
The institution number is a 3-digit code that identifies your bank (financial institution) within the Canadian payments system.
| Institution | Number |
|---|---|
| Bank of Montreal (BMO) | 001 |
| Scotiabank | 002 |
| Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) | 003 |
| TD Canada Trust | 004 |
| National Bank of Canada | 006 |
| CIBC | 010 |
| HSBC Canada | 016 |
| Simplii Financial | 010 (uses CIBC’s infrastructure) |
| Tangerine | 614 |
| EQ Bank | 623 |
| Desjardins | 815 |
| Credit unions | Various (200–899 range) |
How the Two Numbers Combine
When you provide banking information for direct deposit or pre-authorized payments, you give:
- Institution number (3 digits)
- Transit number (5 digits)
- Account number (7–12 digits)
On a cheque, these appear in MICR format at the bottom, reading left to right: transit number → institution number → account number.
Example:
- Transit:
00152 - Institution:
004(TD) - Account:
1234567
Written together on a void cheque form: 00152-004 followed by your account number.
Canadian vs. US Routing Numbers
This causes confusion because Canadian and US banking systems use different standards.
| Canada | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic routing | 5-digit transit + 3-digit institution | 9-digit ABA routing number |
| Wire transfers (domestic) | Transit + institution + account number | ABA + account number |
| International wires | SWIFT/BIC code | SWIFT/BIC code |
| Interbank code format | 8 digits (transit + institution) | 9 digits (ABA) |
When a US service asks for your “routing number”
Services like Wise, PayPal, Stripe, and some US employers ask for a “routing number” for Canadian bank accounts. They typically want a 9-digit number formatted as:
0 + 5-digit transit + 3-digit institution
So: 0 + 00152 + 004 = 000152004
This is sometimes called the “EFT routing number” or “paper routing number.” Double-check the format with the specific service — some want 8 digits (no leading zero), others want 9.
Where to Find Your Routing Number
On a cheque
The bottom of a personal cheque contains three numbers in MICR font:
- The transit number appears first (inside the symbol
⑈) - The institution number appears second
- Your account number appears last
In online banking
Every major Canadian bank shows your transit and institution numbers in account details:
- RBC: Accounts → Account Details → Branch transit and institution numbers
- TD: Accounts → Manage → Direct Deposit Info
- BMO: Accounts → Account Details
- Scotiabank: My Banking → Account Details
- CIBC: Accounts → Account Details → Void Cheque / Direct Deposit Info
- Tangerine: Accounts → Account Details (shows transit, institution, and account number)
- EQ Bank: Accounts → Account Details
Generate a void cheque or direct deposit form
Most banks let you download a direct deposit form (PDF) through their app or online banking. This pre-filled form contains your institution number, transit number, and account number — and is accepted by most employers and the CRA as a substitute for a physical void cheque.
Using Your Routing Information
For payroll direct deposit: Provide your institution number, transit number, and account number to your employer’s HR department, or attach a void cheque to their direct deposit form.
For CRA direct deposit: Set up through CRA My Account or your bank’s online banking CRA direct deposit integration. The same transit, institution, and account number fields apply.
For pre-authorized debits (PADs): Provide the same three numbers when authorizing a company to withdraw from your account (e.g., utility bill payments, insurance premiums). A pre-authorized debit authorization form requires a void cheque or equivalent.
For wire transfers: Domestic wire transfers in Canada use the transit and institution numbers plus your account number. International wire transfers use your bank’s SWIFT/BIC code instead of a routing number — check your bank’s wire transfer instructions for the correct codes.