What are the parts of a check?

A check has the payer's info (top-left), the date, the payee line ("Pay to the order of"), the amount written in numbers and in words, the drawer's signature, an optional memo line, and the MICR line at the bottom — which contains the routing number, account number, and check number. The back has an endorsement area for the recipient to sign.

How do you read the numbers on a check?

The numbers along the bottom are the MICR line, printed in magnetic ink and read left to right. First comes the nine-digit routing number identifying your bank, then your account number (usually 8 to 12 digits), then the check number, which matches the one printed in the top-right corner. Bank machines read this line to process the payment.

Where is the routing and account number on a check?

Both sit in the MICR line along the bottom of the check. The nine-digit routing number comes first and identifies your bank; the account number follows. These are the numbers you provide to set up direct deposit or ACH transfers — and they're sensitive, so guard checks carefully and never share images of one publicly.

How do I write a check correctly?

Date it, write the payee on the "Pay to the order of" line, enter the amount in numbers in the box and spell it out on the line below, sign it, and optionally note the purpose on the memo line. Match the numeric and written amounts exactly — if the two differ, the bank honors the amount written in words.

How long should I keep canceled checks?

Keep checks that support a tax return — deductions, income, large purchases — until the IRS limitations window closes, generally 3 years after filing and up to 7 years for bad-debt or worthless-securities claims. Routine canceled checks can be kept about a year after they clear. Store any copies securely, since checks expose your routing and account numbers.

Financial

Personal & Business Check

A check is a written, signed order directing a bank to pay a fixed amount from the drawer's account to a named payee. Its key parts are the payee line, the amount (in numbers and words), the date, the drawer's signature, and the MICR line at the bottom carrying the routing number, account number, and check number.

Written & maintained by the Granite team · Last updated June 2026

Overview

A check is drawn on a checking account and given to a payee, who deposits or cashes it. The MICR line along the bottom — read left to right as routing number, account number, then check number — is what bank machines read magnetically to move the money, and it's also the source people use to set up direct deposit or ACH payments.

Understanding a check's parts matters for filling one out correctly, reading one you've received, and protecting your account information — since the routing and account numbers printed on every check are sensitive.

When you’ll get your Personal & Business Check

You're writing a check and need to fill it out correctly
You received a check and want to read or verify it
You need your routing and account numbers for direct deposit or ACH
You're keeping a record of a payment made or received
You're teaching or learning how checks work

What’s on your Personal & Business Check

These are the fields Granite reads and extracts automatically the moment you upload one.

Payee: The person or business named on the 'Pay to the order of' line.
Amount: The dollar figure, written both numerically (courtesy box) and in words on the line below.
Date: The date the check was written, in the top-right area.
Drawer & Signature: The account holder who wrote and signed the check on the bottom-right line.
Routing & Account Numbers: The bank and account identifiers in the MICR line (sensitive).
Check Number: The check's sequential number, top-right and at the end of the MICR line.

How long to keep it

Keep checks tied to taxes, deductions, or proof of payment until the IRS limitations window closes — generally 3 years after filing, and up to 7 years for claims involving bad debt or worthless securities. Routine canceled checks can be kept about a year after they clear and reconcile.

A check is proof a payment was made, which matters for taxes, disputes, and big purchases. The IRS says to keep records that support an item on a return until the period of limitations for that return expires — generally 3 years, longer in specific situations. Because checks expose your routing and account numbers, store any copies securely.

How Granite handles your Personal & Business Check

Granite reads a check image — payee, amount, date, drawer, check number, and bank — and files it as a payment record, treating the routing and account numbers as sensitive. When you need proof you paid something for taxes or a dispute, or you need your account and routing numbers for a direct-deposit form, the details are securely one search away.

FAQ

Personal & Business Check: common questions

What are the parts of a check?: A check has the payer's info (top-left), the date, the payee line ("Pay to the order of"), the amount written in numbers and in words, the drawer's signature, an optional memo line, and the MICR line at the bottom — which contains the routing number, account number, and check number. The back has an endorsement area for the recipient to sign.
How do you read the numbers on a check?: The numbers along the bottom are the MICR line, printed in magnetic ink and read left to right. First comes the nine-digit routing number identifying your bank, then your account number (usually 8 to 12 digits), then the check number, which matches the one printed in the top-right corner. Bank machines read this line to process the payment.
Where is the routing and account number on a check?: Both sit in the MICR line along the bottom of the check. The nine-digit routing number comes first and identifies your bank; the account number follows. These are the numbers you provide to set up direct deposit or ACH transfers — and they're sensitive, so guard checks carefully and never share images of one publicly.
How do I write a check correctly?: Date it, write the payee on the "Pay to the order of" line, enter the amount in numbers in the box and spell it out on the line below, sign it, and optionally note the purpose on the memo line. Match the numeric and written amounts exactly — if the two differ, the bank honors the amount written in words.
How long should I keep canceled checks?: Keep checks that support a tax return — deductions, income, large purchases — until the IRS limitations window closes, generally 3 years after filing and up to 7 years for bad-debt or worthless-securities claims. Routine canceled checks can be kept about a year after they clear. Store any copies securely, since checks expose your routing and account numbers.

Sources

This page is checked against primary and authoritative sources:

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