If a US client asks for your routing number, they need a payment detail that helps direct money to the right institution. You’ll usually provide it with your account number and account holder name. The key is to check which payment method the client plans to use, because the routing number for ACH may differ from the one for a wire.
This is part 2 of our series for freelancers getting paid by US clients. For the broader payment setup, start with how to receive dollars outside the US. This article explains what a routing number is, where to find it, and how to share payment details safely.
TL;DR
- A routing number is a 9-digit code that identifies a US bank or credit union for payments.
- Give your US client the routing number and account number together.
- ACH and wire routing numbers can differ. Provide the number that matches the payment method.
- A routing number is meant to be shared with someone paying you. It is not a password.
- If you use a provider such as SwiftFi, get the payment details from its dashboard and paste them into your invoice.
What is a routing number?
A routing number is a 9-digit code, also called an ABA routing number or RTN, that identifies a specific US bank or credit union in a payment. It tells the payment system which institution to route money to. Your account number identifies your individual account at that institution. (ABA)
The routing number is not your account number, debit card number, or a code that proves your identity. It is one part of the instructions a payment system uses to route money correctly.
How do routing number and account number work together?
The routing number identifies which institution should receive a payment; the account number identifies which account at that institution should receive it. A US client generally needs both to pay you by ACH or domestic wire, along with the account holder name and any other details your provider requests.
Think of the routing number as the institution’s address and the account number as the specific destination within it. If either number is wrong, the payment may be rejected, returned, or delayed. The American Bankers Association’s guide to routing numbers shows where to find the routing number on a paper check.
ACH routing number vs wire routing number, which one do you give a US client?
Give your client the routing number that matches the payment method they will use. Some institutions use the same routing number for ACH and wire transfers; others list separate numbers. Check the payment instructions in your provider’s dashboard, or confirm directly with the provider before sending your invoice. (ABA)
ACH is a US electronic payment network commonly used for payments between bank accounts. Fedwire is a Federal Reserve service for domestic wire transfers. The routing details required for one method may not work for the other, so don’t assume a number labelled “ACH” is also valid for a wire. (Nacha; Federal Reserve Financial Services)
| Payment method | What to check | What to give your client |
|---|---|---|
| ACH | Your provider’s ACH instructions | The ACH routing number and account number |
| Domestic wire | Your provider’s wire instructions | The wire routing number and account number, plus any requested details |
| Not sure | Ask the client which method they’ll use; confirm with your provider | The matching payment instructions, not a guessed number |
If you provide the wrong routing number, the payment could fail or be returned. Ask your client which method they plan to use, then confirm the matching details with your provider before invoicing. For more on rail speed and delays, see why international payments are slow.
Where do you find your routing number?
You can usually find a routing number in your bank’s website or app, on an account statement, or in your provider’s dashboard. On a paper check, it is the first set of 9 digits printed along the bottom. If you live outside the US and don’t have checks, your provider’s dashboard is often the practical place to look. (ABA; Nacha)
Check that the number is labelled for the payment method your client will use. If you cannot tell whether the displayed details are for ACH or wire, contact your provider before sharing them. Do not use a number from an unsolicited message.
Is a routing number safe to share?
A routing number and account number are payment details you can share with a client who needs to pay you. They are not passwords. Still, account details can be used to send money and, in some systems, someone could attempt an unauthorized debit or impersonation using them. Protect your account access and monitor statements for activity you don’t recognize.
Share payment details only with the intended payer. Get them from your own provider’s dashboard, not from someone who contacts you unexpectedly. If you notice a debit you did not authorize, contact your provider promptly. Nacha advises consumers to report unauthorized ACH activity to their bank or credit union. (Nacha)
What if you don’t have a US bank account?
If you live outside the US, opening an account directly with a US financial institution may not be available to you. Some fintech providers offer US routing and account details in your own name, allowing eligible customers to receive payments from US clients by ACH or wire. Check the provider’s instructions and eligibility requirements before relying on those details.
SwiftFi gives you a US routing and account number in your own name; your client pays by ACH or wire like they’d pay anyone else in the US; you receive a stablecoin balance the same business day, subject to eligibility, processing, compliance reviews, and applicable terms. A stablecoin is a digital dollar; 1 USDC = 1 USD, it doesn’t fluctuate, and it isn’t an investment. The fee is 3% per transaction, with no account opening fee and no maintenance fees. SwiftFi is a fintech, not a bank. Licensed partners perform compliance, sanctions, and source-of-funds reviews. Stablecoins carry depeg, issuer, custody, network, and regulatory risks. See SwiftFi’s payment services and virtual USD account details for more.
For a broader overview, see our virtual US bank account guide for non-residents and the country guides to getting paid in the US from abroad.
What should you put in your invoice payment details?
Include the account holder name exactly as your provider has registered it, along with the routing number and account number. State whether the client should pay by ACH or wire, and specify USD as the payment currency if that is what you agreed.
Use this checklist:
- Routing number for the selected payment method
- Account number
- Account holder name, exactly as registered
- Payment method: ACH or wire
- Currency: USD
Double-check the routing number against your provider’s dashboard before you send the invoice. A typo can cause a returned payment and delay. This article is for general education and is not tax advice.
FAQ
What is a routing number?
A routing number is a 9-digit code that identifies a US bank or credit union for a payment. It is also called an ABA routing number or RTN. The routing number points to the institution; your account number identifies your account at that institution. A payer typically needs both.
Is the ACH routing number the same as the wire routing number?
Not always. Some financial institutions use the same routing number for ACH and wire transfers, while others provide separate numbers for each payment method. Ask your client which method they will use, then check your provider’s instructions. If the details are unclear, confirm with the provider before invoicing.
Where do I find my routing number?
Look in your provider’s app or website, account statement, or payment dashboard. If you have a paper check, the routing number is the first 9-digit group along the bottom. For ACH payments, Nacha recommends checking directly with your financial institution or its official app or website.
Is it safe to give a client my routing number and account number?
These details are intended to be shared with people paying you, and they are not passwords. However, account details can be misused, including for attempted unauthorized debits in some systems. Share them only with the intended payer, protect your account access, and contact your provider if you spot activity you did not authorize.
Can a non-US freelancer get a US routing number?
Some fintech providers offer eligible freelancers outside the US US routing and account details in their own name for receiving client payments. Availability and payment instructions depend on the provider and applicable eligibility requirements. Check whether the details support ACH, wire, or both before giving them to a client.
Sources
All sources accessed October 28, 2026.
- American Bankers Association: ABA Routing Number, check layout, 9-digit routing numbers, and routing-number resources.
- Federal Reserve Financial Services: Operating Circular No. 6, rules for transfers through the Fedwire Funds Service.
- Nacha: Consumer FAQs on ACH Payments, guidance on finding account details and reporting unauthorized ACH activity.
Work globally. Get paid like a local. Open a SwiftFi account when you are ready to share US routing and account details with US clients.