You're staring at a screen. Maybe it's a Venmo setup, a direct deposit form from a new boss, or you're trying to pay a bill that definitely isn't getting any cheaper. You need your Bank of America info. Specifically, you're asking: how many digits in Bank of America account number?
It's one of those things you think you'd know. You don't. Most people don't.
Honestly, the answer isn't a single "golden number." While most Bank of America (BofA) account numbers are 12 digits long, there is a bit of nuance depending on when you opened the account or what state you were in at the time. Sometimes you'll see 10. Sometimes 11. But for the vast majority of modern checking and savings accounts, 12 is the magic count.
Where the Digits Go and Why They Matter
Don't confuse your account number with your routing number. That's a classic rookie mistake. The routing number for Bank of America is always 9 digits—that’s a federal standard for all banks in the U.S. so the "pipes" of the financial system know which building to send the money to. The account number is the "apartment number" within that building. It's yours.
If you're looking at a physical check (remember those?), the account number is usually the middle set of numbers. It sits right between the routing number and the check number.
Wait. Sometimes it's at the end.
That’s the thing about bank formatting—it changes. But usually, on a standard BofA check, it's that 12-digit string. If you count 12, you're probably golden. If you count 10, don't freak out. Older accounts, especially those migrated from older systems like Fleet or MBNA, might have shorter strings.
Finding the Number Without Losing Your Mind
You've probably got the app. Open it.
Tap on your "Total Rewards Checking" or whatever you named your account. Right there at the top, you'll see "Account Details" or a little "Info" icon. Tap it. It usually masks the number with dots for security—because identity theft is real—but there's a "Show" button.
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Suddenly, there it is. How many digits in Bank of America account number? Count them. One, two, three... twelve.
If you aren't an "app person," go to the website. The layout is a bit clunkier, but the data is the same. Log in, click the account, and look for "Account Number." You might need to click "View" to see the full thing.
Why Does the Digit Count Change?
Banking is basically just a series of mergers. Over the decades, Bank of America swallowed up hundreds of smaller banks. Each of those banks had their own way of doing things. Some used 10 digits. Some used 11.
When BofA took them over, they didn't always force everyone to change their account numbers. That would be a logistical nightmare. Imagine telling millions of people their direct deposits are now broken. No thanks.
So, they "mapped" the old numbers into their system. This is why your buddy might have 10 digits and you have 12. Generally, though, if you opened your account in the last 15 years, you're looking at 12.
The Difference Between Personal and Business Accounts
Is it different for businesses? Not really.
Bank of America keeps things pretty uniform across their retail and small business platforms. Whether it's a personal checking account or a business operating account, that 12-digit standard is the benchmark.
The real difference is usually in the routing number. Businesses often use "wire" routing numbers rather than "paper" or "electronic" routing numbers. If you're doing a wire transfer, you've got to be careful. Using the wrong routing number is a much bigger headache than worrying about whether your account number is 11 or 12 digits.
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Dealing With Paper Statements
If you still get mail, grab a statement.
Look at the top right or the bottom of the first page. It'll show the last four digits clearly. To see the full thing, you usually have to look at the "Account Summary" section.
Pro tip: if you're ever in doubt, just call them. Or use the chat feature in the app. The "Erica" virtual assistant is actually surprisingly decent at pointing you toward your account details. Just don't give your full account number to anyone who calls you. Bank of America will never call you and ask for the full 12 digits out of the blue.
What Happens if You Get it Wrong?
So, you're filling out a form. You miss a digit. What then?
Usually, the transaction just fails. It’s annoying. The money "bounces" back to the sender. If you’re lucky, the system catches it immediately because account numbers often have "checksums" built in. A checksum is a bit of math that ensures the number is valid. If the math doesn't add up, the system knows you made a typo.
But sometimes, rarely, that money might go into someone else's account. This is why you double-check. Then you triple-check.
The Logistics of 12 Digits
Why 12?
It provides enough combinations to cover every person in the country multiple times over. It’s long enough to be secure but short enough to fit on a plastic card or a small line on a tax form.
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When you're setting up a direct deposit, the form might have 15 boxes for the account number. Don't panic. You don't need to fill every box. You start from the left and leave the extra boxes on the right empty. Or, sometimes, the instructions say to "right-justify" and leave the left boxes empty.
Read the instructions on the form. Usually, "left-to-right" is the way to go.
Using Your Account Number for International Transfers
If you’re sending money overseas, the 12-digit account number isn't enough. You’re going to need a SWIFT code or a BIC.
Bank of America's SWIFT code is generally BOFAUS3N. But check your specific branch or region. For international stuff, the account number stays 12 digits, but the "wrapper" around it changes to include the international identifiers.
Common Misconceptions About BofA Account Length
People often think their debit card number is their account number.
It isn't.
Your debit card has 16 digits. It's a completely different number linked to the account. If you try to use your 16-digit card number for a direct deposit, it will fail every single time.
Another one: people think the number on their deposit slip is the account number. Sometimes it is, but sometimes those slips have "internal" codes that can confuse you. Always trust the "Account Details" screen in the app over anything else. It's the "source of truth."
Final Checklist for Your Account Number
Before you hit "submit" on that transfer, run through this:
- Count the digits. Is it 12? If not, is it a legacy 10 or 11?
- Verify it isn't the routing number (9 digits).
- Make sure it isn't your debit card number (16 digits).
- Check for typos. Zeroes and "O"s (though bank numbers are only digits) or "1"s and "7"s.
- Confirm the routing number matches your state. Bank of America has different routing numbers for different regions (e.g., California vs. New York).
If you’re still unsure, the most foolproof way is to download a "Direct Deposit Form" directly from your BofA online banking portal. It generates a PDF with your name, the correct routing number, and your exact account number—whether it’s 10, 11, or 12 digits—already typed out. You can't mess that up.
Actionable Next Steps
- Log in to your Bank of America mobile app or online banking portal immediately to verify your specific digit count.
- Download a copy of your "Electronic Deposit" form from the "Accounts" menu to keep on file; this ensures you always have the correct routing and account number combo ready for employers.
- Label your accounts with nicknames in the app if you have multiple (e.g., "Personal Checking - 12 digits") to avoid mixing them up during fast transfers.
- Check your routing number against the official Bank of America list if you have recently moved states, as using an old routing number with a new account can cause delays.