Writing a cheque feels like a relic from another century. It is. But for some reason, landlords, small businesses, and government agencies still cling to these little slips of paper like they’re gold bars. If you’ve ever stared at a blank cheque and felt a slight panic rising in your chest, you aren't alone. One tiny mistake—a stray digit, a messy signature, or a date that looks like a doodle—and the bank will toss it out.
The Anatomy of a Modern Cheque
Most people think a cheque is just about the money. Wrong. It’s actually a legal contract. When you sign it, you’re giving a direct command to your financial institution. If the command is garbled, they won't follow it.
Start at the top right. This is where you put the date. Don't get fancy here. Some people use the American format (MM/DD/YYYY), while others use the European style (DD/MM/YYYY). If you’re in Canada or the UK, this matters immensely. A cheque dated 01/12/2026 could mean January 12th or December 1st depending on where the bank is located. To stay safe, I always suggest writing out the month. Write "January 15, 2026." It’s unambiguous. Banks hate ambiguity.
Then comes the "Pay to the Order of" line. This is the recipient. You’ve gotta be specific here. If you’re paying a person, use their full legal name. Don't use nicknames. If it’s for "Johnnie," but his bank account says "Johnathan," you’re inviting a headache. If it’s for a business, ask them exactly what name is on their deposit account. Some businesses have a "Doing Business As" (DBA) name that differs from their legal corporate name.
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Getting the Numbers Right
Now, the two boxes for the amount. This is where most people mess up how to write out cheque details. You have the small box for the numerical value and the long line for the written words. The written words are the legal amount.
If the box says $100.00 but the line says "One thousand dollars," the bank is technically supposed to honor the written words. Usually, though, they just flag it for fraud and freeze everything. It sucks.
When you write the numerical amount, start as far to the left as possible. Why? Because if you leave a gap, a dishonest person can turn your $50 into $150 with a quick flick of a pen. Use a decimal point and write the cents clearly. Many people write cents as a fraction over 100. For example, $1,250.50 becomes 1,250.50 in the box.
The Art of the Written Line
The long line is where you prove you know what you’re doing. Write the amount in capital letters if your handwriting is shaky. "ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY AND 50/100."
See that "and"? That’s the only place "and" should go. In formal banking English, "and" represents the decimal point. Don't say "One hundred and fifty dollars." Say "One hundred fifty and..."
Once you finish writing the amount, draw a thick line through the remaining empty space all the way to the word "Dollars." This prevents anyone from adding extra words. It’s an old-school security trick that still works. Seriously, do it.
Why the Memo Line is Your Best Friend
The memo line, located at the bottom left, is technically optional. The bank doesn't care what you write there. But you should care.
If you’re paying rent, write "Rent - February 2026." If it’s a tax payment to the IRS or CRA, write your Social Security or Social Insurance Number there. This is for your records and the recipient’s records. If there’s a dispute later, that memo line is your primary evidence of what the payment was intended for. Without it, a landlord could claim you paid for "repairs" instead of "rent" and try to evict you for non-payment. People are sneaky. Be sneakier.
The Signature: The Final Lock
Your signature is the key. It needs to match the signature the bank has on file. If you’ve changed your name or your handwriting has evolved since you opened that account at age 16, you might run into issues.
Don't scribble. Use a blue or black pen. Never use a pencil. Never use a gel pen that bleeds through the paper. Most banks use scanners that struggle with light colors or "shimmery" inks. Stick to the basics.
Security Mistakes You’re Probably Making
We live in an era of "cheque washing." This is where criminals use household chemicals—basically nail polish remover—to erase the ink on your cheque while leaving the signature intact. They then write in a new amount and a new recipient.
To fight this, use a Uniball 207 or a similar pen with "pigmented" ink. This ink traps itself in the fibers of the paper. It can't be washed off without destroying the paper itself. It’s a $2 investment that can save you thousands.
Also, never leave your chequebook in your car. It sounds obvious, right? Yet, it’s one of the top ways cheque fraud begins.
Post-Dating and Its Pitfalls
Sometimes people think they can "post-date" a cheque. You write a cheque on January 1st but date it for January 15th, thinking the bank won't cash it until then.
Here’s the truth: Banks often don't check the date.
The automated systems that process millions of cheques a day are looking for the MICR line (the weird numbers at the bottom) and the signature. If someone deposits your post-dated cheque on the 2nd, the bank might process it anyway. If you don't have the funds in your account, you’ll get hit with a Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) fee. These fees are predatory, often ranging from $35 to $50 per occurrence. Don't rely on the date to protect your balance.
What are those weird numbers at the bottom?
That's the MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line.
- Cheque Number: Usually matches the number in the top right corner.
- Routing Number: Identifies your specific bank.
- Account Number: Identifies you.
If these numbers are smudged or if you’ve spilled coffee on them, the cheque is dead. Don't try to tape a torn cheque back together and send it. Most ATMs will eat it, and tellers will reject it because it won't pass through their scanners. Just void it and start over.
To "void" a cheque properly, write "VOID" in huge letters across the front. Do not cover the MICR numbers at the bottom if you are giving the voided cheque to an employer for direct deposit setup; they need to read those numbers.
Common Misconceptions About Cheques
Many people believe a cheque is "as good as cash." It isn't. When you deposit a cheque, the bank often gives you a portion of the money immediately as a gesture of goodwill. This is called a "float." However, it can take 3 to 5 business days (sometimes longer for international cheques) for the bank to actually verify that the money exists in the sender's account.
If the cheque bounces six days later, the bank will claw that money back out of your account. If you’ve already spent it, you’re in the hole. This is the basis for 90% of the "overpayment" scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Actionable Steps for Flawless Cheque Writing
- Check your balance first. It sounds silly, but "accidental" bounces are the most common reason for bank account closures.
- Use a permanent, pigmented ink pen. Avoid the temptation of whatever random pen is at the bottom of your bag.
- Fill out the stub or register immediately. You will forget what Cheque #104 was for. I promise.
- Write the amount in words clearly. Avoid cursive if your cursive looks like a doctor's prescription. Print is fine.
- Double-check the recipient's name. Spelled correctly? Good.
- Sign firmly. If you follow these steps, you'll ensure your payment is processed without a hitch. Cheques are old, clunky, and kind of annoying, but they remain a fundamental part of the financial system. Understanding how to write out cheque details is a basic bit of financial literacy that keeps you in control of your money and out of the "rejected" pile.