E-13B is the standard font for the bank number line at the bottom of US and Canadian checks. It has 14 characters: the digits 0 to 9 and four special symbols. Each character has a distinct shape so that a scanner can tell them apart even when ink is smeared. Using any other font for that line can cause a check to be rejected.
The 14 characters
| Characters | What they are | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 9 | The ten digits, drawn in a blocky shape | Carry the routing, account and check numbers |
| Transit symbol | A bracket-like mark around the routing number | Marks the start and end of the routing number |
| On-us symbol | Used before the account number | Marks the account number field |
| Amount symbol | Used around the amount | Added by the bank after a check is deposited |
| Dash symbol | A small dash | Separates parts of a number |
How the bank number line is laid out
On most checks, the line reads from left to right: the routing number inside transit symbols, then the account number, then the check number. Layouts vary slightly, and business checks sometimes put the check number first. The routing number is nine digits. See what a routing number is and use our routing number checker to catch typing mistakes.
Why the font matters
- A scanner is trained on the E-13B shapes, so a look-alike font can be misread.
- Spacing and position matter as much as the shapes. A line that sits too high or low can fail.
- Print quality matters: smudges and streaks are a common cause of rejected checks.
What to do if your bank number line looks wrong
- Print a Test Print on plain paper and hold it against a real check to compare the line's position.
- Adjust the alignment in small steps. In Check Writer 123 you can move the bank number line on its own.
- Check the printer's quality settings and use clean, dry stock.
- See what to do when the bank number line does not print correctly.
Check Writer 123 prints the bank number line in an E-13B style font on checks you print, with a free Test Print and separate alignment for that line. Whether your bank also requires magnetic ink is something to ask the bank, as covered in do you need MICR toner.