Understanding What is a Check?
A check is a crucial financial tool. It's a written order instructing a bank to pay a specific amount from the check writer's account to the payee.
This guide provides a detailed explanation to help you understand how to write a check properly, avoid errors, and use this payment method effectively. We'll cover every aspect, from the date to the signature.
7 Steps How to Write a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you write a check accurately:
1. Date: Write the current date in the top right corner. This is important for the check's validity.
2. Payee: On the "Pay to the order of" line, write the full name of the person or company you're paying. Double-check the spelling!
3. Amount (Numbers): In the box with the dollar sign, write the numerical amount you're paying (e.g., $125.50).
4. Amount (Words): On the line below the "Pay to the order of" line, write the amount in words (e.g., One hundred twenty-five and 50/100). Use fractions for cents.
5. Memo: Use the "Memo" or "For" line for a reference, such as the invoice number or what the payment is for (e.g., "Rent for April").
6. Signature: Sign your name on the signature line in the lower right corner. This authorizes the payment.
7. Delivery: Give the check to the payee. It's that simple!
Following these steps ensures your check is complete and ready for processing.
Check Understanding Components
Understanding the parts of a check is essential. Here's a breakdown:
Pre-printed Information:
* Your name and address (account holder's).
* Bank's name, logo, and branch information.
* Your bank's routing number (also known as ABA number), which identifies your bank.
* Your account number.
* Check number.
Information You Fill In:
* Payee Line: Who the check is payable to.
* Dollar Box: The amount in numerical format.
* Amount in Words: The amount of the check written out using words.
* Memo: For notes or references.
* Date: The date of issue.
* Signature: Your signature to authorize the payment.
“Writing a check is a fundamental skill. This guide aims to clarify every step, ensuring confidence in your financial transactions.
The Check Writing Guide Team
Further Resources
Expand your knowledge with these additional resources
What is an ABA Number?
Learn more about the American Bankers Association number and its function.
A Check in 1800s?
See what a bank check looked like in the 1800s.
Printing Checks
Learn how to print checks at home or in a small office.
Important Numbers with Their English Names
Here's a list of numbers and their corresponding English names for your reference, helpful for writing the amount in words on a check:
0: Zero, 1: One, 2: Two, 3: Three, 4: Four, 5: Five, 6: Six, 7: Seven, 8: Eight, 9: Nine, 10: Ten, 11: Eleven, 12: Twelve, 13: Thirteen, 14: Fourteen, 15: Fifteen, 16: Sixteen, 17: Seventeen, 18: Eighteen, 19: Nineteen, 20: Twenty, 21: Twenty-one, 22: Twenty-two, 23: Twenty-three, 24: Twenty-four, 25: Twenty-five, 26: Twenty-six, 27: Twenty-seven, 28: Twenty-eight, 29: Twenty-nine, 30: Thirty, 31: Thirty-one, 32: Thirty-two, 40: Forty, 50: Fifty, 60: Sixty, 70: Seventy, 80: Eighty, 87: Eighty-seven, 90: Ninety, 100: One hundred, 101: One hundred and one, 110: One hundred and ten, 111: One hundred and eleven, 120: One hundred and twenty, 121: One hundred and twenty-one, 144: One hundred and forty-four, 200: Two hundred, 300: Three hundred, 400: Four hundred, 500: Five hundred, 600: Six hundred, 666: Six hundred and sixty-six, 700: Seven hundred, 777: Seven hundred and seventy-seven, 800: Eight hundred, 900: Nine hundred, 1,000: One thousand, 1,001: One thousand and one, 1,010: One thousand and ten, 1,011: One thousand and eleven, 1,024: One thousand and twenty-four, 1,100: One thousand one hundred, 1,101: One thousand one hundred and one, 1,728: One thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight, 2,000: Two thousand, 3,000: Three thousand, 10,000: Ten thousand, 100,000: One hundred thousand, 500,000: Five hundred thousand, 1,000,000: One million, 1,048,576: One million forty-eight thousand five hundred and seventy-six, 10,000,000: Ten million, 100,000,000: One hundred million, 1,000,000,000: One billion, 1,000,000,000,000: One trillion