How to use
- Type the amount in the Amount box, for example 1240.50.
- Read the amount in words, such as One thousand two hundred forty and 50/100, and copy it if you like.
- Follow the numbered steps on the sample check to fill in the date, payee, amount box, amount line, memo and signature on your own check.
How to write a check, step by step
Write the date in the top right corner, usually as month/day/year. On the Pay to the order of line, write the full name of the person or company you are paying. In the box with the dollar sign, write the amount in numbers, starting right next to the $ so nothing can be squeezed in front.
On the line below, write the same amount in words, starting at the far left edge. Write the cents as a fraction over 100, then draw a line from the end of your words to the word Dollars, so the amount cannot be changed. Add a memo if you want a reminder or the payee asked for an account number, and sign on the bottom right line.
Examples of amounts in words
Banks go by the amount in words when it does not match the number, so it is worth getting right:
| Amount | Written on the check |
|---|---|
| $25.00 | Twenty-five and 00/100 |
| $75.50 | Seventy-five and 50/100 |
| $100.00 | One hundred and 00/100 |
| $1,240.50 | One thousand two hundred forty and 50/100 |
| $2,005.09 | Two thousand five and 09/100 |
| $0.75 | Zero and 75/100 |
Rules that keep a check safe
Use a pen with ink that cannot be erased, write "and" only before the cents, and use hyphens for numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine. Never sign a blank check, and keep a record of the check number, date, payee and amount so you can match it against your statement.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write cents on a check?
As a fraction over 100 after the word "and": $45.07 is written Forty-five and 07/100. For a whole-dollar amount, write 00/100.
Do I write "and" after hundred?
No. On checks, "and" marks where the dollars end and the cents begin, so $120.00 is One hundred twenty and 00/100, not One hundred and twenty.
What if the words and the numbers do not match?
Under the rules banks follow, the amount in words usually wins, but the check may be returned. If you make a mistake, void that check and write a new one.
Can I print a check here?
No. This page only shows how to fill in a check; it does not print checks or show bank numbers. For direct deposit, your bank's direct deposit form or a voided check from your own checkbook is what employers ask for.
