Learn to Write a Check: Comprehensive Guide with Check Writing Tool

Need a hand to write a check? HowToCheque.com is here to assist you. From check formats to amount spellings, we’ve got you covered. With the help of our check writing tool and comprehensive check writing tutorial, writing a check is now easier than ever before.

How to write a check

Check Writing Tool

Our online check writing tool is designed to simplify the process of writing checks. This user-friendly tool guides you through each step, ensuring that every check you write is accurate and error-free. Simply enter the amount, the payee’s name, date, and memo, and let our tool do the rest.

Amount
Date
100 dollar check

Comprehensive Tutorial on How to Write a Check

While our check writing tool is a valuable resource, understanding the process of filling out a check is crucial from a financial perspective. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive yet easy-to-follow tutorial to help you master your check writing skills. But before we get to the steps to write a check we need to know the key elements and fields of a check.

12 Essential Parts of a Check

There are mainly 12 elements in a check. Out of these 12 elements you have to fill 6 elements and 6 are preprinted on the check. Here are the elements and their respective uses.

Highlighting the date, recipient's name, amount fields, memo, and signature field of a check
Parts of a check that you have to fill
  1. Date Field: Located at the top right corner of the check, this is where you write the current or a future date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Typically, a check is valid for up to 180 days from the date written on the check, although in some cases, the validity is 90 days.
  2. Payee’s Name Field: This long line next to “Pay to the Order of” is where you write the payee’s name, i.e., the name of the receiver. This can be an individual’s full name or an organization’s name. You can also write the word “Cash” if you intend to cash the check.
  3. Amount in Numeric Field: Located next to the “Payee’s Name” line, here you write the amount of the check in numbers.
  4. Amount in Word Field: In the blank line under the “Payee’s Name” line, you write the amount of the check in words. You should write the dollar part of the amount in words and the cent part as a fraction over 100. For example, if the amount is $100.20, you would write it as “One hundred dollars and 20/100”. For added safety, draw a horizontal line if there is excess space left.
  5. Signature Field: Located at the bottom right corner of the check, this is where you sign your signature. You should only sign the check after verifying that it is filled out correctly.
  6. Memo Field: Located at the bottom left corner of the check, this is where you write the purpose of the check. In some bank’s checks, ‘Memo’ is printed as ‘For‘. Although this step is optional, it is recommended to fill it out as it helps track your spending in the future.

Besides the six fields you fill out, there are six more preprinted elements on a check. Let’s take a closer look at these preprinted elements:

Highlighting the account holder's information, check number, bank's information, ABA number and account number of a check
Preprinted parts of a check
  • Account Holder’s Information: Typically located at the top left corner of the check, this section contains your information such as name and address.
  • Check Number: This is a unique number for the particular check in the checkbook. It’s printed on the top right corner and the bottom right corner of the check. (We are counting it as two separate elements.)
  • Bank’s Information: Your bank’s information such as name, logo, and address is also preprinted on the check.
  • ABA Routing Number: The American Bankers Association (ABA) routing number is printed at the bottom of the check. This number is used for identifying your bank.
  • Bank Account Number: Next to the ABA routing number, your bank account number is also printed.

Write a Check in Six Easy Steps

Knowing these parts of a check makes it easier to write one. I can bet that you’re already feeling confident about filling out a check by yourself. To make it even smoother, here’s a step-by-step check writing tutorial. For the purpose of this tutorial, let’s consider a scenario where you are issuing a check of 125 dollars to Christy Walker for rent on May 15, 2024.

1
Write the Date

Start by filling out the date section in MM/DD/YYYY format as “05/15/2024”.

Step 1: Write the date on the 125 dollar check, showing a blank check with the date field filled as 05/15/2024
Write the date in the date box (E.g., 05/15/2024).
2
Write the Recipient’s Name

Now fill out the “Payee’s Name Field” with “Christy Walker”.

Step 2: Write the payee's name on the 125 dollar check, showing a check with 'Christy Walker' written in the payee field
Write the payee’s name on the “Pay To The Order Of” line (E.g., Christy Walker).
3
Write the Amount in Numeric

Next, fill the box next to the “Payee’s Name Field” with the check’s amount in numbers as “125.00”.

Step 3: Write the amount on the 125 dollar check, showing a check with '125.00' written in the amount field
Write 125.00 in the amount box.
4
Write the Amount in Words

Then fill the line below the “Payee’s Name Field” with the check’s amount in words as “One hundred twenty-five and 00/100”.

Step 4: Write the amount in words on the 125 dollar check, showing a check with 'One hundred twenty-five and 00/100' written in the amount field
Write One hundred twenty-five and 00/100.
5
Write the Memo (Optional)

Fill the memo or “for” section with the purpose of the check as “Rent”. If you prefer not to fill it, then leave it blank.

Step 5: Fill out the memo on the 125 dollar check, showing a check with 'Rent' written in the memo field
Fill the Memo or For section with the purpose of the check (E.g., Rent).
6
Sign the Check

Finally, verify that the check is filled out correctly, and only then sign your signature in the signature field.

Step 6: Sign the 125 dollar check, showing a check with a sample signature in the signature field
Sign your signature on the signature line.