How to Write a Check: Step-by-Step Complete Guide

Before You Start Writing a Check

Before filling out a check, verify two things. First, confirm your available account balance covers the check amount. Writing a check for more than your available balance triggers an NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee averaging $16.82 per Bankrate's 2025/2026 study, plus potential fees to the payee. Second, gather the payee's full legal name. A check written to a misspelled name or an informal nickname may be refused by the recipient's bank. For businesses, use the official business name exactly as registered.

Use a blue or black permanent ink pen. Never use pencil (erasable), red ink (can interfere with optical scanning), or felt-tip markers (bleed through paper). Permanent ink dries quickly and is harder to alter than water-soluble inks.

Do not sign the check until you are ready to deposit, hand it to the payee, or mail it. A signed check with blank fields left unfilled is a fraud risk. For a full explanation of check security practices, see our check fraud prevention guide.

Step 1: Write the Date

Write the date in the small field in the upper right corner of the check. The date tells the bank and the payee when the check was written and establishes when the check's 180-day validity period begins.

The standard format is month/day/year: 06/15/2025 for June 15, 2025. You can also write it out as "June 15, 2025" if you prefer the spelled-out month.

The fill out check date step matters for two reasons. First, a check without a date can still be cashed at a bank's discretion, but missing dates can cause confusion at some institutions. Second, the date establishes the starting point for the stale check rule: a check becomes stale, and banks are not obligated to honor it, 180 days (six months) after the date written. If your landlord deposits your rent check seven months after you wrote it, the bank may legitimately refuse it.

Post-dating (writing a future date) is covered in detail below. The short version: writing a future date does not legally prevent most banks from processing the check before that date arrives.

Step 2: Write the Payee Name

On the payee line check field (labeled "Pay to the order of"), write the full name of the person, organization, or business you are paying. For individuals, use their full legal name as they would use it at a bank. For businesses, use the official registered business name. For government agencies, use the full official agency name.

Spelling matters. A check made out to "Steven Smith" when the recipient's account is registered to "Stephen Smith" may be flagged at deposit. If you are unsure of the exact spelling of a business name, check their invoice or website before writing.

How to write payee name on check for multiple parties: if you are writing the check to two people, the conjunction determines who must endorse. "John Smith AND Jane Doe" requires both signatures. "John Smith OR Jane Doe" allows either to cash or deposit the check alone. This is governed by UCC 3-110(d), covered in detail in our multiple signature checks guide.

Fill the space from your last written character to the end of the payee line with a horizontal line or dashes. This prevents someone from adding a name after yours (for example, converting "John Smith" into "John Smith OR Jane Doe" to allow a different person to cash the check).

Step 3: Write the Numeric Amount

Write the check amount in numbers in the small box on the right side of the check. The check amount in numbers should include the full dollar and cents amount with a decimal point separating them. Write the numbers starting as far left in the box as possible, right up against the pre-printed dollar sign. This prevents someone from inserting an additional digit in front of your amount.

Always include two decimal places, even for whole dollar amounts. Write $200.00, not $200. Writing the decimal and zeros makes the amount unambiguous and closes the gap that would allow someone to add ".50" after a trailing round number. If the check is for $1,300 exactly, write $1,300.00.

The numeric amount in the box is not the legally controlling amount if it conflicts with the written amount on the line below. However, banks use it to process the check through automated systems. The two amounts should always match.

Step 4: Write the Amount in Words

Write the check amount in words on the long line directly below the payee line. This is the legally controlling amount field under UCC 3-114. If the written amount and the numeric box amount differ, the bank pays the written amount.

Start writing at the far left of the line, as close to the beginning as possible. Write the dollar amount fully spelled out in words, then write "and" followed by the cents as a fraction over 100. After writing the complete amount, draw a horizontal line from the end of your text all the way to the word "DOLLARS" printed at the right end of the line. This drawn line prevents anyone from adding additional text to inflate the amount.

For whole dollar amounts: write "and 00/100" or "no/100" or "xx/100" to explicitly indicate zero cents. Do not leave the cents portion blank. Example: "Two hundred and 00/100 _________________________ DOLLARS"

For amounts with cents: write the dollars in words, "and," then the cents as a number over 100. Example: "One hundred thirty and 45/100 _________________ DOLLARS"

Step 5: Add a Memo

The memo line check purpose is documentation and communication. It is optional but writing something here takes five seconds and can save significant trouble later.

Common memo entries include: "July rent" or "July 2025 rent" for a rent payment, "Invoice #4521" for a contractor payment, your utility account number for a bill payment, "2024 income tax" for an IRS payment, or "Annual donation" for a charitable contribution. The IRS specifically recommends writing your Social Security number on checks sent to them.

Important: the memo line is for reference only. Banks are not obligated to follow instructions written on the memo line. Wells Fargo confirms this explicitly: "Banks are not obligated to follow any restrictions or instructions, such as 'void after 30 days,' 'void over $50,' or 'payment in full.'" Writing "final payment" in the memo does not legally constitute an accord and satisfaction in most states without the payee's explicit agreement. If you have specific legal intent behind a payment (such as settling a disputed debt), consult an attorney rather than relying on memo line notation.

Step 6: Sign the Check

The signature line check field is in the lower right corner. Sign your name there. Use the same signature you used when you opened your checking account. An unsigned check cannot be cashed or deposited; it is not a valid payment instrument without your authorization signature.

Sign last, as a deliberate final step. SoFi's guide warns: "Don't sign your name on the bottom of the check until it is completely filled out. If a check has your signature, but no payee name or dollar amount, you are leaving yourself wide open for any thief with a pen to fill in the blanks." A fully-signed blank check is essentially a blank check in the worst sense.

Sign only after every other field is complete and you are ready to hand the check to the payee, deposit it, or mail it. For checks being mailed, use a restrictive endorsement on the back and a sealed security envelope. For more on endorsement types and when to use them, see our endorsements and stamps guide.

How to Write Cents on a Check

To write cents on check (how to write cents on check): use the cents as fraction check method, placing the cent amount as a numerator over 100 on the written amount line.

How to write cents on a check is one of the most commonly asked questions about check writing. The answer for the written amount line: express cents as a fraction with the cents amount over 100.

• $25.50: "Twenty-five and 50/100"
• $130.45: "One hundred thirty and 45/100"
• $75.09: "Seventy-five and 09/100"
• $500.00: "Five hundred and 00/100"
• $1,200.75: "One thousand two hundred and 75/100"

For the cents fraction, always write the actual cents value as a two-digit number over 100, even if the cents value is less than 10 (write 09/100, not 9/100). For whole dollar amounts, write 00/100, no/100, or xx/100 , all three are widely accepted ways to denote zero cents.

In the numeric amount box, write the cents after a decimal point: $130.45, $500.00, $75.09. Use exactly two decimal places. Banks use the numeric box for automated processing but the written line to verify the amount and resolve any discrepancy.

Amount in Words: Examples for Common Check Amounts

Here are the correct written-amount-line formats for frequently written check values. These answer the common questions about how to write a large amount check in words:

How to write $100 on a check:
How to write 100 on a check: "One hundred and 00/100 _________________________ DOLLARS"

How to write $500 on a check:
How to write 500 on a check: "Five hundred and 00/100 ________________________ DOLLARS"

How to write $1,000 on a check:
How to write 1000 on a check: "One thousand and 00/100 _______________________ DOLLARS"

How to write $1,500 on a check:
"One thousand five hundred and 00/100 ___________ DOLLARS"

How to write $2,500 on a check:
"Two thousand five hundred and 00/100 ____________ DOLLARS"

How to write $1,350.75 on a check:
"One thousand three hundred fifty and 75/100 _____ DOLLARS"

How to write $10,000 on a check:
"Ten thousand and 00/100 ________________________ DOLLARS"

Note that for amounts in the thousands, you do not need to write "dollars" within the words , save that for the pre-printed "DOLLARS" at the end of the line. Write the number words only, then the "and XX/100" cents fraction, then the line, then the printed "DOLLARS."

What Happens If the Two Amounts Are Different

The UCC 3-114 written amount rule: the check written amount controls UCC rule (UCC Section 3-114) governs any discrepancy between the numeric amount in the box and the written amount on the line below. Banks pay the written amount.

If you write $150 in the box but "One hundred and 00/100" in words, the bank pays $100. If you write $1,000 in the box but "One thousand five hundred and 00/100" in words, the bank pays $1,500. Regions Bank confirms: "If the numeric and written amounts are different, banks generally process the written amount."

This rule exists because written words are considered the more deliberate and less error-prone expression of intent, and because they are harder to alter without detection. It is the same reason legal documents express numbers in both numerals and words for important figures.

The practical implication: always complete the written amount line carefully and verify it matches the numeric box before signing. A simple transposition error in the numeric box ($415 instead of $145) is corrected by the written line if the written line is accurate. A transposition error in the written line goes to the payee and cannot be easily corrected after the check clears. If you discover a discrepancy after the check clears, the bank honored the written amount per UCC 3-114, and your recourse is with the payee, not the bank.

How to Void a Check

Void check write VOID instruction: to void a check, write the word VOID in large, clear letters across the front of the check using a blue or black permanent ink pen. The letters should be large enough to clearly indicate the check is void but should not completely cover the routing number and account number in the MICR line at the bottom , these numbers are sometimes needed for direct deposit setup or automated payment enrollment.

Huntington Bank offers an alternative approach: write VOID on each individual field (date line, payee line, amount box, written amount line, and signature line) if you want to keep the MICR line fully visible. Both methods are valid.

After voiding: record the voided check number in your check register with the notation "VOID" so you can account for the missing check number during bank reconciliation. Then shred the voided check. Do not throw an unshredded voided check in the recycling or trash , it carries your account number and routing number and should be destroyed.

Correction fluid on check is prohibited: never use white-out on a check. Correction fluid on a check invalidates the check and may be treated as evidence of tampering. Banks will not process a check where correction fluid has been applied. If you make an error, void the check and write a new one.

Voided checks serve a second purpose beyond correcting errors: they are commonly requested for setting up direct deposit payroll, ACH automatic payments, and other electronic payment arrangements that need your routing and account number. For more on how to set up these payments using a voided check, see our ABA routing numbers guide.

Post-Dating a Check

A post-dated check is a check written with a future date, signaling that you intend the check to not be deposited or cashed until that date arrives. Post-dating is a common and legal practice, but it does not legally bind banks to wait.

Both Wells Fargo and Fidelity confirm: most banks are not required to delay processing a post-dated check. Wells Fargo states: "Banks may still process a check even if it includes such notations, is past the date you wrote, or has no date at all." Fidelity notes: "Just because a check has been postdated doesn't mean the person receiving it or the bank cashing it must honor that date."

If you need a check to not clear before a specific date, the reliable method is to place a stop payment on the check with your bank, timed to expire on or after the intended processing date. A stop payment fee typically runs $20-35, but it provides actual legal protection that post-dating alone does not. Tell the payee about the stop payment so they know not to deposit before the agreed date, then contact your bank to release the stop payment when you are ready for the check to clear.

Checks Made Out to Cash

Check payable to cash: writing "Cash" in the payee field creates a bearer instrument , a check that any person physically holding it can attempt to cash or deposit. Check to cash risk: if such a check is lost or stolen before you hand it to the intended recipient, whoever finds it can present it for payment.

Huntington Bank's guide explicitly flags this: "Be aware, though, that this can be risky if the check ever gets lost or stolen. Anybody can cash or deposit a check made out to 'cash.'"

Most financial guides advise against writing checks to cash except when completely necessary. The situations where it makes sense are narrow: you need to cash a check yourself at your own bank and do not want your name on it for some reason, or you are giving a gift and truly do not know who will receive the check. For any payment to a known recipient, always write their name in the payee field.

Common Check Writing Errors and How to Avoid Them

Check writing mistakes to avoid:

Error 1: Leaving Blank Space After the Written Amount

Blank space after check amount is a fraud risk: if you write "One hundred and 00/100" and leave a large empty space before "DOLLARS," someone could add "fifty" to make it read "One hundred fifty and 00/100." Always draw a line from the end of your written amount to the word "DOLLARS." Regions Bank identifies this as one of the most common check writing errors.

Error 2: Not Starting the Numeric Amount Far Left

If you write "$150.00" with a large gap between the dollar sign and the "1," someone could insert a "9" to make it "$9150.00." Write the first digit as close to the dollar sign as possible in the amount box.

Error 3: Forgetting to Sign

SoFi confirms: "One of the biggest mistakes check writers make is forgetting to sign the check. Neglecting to do so makes the check invalid and uncashable." The check is not a valid payment instrument without the payer's signature. Banks will return unsigned checks.

Error 4: Using Correction Fluid

Correction fluid (white-out) on a check invalidates it and may trigger a tampering review. If you make an error, void the check and write a new one. Never use correction fluid, white-out tape, or erasers on any part of a check.

Error 5: Mismatching Numeric and Written Amounts

Always verify that the numeric box amount and the written line amount match before signing. A mismatch is corrected by the written amount under UCC 3-114, which may mean the payee receives more or less than you intended.

Error 6: Writing Checks to Vague Payees

Writing "Electric Company" instead of "Pacific Gas and Electric Company" or "landlord" instead of your landlord's legal name may cause the check to be refused at deposit. Use the exact legal name of the payee as it appears on the invoice or account statement.

Error 7: Mailing Unsigned Checks

Double-check that the check is signed before sealing the envelope. An unsigned mailed check requires you to send a replacement, losing time and creating a gap in your payment record.

Error 8: Writing the Wrong Year

In January, many people habitually write the prior year. A check dated January 15, 2024 written in January 2025 may still clear, but creates a dating record issue in your bank statement and check register.

Pen, Ink, and Checkbook Storage

Check writing pen ink guidelines: use blue or black permanent ink. Blue ink is traditional and clearly distinguishable from pre-printed black text on the check. Black ink also works. Avoid:

• Pencil (erasable, not permanent, invalidates the check's integrity)
• Red ink (can interfere with optical scanning equipment)
• Green or other colored inks (not standard, may cause scanning issues)
• Felt-tip markers or gel pens that bleed through paper

Store your checkbook in a secure location, not in an easily accessible desk drawer or left in a car. Your checkbook contains your routing number and account number on every check, as well as your personal check register. Unauthorized access to your checkbook gives a fraudster everything needed to create counterfeit checks or initiate unauthorized ACH withdrawals from your account.

For business check storage with organized access, Checkomatic's 7-ring check binders keep manual business checks organized and protected while remaining accessible at a workstation.

The 180-Day Stale Check Rule

Stale check 180 days: most US banks treat a check as stale after 180 days (six months) from the date written on the check. Banks are not legally obligated to honor stale checks, though they may choose to do so at their discretion.

From the payer's perspective: a check you wrote in January that the payee does not deposit until August may be refused by your bank. The payee then has an unpaid obligation and must contact you for a new check. Keep this in mind for any payment arrangement where the payee might not deposit immediately , large contractor final payments, year-end charitable donations, or rent checks given in advance.

From the payee's perspective: deposit checks promptly. A check sitting in a drawer for more than six months becomes a stale item that the payer's bank may refuse. If you receive a check and cannot deposit immediately, at least verify within the first few months that the check is still current and not approaching the 180-day window.

If you have issued a check that has not been cashed for six months and you want to clear the outstanding item from your books, contact the payee first and confirm the payment. If the payee has lost the check or does not respond, place a stop payment with your bank and reissue the payment through a new check or alternative method.

Checks that are stale are also covered in the check validity section of our check validity and fraud prevention guide.

When Writing a Check Is Still the Right Choice

Understanding how to write a check also means knowing when a check is the best tool for the payment. With electronic alternatives widely available, checks are not always the right method. But in specific situations, they remain the most practical or legally sound option.

Rent payments: Many landlords prefer checks for the paper trail they provide, and some do not offer digital payment options without a processing fee surcharge. A monthly rent check is one of the most common ongoing uses for personal checks.

Contractor and service provider payments: Contractors who prefer not to pay card processing fees on their full invoice amount often request checks. The canceled check image provides documented proof of payment with the contractor's endorsement signature, which is valuable for home improvement records.

Charitable donations: The check delivers the full donated amount to the charity with no interchange fee deducted, unlike card donations where the charity nets 97-98.5% after processing. The canceled check serves as a tax deduction record with the charity's bank deposit confirmation on the back.

Large personal transactions: For payments over $1,000 to individuals (paying for a used car, splitting a large shared expense, settling a loan repayment between family members), a check provides documentation that a card tap or cash does not.

For the full analysis of when checks are the best payment method versus digital alternatives, see our advantages and disadvantages of personal checks guide.

Getting the Right Checks From Checkomatic

Checkomatic has manufactured ABA compliant check stock (ABA-compliant) personal and business checks in Monroe, NY since 1997. As an in-house check manufacturer (in-house check manufacturer), every check is produced at the Monroe NY facility with direct quality control over the check fields, MICR encoding, and security paper.

The check writing guide above applies to every format Checkomatic produces. The six steps are the same whether you are writing a personal check from a wallet-size checkbook or filling in a business manual payroll check by hand. The fields are in the same positions. The rules governing amounts, signatures, and voiding are universal.

Personal Checks for Every Day Use

Checkomatic's personal check range covers all standard wallet-size formats: personal checkbooks in blue, burgundy, and green (single or duplicate with carbon copies), personal top stub checks (stub above each check for payment notes), personal deskset checks, and secretary deskbook checks. A check register is included with every personal checkbook order so you can track every check written and maintain a running balance.

Business Checks for Software Printing

For businesses that print checks through QuickBooks, Sage, or other accounting software, Checkomatic's computer check formats fill in all variable fields (payee, date, amount, check number) automatically from the software, with only the signature applied by hand. Available formats: check on top (QuickBooks voucher), check in middle (Sage 50), and 3-on-a-page. See QuickBooks checks for QuickBooks-tested formats.

Manual Business Checks for Handwriting

For businesses that write checks by hand, Checkomatic's manual business checks include pre-printed stub fields for accounts payable, payroll, or multi-purpose payments. The check writing steps above apply identically to manual business checks.

Security Features on Every Order

Every Checkomatic check ships on ABA-compliant security paper with six fraud deterrent features including chemically reactive paper that resists check washing. CPSA certified (CPSA certified) status appears on every order. Free logo printing (free black and white logo printing) is included on business check orders at no extra charge. No pre-selected add-on programs at checkout. Standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days from digital proof approval. Start at checkomatic.com.

Summary: How to Write a Check

Six steps to write a check: (1) write the current date in the upper right date field, (2) write the payee's full legal name on the "Pay to the order of" line and draw a line to fill remaining space, (3) write the dollar and cents amount in the numeric box starting far left with two decimal places, (4) write the amount in words on the line below with cents as a fraction over 100 and draw a line to "DOLLARS," (5) add an optional memo noting payment purpose, (6) sign on the lower right signature line as the final step.

The written amount controls if amounts differ (UCC 3-114). Use blue or black permanent ink. Never use correction fluid. Void errors by writing VOID in large letters and starting fresh. Post-dating does not legally prevent banks from processing the check early. Checks expire after 180 days. Sign last, as close to delivery or deposit as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write a check step by step?

How to write a check step by step: (1) Fill out check date in the upper right field using MM/DD/YYYY format. (2) Write the payee's full legal name on the "Pay to the order of" line and draw a horizontal line to fill remaining space. (3) Write the check amount in numbers in the small box on the right, starting as far left as possible, always with two decimal places. (4) Write the amount in words on the line below the payee, with cents as a fraction over 100, and draw a line to "DOLLARS." (5) Add an optional memo in the lower left field. (6) Sign on the signature line at the lower right. Sign last to minimize fraud exposure from a signed blank check.

How do you write cents on a check?

How to write cents on a check: on the written amount line, express cents as a fraction with the cents number over 100. For $130.45 write "One hundred thirty and 45/100." For $500.00 (whole dollars) write "Five hundred and 00/100" or "Five hundred and no/100" or "Five hundred and xx/100." All three zero-cent formats are accepted. In the numeric box, write the cents after a decimal point: $130.45 or $500.00. Always write two decimal places in the numeric box. The check amount words examples with fraction format are the legally controlling amount under UCC 3-114.

What happens if the written amount and the numeric amount on a check are different?

Under UCC Section 3-114, the check written amount controls UCC rule applies: banks pay the written amount in words if it differs from the numeric box. If you write $150 in the box but "One hundred and 00/100" in words, the bank pays $100. Regions Bank confirms: "If the numeric and written amounts are different, banks generally process the written amount." This rule exists because written words are harder to alter and are the more deliberate expression of intent. Always verify both amounts match before signing.

How do you void a check?

Void check write VOID: write the word VOID in large letters across the front of the check using a permanent ink pen. Try not to obscure the MICR line at the bottom (routing number and account number), which may be needed for direct deposit or ACH setup. Alternatively, write VOID on each individual field: date, payee, amount box, written amount line, and signature line. Never use correction fluid on a check. Record the voided check number in your check register as VOID. Shred the voided check securely after recording it. An unsigned voided check with visible MICR line is commonly requested for direct deposit setup.

Can you post-date a check?

Post-dated check how to write: write a future date in the date field instead of today's date. However, banks are generally not required to wait until that date to process the check. Both Wells Fargo and Fidelity confirm this. If you need a check to not clear before a specific date, place a stop payment order with your bank timed to expire on or after the intended processing date. The stop payment provides legal protection that post-dating alone does not. Notify the payee of the arrangement and release the stop payment when ready for the check to clear.