Most people know what a check looks like. Fewer know the difference between a certified check and a cashier check, why a voided check is used to set up direct deposit, what a counter check is, or why the written dollar amount on a check legally overrides the numeric amount if they conflict. This guide covers all the types of checks used in personal and business banking, every part of a check and what it does, and which check formats are right for different situations. If you order checks online or write them regularly, understanding this terminology saves time and prevents costly mistakes.
Every Part of a Check Explained
Before covering the types of checks, it helps to understand what every field on a check does. Each element has a specific function, and filling in any of them incorrectly can cause a check to bounce, be rejected, or be returned.
Payer Information (Top Left)
The account holder's name and address appear in the upper-left corner. On a personal check, this is the individual's name and home address. On a business check, this is the legal business name and business address. The name must match the name registered on the bank account. If you form an LLC and pay someone from a personal check, the name mismatch creates a paper trail problem your accountant and the IRS may flag.
Check Number (Top Right)
A sequential number that identifies each individual check. It appears in two places: the top-right corner of the check face and in the MICR line at the bottom of the check. These two numbers should always match. If they do not, it is a strong indicator the check has been altered or counterfeited. Banks will flag this discrepancy during processing.
Fractional Routing Number (Top Right, Below Check Number)
This is the field almost no guide explains, yet it appears on every check printed in the US. It looks like a fraction, formatted as PP-YYYY/XXXX. The numerator identifies the bank's ABA institution code and Federal Reserve district; the denominator represents the routing symbol. It was created for manual check processing before the MICR system existed and still functions as a backup today. If the MICR line at the bottom of a check is damaged, torn, or unreadable, bank tellers and processing centers use the fractional routing number to manually route the check to the correct institution. Checkomatic prints this correctly on every check order because it is a required element of ABA-compliant check stock.
Date Line (Top Right)
The date the check is written. Checks are generally valid for six months from this date. After that, they become stale-dated and most banks will refuse to process them. Writing a future date on a check (post-dating) does not legally prevent a bank from cashing it early in most US states, though many banks will attempt to honor the date. If you need to delay a payment, stopping payment on a check is more reliable than post-dating it.
Payee Line ("Pay to the Order of")
The name of the person, business, or organization being paid. The payee must endorse the check on the back before depositing or cashing it. Writing "Cash" in this field makes the check payable to anyone who holds it, which eliminates the security of named-payee checks. Avoid leaving the payee line blank entirely; a blank payee line is essentially a signed blank check.
Dollar Box (Numeric Amount)
The payment amount written in numbers, placed in the small box immediately to the right of the payee line. The dollar amount should be written as close to the dollar sign as possible to prevent anyone from inserting additional digits before the number.
Written Amount Line
The same dollar amount written out in words on the line below the payee field. This is the legally binding amount if the written and numeric amounts differ. Courts and banks default to the written amount in the event of a conflict. If you write "$150" in the dollar box but "one hundred dollars" on the written line, the check legally authorizes payment of $100. Always verify both fields match before signing.
Memo Line
An optional field for notes. It has no effect on how the check is processed or whether it clears. Common uses include noting an invoice number, account number, pay period, or purpose of payment. Some payees, such as utility companies, specifically request that you include your account number in the memo field so they can apply the payment correctly. On business checks with voucher stubs, detailed payment notes go on the stubs rather than the memo line.
Signature Line (Bottom Right)
The account holder's signature authorizes the bank to release the funds. Without a valid signature, a check is not valid and the bank should not pay it. The signature should match the signature on file with the bank. Never sign a blank check and never sign a check before filling in all other fields.
The MICR Line (Bottom of Check)
The row of numbers and symbols printed in magnetic ink at the very bottom of every check. MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The system was developed by Stanford Research Institute and General Electric and adopted as the US banking standard in 1958. Modern check-sorting equipment reads the MICR line magnetically at speeds exceeding 2,400 checks per minute. The line contains three elements in order from left to right:
- ABA Routing Number: Nine digits that identify the bank. Printed between two transit symbols (the ⑆ character). Every bank in the US has a unique routing number assigned by the American Bankers Association.
- Account Number: Identifies the specific checking account. Length varies by institution. Printed between transit and on-us symbols.
- Check Number: Matches the check number printed in the top-right corner. If these two numbers differ, the check has been tampered with.
Business checks on full letter-size stock also include an optional auxiliary on-us field at the far left of the MICR line. Under NACHA rules, the presence of this field makes the check ineligible for ACH conversion, preventing vendors from converting your payment to an electronic debit without your explicit consent.
Personal Check Types
Standard Personal Checks
The most common form of check, drawn against a personal checking account. Personal checks are printed with the account holder's name, address, routing number, and account number. They come in checkbooks of 25 to 50 checks and measure approximately 6 inches wide by 2.75 inches tall. The bank does not guarantee payment; if the account has insufficient funds when the check is presented, it bounces and both parties face fees.
Checkomatic offers personal checkbooks in four background styles with free black-and-white logo printing on every order. Standard shipping runs 3 to 5 business days.
Duplicate Personal Checks
Duplicate checks include a thin carbonless copy behind each check in the book. When you press down to fill in a check, the copy automatically records everything you wrote. You tear out the original and the duplicate stays in the book as a permanent record of every payment. This is especially useful for people who pay recurring bills by check or want a paper record without entering every transaction into a register. Checkomatic's personal checkbooks are available in both single and duplicate formats.
Personal Laser Checks (QuickBooks Wallet Format)
Wallet-sized personal checks designed to print through QuickBooks and compatible accounting software. They are the same physical dimensions as a standard personal check but formatted for laser or inkjet printing rather than handwriting. Owner-operators and sole proprietors who manage finances through QuickBooks but want a portable, personal-sized check use this format. Checkomatic carries QuickBooks wallet personal checks compatible with all current versions of QuickBooks.
Personal Deskset Checks
Three checks per page with a side stub on each check for quick transaction notes. The pages fit into a 7-ring binder for organized desk filing. This format is popular with individuals who write checks frequently and want a more professional-looking format than a standard wallet checkbook. Checkomatic's personal deskset checks come in multiple colors and include free logo printing.
Top Stub Personal Checks
A spiral-bound format with a record stub above each check rather than a side stub. The stub stays attached after you tear out the check, giving you a running record of each payment. Good for individuals who want checkbook-style portability with built-in recordkeeping. Available at Checkomatic's personal top stub check page.
Secretary Deskbook Checks
Three checks per page at 6 x 2.75 inches each, in a compact deskbook format with a built-in transaction register. Smaller than a full business check page, larger than a standard wallet checkbook. A good middle-ground format for individuals who write checks frequently and want to keep them organized at a desk without a full business check setup. Available from Checkomatic's secretary deskbook product page.
Guaranteed Payment Checks: Cashier Checks and Certified Checks
Personal and business checks depend on the account holder having sufficient funds when the check is presented. Cashier checks and certified checks remove that uncertainty for the payee. Both are appropriate for large transactions where the recipient needs assurance that the payment will clear.
Cashier Checks
A cashier check is issued by the bank and drawn directly from the bank's own funds. When you request one, your account is debited immediately and the bank takes responsibility for the payment. The check is signed by a bank representative rather than by you. Because the bank is the payer, the check cannot bounce. Cashier checks are commonly required for real estate closings, vehicle purchases, large contractor payments, or any situation where the payee does not know you well enough to trust a personal check for a high-value transaction. Banks typically charge a fee of $10 to $15 for cashier checks.
Certified Checks
A certified check is your own personal check, but the bank has verified that the funds exist and set them aside in your account. The bank stamps or marks the check to confirm certification. Unlike a cashier check, the funds remain in your account; they are simply earmarked and unavailable for any other purpose until the check clears. You sign the check, not the bank. Certified checks provide the same guarantee against bouncing as cashier checks, but the bank's direct liability is lower since the payment comes from your account rather than the bank's. Both types are considered substantially more secure than standard personal checks for the payee.
The Fraud Risk With Cashier Checks
Cashier check fraud is common specifically because the checks look so trustworthy. Counterfeit cashier checks are used in overpayment scams where a buyer sends a cashier check for more than the purchase price and asks the seller to wire back the difference. The check looks real, your bank may initially credit the funds, but when the check bounces days later you are responsible for the full amount you wired. If you receive a cashier check from someone you do not know for more than the agreed amount, do not release goods or wire money until your bank explicitly confirms the funds have fully cleared, not just been provisionally credited.
Business Check Types
Standard Business Checks
Any check drawn from a business checking account in the name of a legal business entity. Business checks display the company name, business address, and often a logo. They come in several format types (covered in the next section) and are compatible with accounting software like QuickBooks, Sage, and Quicken. Unlike personal checks, they include an auxiliary on-us field in the MICR line that prevents ACH conversion under NACHA rules.
Payroll Checks
Business checks used specifically to pay employees. They follow the check-on-top voucher format, with the check at the top of the page and detailed pay stubs below. The stubs carry gross pay, itemized deductions (federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, benefits), and net pay. One stub goes to the employee as their earnings record; one stays in the employer's records. Checkomatic's payroll business checks are available in manual format for businesses that write payroll by hand.
Accounts Payable Checks
Used to pay vendors, suppliers, and contractors. These follow the same voucher format as payroll checks but the stub fields are for invoice numbers, purchase order numbers, payment terms, and vendor account references rather than earnings and deductions. The structured recordkeeping reduces the chance of paying the same invoice twice. Checkomatic offers accounts payable business checks in both manual and computer-print formats.
Blank Business Checks
Check stock with no pre-printed bank account information. All check data, including the MICR line with routing and account numbers, is printed in-house using MICR toner on a compatible laser printer. Blank checks are used by businesses with multiple bank accounts (each account needs different MICR data), companies using payroll software that prints banking information directly, or operations that need custom check layouts their software handles. Checkomatic's blank checks are available in check-on-top, check-in-middle, check-on-bottom, and 3-on-a-page formats.
Counter Checks
A type of check almost no guide covers in any useful depth. Counter checks are temporary checks issued by a bank teller at the branch counter when a customer needs checks immediately and their printed checks have not arrived yet. They are printed on-demand with minimal information: usually just the routing number, account number, and a basic check layout. Counter checks do not carry your name or address pre-printed on them. Some payees will not accept counter checks because the lack of pre-printed personal information makes them look less legitimate. They are not a substitute for properly printed checks; they are a bridge solution when you urgently need to make a payment.
Business Check Formats Explained
Understanding the types of checks for businesses also means understanding the different physical formats. Choosing the wrong format means misaligned printing in your accounting software, which makes every printed check unusable.
Check-on-Top (Voucher Check)
The most widely used business check format. The check occupies the top third of an 8.5 x 11-inch page. Two detachable voucher stubs sit below it. Compatible with QuickBooks, Quicken, Rent Manager, and most mainstream accounting platforms. The right choice for payroll and accounts payable when you need a paper record attached to every payment. Checkomatic's check-on-top business checks are available with full ABA-compliant security features.
Check-in-Middle
One voucher stub above the check, one below. Used by Peachtree/Sage 50, Softpro, Landtech, and other title company or legal software platforms. QuickBooks does not support this format. If your accounting software is Sage 50 or similar, this is typically your required format. Available from Checkomatic's check-in-middle product page.
Check-on-Bottom
Two voucher stubs above the check, which sits at the bottom of the page. Used by certain AP automation systems and older accounting platforms. Less common than check-on-top but available from Checkomatic's check-on-bottom product page.
3-on-a-Page Checks
Three checks per letter-size sheet with no attached voucher stubs. Each check is 3.5 inches tall. No recordkeeping stub comes with each check, so payment details must be tracked in software or separately. This format costs less per check than voucher styles. It is commonly used by non-profits, schools, foundations, and small businesses that track payment details entirely in their accounting software and do not need a physical stub per check. Compatible with QuickBooks, Quicken, and Microsoft Money. Checkomatic's 3-on-a-page checks include free logo printing.
Continuous Checks
Connected sheets of checks in a perforated strip format designed for dot-matrix or pin-feed printers. The continuous strip feeds through the printer automatically, allowing high-volume batch printing without reloading individual sheets. This format was common in earlier business computing and remains in use in industries that still run legacy dot-matrix printer setups, particularly in manufacturing, distribution, and some government-adjacent operations. They are compatible with QuickBooks, Sage 50, Peachtree, and other software platforms that support continuous forms. Checkomatic can discuss continuous check availability for specific software compatibility needs.
Manual Business Checks (Handwritten)
Three-to-a-page handwritten checks with carbonless duplicate copies behind each check. The carbon copy auto-records every payment you write, creating an instant paper trail without any software. Manual business checks work for small businesses, contractors, property managers, or any operation that prefers handwritten payments over software-generated ones. Checkomatic carries manual business checks in accounts payable, payroll, multi-purpose, pocket, and executive deskbook formats.
Special and Situational Check Types
Voided Checks
A voided check is a standard personal or business check with the word "VOID" written in large letters across the front. This prevents the check from being used as a payment. The MICR line at the bottom remains intact and readable, which is the entire point. Voided checks are used to provide banking information when setting up direct deposit with an employer, authorizing ACH payments, configuring payroll software, or linking a bank account to a payment platform. The routing number and account number visible in the MICR line are what the other party actually needs, and the VOID marking ensures the check cannot be submitted for payment. Never send a voided check by email as an unprotected attachment; the routing and account numbers in the MICR line are enough for someone to attempt unauthorized ACH debits from your account.
eChecks (Electronic Checks)
An eCheck is the digital equivalent of a paper check. The payer authorizes a payment by providing their routing number and account number through a secure online form, and the transaction is processed through the ACH network. eChecks clear faster than paper checks, typically within one to three business days. They are commonly used for online bill payment, subscription services, rent platforms, and B2B transactions. The underlying security depends on the platform handling the transaction; unlike paper checks, there is no physical document with MICR ink and security paper features.
Traveler Checks
Pre-printed checks in fixed denominations sold by banks and financial institutions for use while traveling. The buyer signs each check at purchase; the merchant witnesses a second signature at the time of use and verifies they match. If lost or stolen, traveler checks can be replaced. Their use has declined significantly with the widespread adoption of debit cards and multi-currency credit cards, but they remain accepted at many hotels and financial institutions abroad.
Post-Dated Checks
A check written with a future date. The intent is that the payee will not deposit or cash the check until the date written on it. However, banks in most US states can legally process a post-dated check before the written date unless the account holder has specifically notified the bank in advance. If you need to delay a payment, a formal stop payment order is more reliable than post-dating. For payees: if you receive a post-dated check, do not attempt to deposit it early without the payer's explicit consent; doing so can damage the business relationship and may trigger legal complications if the account has insufficient funds on the early deposit date.
Stale Checks
Any check presented for payment more than six months after the date written on it. Banks are generally not required to honor stale checks, though they may choose to at their discretion. If you find an old check you have not cashed, contact the issuer before depositing it. Government checks, including IRS refund checks, often have their own stated validity periods printed directly on the check. Payroll checks from employers typically expire sooner than six months per company policy.
Money Orders
Not technically a check, but functionally similar. A money order is a guaranteed paper payment purchased with cash, debit card, or in some cases a credit card at post offices, banks, or retail stores. Like a cashier check, payment is guaranteed because it was prepaid at purchase. Money orders have a dollar limit (typically $1,000 per money order at the US Postal Service) and are commonly used when someone does not have a checking account, wants to send cash securely through the mail, or needs a guaranteed payment method without involving a bank.
Check Terminology Glossary
ABA Routing Number
The nine-digit number in the MICR line that identifies the issuing bank. Established by the American Bankers Association in 1910. Every bank operating in the US has at least one ABA routing number. Some banks use different routing numbers for paper checks versus wire transfers or ACH transactions. When ordering checks, always use the routing number printed on an existing check, not one from your bank's website that may be specific to a different transaction type.
MICR Line
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The row of numbers and symbols at the bottom of every check, printed in iron-oxide-based magnetic ink in the E-13B font. Banks use electromagnetic scanning to read MICR lines during automated processing. Checks printed without genuine MICR ink can cause processing delays, errors, and returns from branch deposits even if they pass mobile deposit. Every Checkomatic check is printed with bank-grade MICR ink on every order.
Fractional Routing Number
A backup form of the ABA routing number printed in fraction format (PP-YYYY/XXXX) in the upper-right corner of a check near the date. It existed before MICR technology and is still printed on every US check as a manual processing backup. If the MICR line is damaged or torn, bank tellers use the fractional routing number to identify the issuing institution and route the check correctly.
Bounced Check / NSF Check
A check returned by the bank because the account had insufficient funds (NSF) to cover the payment when it was presented. Both the payer and the payee typically incur fees: the payer's bank charges an NSF fee (commonly $25 to $35), and the payee's bank may charge a returned check fee. Some payees also charge their own returned check fees, and repeated bounced checks can result in account closure and entry into databases like ChexSystems that affect your ability to open a new account.
Stop Payment
An instruction to the bank not to honor a specific check if it is presented. You can initiate a stop payment by contacting your bank with the check number, amount, and payee. Banks typically charge a stop payment fee of $20 to $35 and the order is valid for six months, after which it may need to be renewed if the check has not surfaced. Stop payment orders cannot cancel a check that has already cleared.
Endorsement
A signature on the back of a check that authorizes deposit or payment to the endorser. A blank endorsement is just your signature; anyone can cash or deposit a check with only your blank endorsement, so only sign the back of a check when you are at the bank or ready to deposit it immediately. A restrictive endorsement adds the words "For Deposit Only" along with your account number, which prevents the check from being cashed and limits it to deposit into your specific account. A third-party endorsement (signing a check over to someone else) requires both your endorsement and the new payee's endorsement and is often not accepted by banks without advance notice.
Check Register
A record of every check you write, including the check number, date, payee, and amount. Check registers are typically found at the back of a personal checkbook or kept separately. Reconciling your check register against your bank statement monthly catches bank errors, fraudulent activity, and outstanding checks that have not yet cleared. Many personal check types from Checkomatic include a check register.
Duplicate Checks
Checks with a thin carbonless copy behind each check in the book. The duplicate automatically records what you write on the original. No separate register entry needed for each payment; the duplicate stays in the book as a permanent record. Useful for high-volume check writers who want a physical paper trail without the effort of entering every transaction manually.
Voucher Stubs
Detachable sections of a business check that remain behind after the check itself is torn off. One stub typically goes to the payee (vendor or employee) as a remittance detail; the second stub stays in the payer's records. Stubs carry fields for invoice numbers, purchase order references, pay period dates, deduction breakdowns, and running balance. They create a physical audit trail that supplements but does not replace software records.
Which Type of Check Do You Need?
With all these types of checks available, here is a direct decision guide based on situation:
- Paying personal bills, rent, or individuals: Standard personal check or personal checkbook with duplicates for automatic recordkeeping.
- Running payroll for employees: Check-on-top business check with voucher stubs, or dedicated payroll business checks with earnings and deduction detail fields.
- Paying vendors from QuickBooks: Check-on-top voucher checks or 3-on-a-page checks, depending on whether you need physical stubs per check.
- Paying vendors from Sage 50 / Peachtree: Check-in-middle format.
- High-volume check printing with dot-matrix hardware: Continuous tractor-feed checks.
- Multiple bank accounts or custom MICR layouts: Blank check stock with in-house MICR printing.
- Guaranteeing a large payment (real estate, vehicles): Cashier check from your bank.
- Providing banking details for direct deposit or ACH setup: Voided check.
- Immediate need, no printed checks available: Counter check from your bank branch.
- Traveling without bank access: Traveler checks or multi-currency debit card.
Why Order Your Checks From Checkomatic?
Understanding all the types of checks is useful. Ordering the right ones at the right price from a manufacturer that builds them correctly is what actually matters. Checkomatic has manufactured personal and business checks at its Monroe, New York facility since 1997. Every order is produced in-house on ABA-compliant security stock with bank-grade MICR ink. No third-party vendors handle your banking information. No setup fees. Free black-and-white logo printing on every check order.
Every Format in One Catalog
Whether you need a personal checkbook, QuickBooks voucher checks, 3-on-a-page business checks, manual payroll checks with duplicate stubs, or blank check stock for MICR printing, Checkomatic has it all:
- Personal Checkbooks in single and duplicate formats
- Personal Deskset Checks for desk-based check writing
- QuickBooks Checks in voucher, 3-on-a-page, and wallet formats
- Check-on-Top Business Checks for QuickBooks AP and payroll
- Check-in-Middle Business Checks for Sage 50 and Peachtree
- 3-on-a-Page Checks for volume printing with no stubs
- Manual Business Checks in payroll, AP, and multi-purpose formats
- Blank Checks for in-house MICR printing in all major layouts
Security on Every Order
Every Checkomatic check includes chemically reactive paper, genuine foundry watermarks, microprint signature lines, heat-sensitive thermochromic ink, void pantographs, and invisible fluorescent fibers as standard features. These are not optional upgrades. They are on every order because check fraud causes real financial harm and we manufacture checks that banks and auditors can trust.
Fast Delivery and Transparent Pricing
Standard orders ship 3 to 5 business days from proof approval. Rush delivery options are available at checkout. Every order includes a digital proof step where you verify every digit of your routing number, account number, and check number before anything prints. Pricing is clear and direct, with no bank-style markups, no setup fees, and quantity discounts built into the order process.
The Short Version on Types of Checks
There are more types of checks than most people realize, and each one exists because a specific situation calls for it. Personal checks cover everyday payments. Business checks add the format, voucher stubs, and security layers that business financial management requires. Cashier checks and certified checks are for high-value guaranteed transactions. Voided checks are for account setup and direct deposit. Counter checks are a temporary bridge. And within the business check category, the format you choose determines whether your accounting software can print checks correctly at all.
Understanding the terminology, including the MICR line, fractional routing number, endorsement rules, and stale check policies, prevents the kind of mistakes that cause checks to be rejected, returned, or exploited. If you are ready to order the right check type for your situation, start at checkomatic.com and explore the full catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common types of checks?
The most common types of checks are personal checks, business checks, cashier checks, certified checks, payroll checks, and voided checks. For businesses, the main format types are check-on-top voucher checks, check-in-middle, check-on-bottom, and 3-on-a-page checks. Each serves a different purpose depending on the payment situation and accounting software in use.
What is the difference between a cashier check and a certified check?
A cashier check is drawn directly from the bank's own funds after debiting the payer's account. The bank signs it and guarantees payment. A certified check is drawn from the payer's own account; the bank verifies the funds exist, sets them aside, and stamps the check to certify it. Both guarantee the check will not bounce, but a cashier check places the bank's direct liability on the payment while a certified check relies on the payer's earmarked funds.
What is a voided check used for?
A voided check has the word VOID written across its face, making it unusable for payment while keeping the MICR line readable. It is used to share your routing number and account number when setting up direct deposit with an employer, authorizing ACH payments, or configuring payroll or accounting software that needs your banking details. Never send a voided check via unsecured email since the MICR line contains enough information for someone to attempt an unauthorized ACH debit.
What is the MICR line on a check?
The MICR line is the row of numbers at the very bottom of every check, printed in magnetic iron-oxide ink. It contains three elements from left to right: the 9-digit ABA routing number (identifying your bank), your account number (identifying your specific account), and the check number. Banks use electromagnetic scanning to read the MICR line during automated processing at speeds exceeding 2,400 checks per minute. If the MICR line is damaged, the fractional routing number in the upper-right corner of the check serves as a manual backup.
How long is a check valid before it goes stale?
Most banks consider a check stale after six months (180 days) from the date written on it. After that point, the bank may refuse to process the check. Government and IRS refund checks may have stated expiration dates shorter than six months. Company payroll checks often expire sooner per internal policy. If you receive a check and do not deposit it within 90 days, contact the issuer to confirm it is still valid before attempting to deposit it.
