To write a check, fill in six things: the date, the payee's name, the amount in numbers, the amount in words, an optional memo, and your signature. Write in ink, leave no blank space someone could add to, and record the payment in your check register right away. The whole thing takes about a minute once you know where each part goes.
Checks are less common than they used to be, but rent, security deposits, some government payments and gifts from grandparents still arrive on paper. This guide covers US personal checks.
The parts of a check
Before you write anything, find each field. Most US personal checks share the same layout.
| Part | Where it is | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Your name and address | Top left | Printed by the bank; identifies the account holder |
| Check number | Top right (and in the bottom line) | Helps you track each payment |
| Date line | Top right, under the check number | The day you write the check |
| "Pay to the order of" | Middle left | The person or business receiving the money |
| Amount box | Middle right, next to a $ sign | The amount in numbers |
| Amount line | Below the payee line, ending in "Dollars" | The amount written in words |
| Memo line | Bottom left | An optional note, like an invoice or account number |
| Signature line | Bottom right | Your signature authorizes the payment |
| Routing and account numbers | Bottom edge | Printed codes the bank reads by machine |
How to write a check in six steps
1. Write the date
Write today's date on the line at the top right. Any clear format works: "October 9, 2026" or "10/9/2026." Spelling out the month avoids confusion if the check is read by someone used to day-first dates.
2. Write the payee's name
On the "Pay to the order of" line, write the full name of the person or business you're paying. Use the official business name, not a nickname. If you're paying a landlord's company, write the company's name exactly as they gave it to you.
If you're unsure of the exact name, ask before you write. A check made out to the wrong name can be hard for the recipient to deposit.
3. Write the amount in numbers
In the box with the dollar sign, write the amount as digits, for example "245.50." Start writing right against the left edge of the box so nobody can squeeze an extra digit in front. Make the decimal point clear.
4. Write the amount in words
On the long line below the payee, write the same amount in words. Dollars are spelled out; cents are written as a fraction over 100.
- $245.50 becomes "Two hundred forty-five and 50/100"
- $1,200.00 becomes "One thousand two hundred and 00/100"
- $18.07 becomes "Eighteen and 07/100"
Then draw a line from the end of your words to the word "Dollars." That line blocks anyone from adding words later. The written amount is the one that counts if there's a dispute, so check it twice.
5. Fill in the memo (optional)
The memo line is for your records and the payee's. Write what the payment is for, such as "October rent, Unit 4B" or an invoice or customer account number if a company asks for it. The memo doesn't change whether the check is valid, but it saves arguments later.
6. Sign the check
Sign on the line at the bottom right, using the same signature your bank has on file. An unsigned check won't be processed. Sign last, after you've confirmed every other field is correct.
A labeled example
Here's a check written by a fictional person, Dana Whitfield, paying a fictional landlord company for October rent. The account details are invented.
Check number: 1047
Date: October 9, 2026
Pay to the order of: Maple Court Properties LLC
Amount box: $ 1,275.00
Amount in words: One thousand two hundred seventy-five and 00/100 ———————— Dollars
Memo: October rent, Unit 4B
Signature: Dana Whitfield
Notes: The amount box is filled from the left edge. The written line ends with a long dash up to "Dollars." The memo tells the landlord exactly what the payment covers.
Record the check in your register
Your checkbook usually comes with a small register or carbon copies. Every time you write a check, note:
- the check number
- the date
- the payee
- the amount
- your new balance
This habit matters because a check doesn't leave your account the moment you write it. The payee might deposit it the same day or two weeks later. If you're tracking your balance only by your banking app, you can overspend money that's already promised. Many banking apps let you view images of cleared checks, which helps you reconcile.
How to void a check
If you make a mistake, don't try to cross out and correct the amount. Write "VOID" in large letters across the front of the check, covering the main fields, and keep it or shred it. Note the voided check number in your register so you don't wonder later where it went.
Employers and payroll services sometimes ask for a voided check to set up direct deposit. They need the routing and account numbers printed on the bottom, so void it in a way that leaves those numbers readable, and only give it to an employer or service you trust.
Endorsing a check you receive
If someone writes a check to you, you'll sign the back before depositing it. This is called endorsing. Sign in the endorsement area at the top of the back, and if you're depositing it, it's safer to add "For deposit only" above your signature. That way, if the check is lost, it can only go into an account in your name.
For mobile deposits, many banks ask you to write a specific phrase under your signature, such as a note that it's for mobile deposit. Follow your own bank's instructions.
Check safety tips
Checks carry your name, address, routing number and account number, so treat them with care.
- Use permanent ink. Blue or black ballpoint is harder to wash off than gel or felt-tip ink. Never use pencil.
- Don't leave blanks. Fill the payee and amount lines completely, and draw lines through empty space.
- Never sign a blank check. A signed blank check is as good as cash to anyone who finds it.
- Avoid writing "Cash" as the payee. Anyone holding the check could cash it.
- Mail carefully. Drop checks inside a post office or hand them to a carrier rather than leaving them in an unlocked mailbox.
- Store your checkbook securely, and shred voided checks and old statements.
- Review your statements. Look for check numbers you don't recognize and report them to your bank quickly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing the amount in words that doesn't match the number.
- Forgetting to sign, or signing in a way that looks nothing like your bank signature.
- Using a nickname or abbreviation for the payee.
- Writing a check when the money isn't in the account yet, which can lead to a returned check and fees.
- Leaving the date blank.
Key takeaways
- Fill in the date, payee, amount in numbers, amount in words, memo and signature, in that order.
- Write cents as a fraction over 100 and draw a line to "Dollars."
- Leave no blank space and sign last.
- Record every check in a register so your balance stays accurate.
- If something is wrong, void the check and start over instead of fixing it.
If you have a question about a specific situation, like how a business wants its name written or what to put in the memo line, it's easiest to ask the payee directly. For general money questions, your bank's customer service is the right place to check the rules that apply to your account.