How to Read a Check With MICR

 To learn how to read a check with MICR, you first need to learn how it is printed. MICR is a form of magnetic ink. Its clear band is usually less than an inch deep, located along the bottom of the check. These characters can only be read by specific computers, such as a bar code scanner. If the line has any marks or is blurred, you should have no problem reading it.

Once you know how to read the MICR line, you can learn how to decipher the account number and the transaction code. These two numbers are essentially the same - and they are the most important part of the cheque. If you're unsure about which one you're looking for, the transaction code number should be on the bottom right corner. The transaction code number identifies the type of financial transaction taking place, so you should always look for these on the face of the cheque.

The MICR line contains the bank account number. Its format varies from bank to bank, so it's important to pay attention to the pattern of the numbers. In Canada, the account number is always written last, so this layout is universal for all banks. This means that you can easily read a check with MICR by knowing what each digit of the line represents. You can also find the MICR line on the bottom of a cheque with the help of a computer.