Short answer: to write a check, fill in six things in order: the date (top right), the payee on the “Pay to the order of” line, the amount in numbers in the box, the amount in words on the line below (for example “One hundred thirty-five and 50/100”), an optional memo, and your signature (bottom right). Then record it in your check register. Use a pen, and draw a line through any empty space so nobody can add to the amount. Facts checked November 11, 2026.
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How to write a check, step by step
All you need is your checkbook, a pen and your check register. Every personal check has the same fields, in the same places:
- Date line (top right). Write today’s date, or the date you agreed the payee can cash it, for example “November 11, 2026” or “11/11/2026”.
- “Pay to the order of” line. Write the full name of the person, business or organization you are paying. Use the full name rather than initials or an abbreviation, for example “City of Springfield Water Department”, not “CSWD”.
- Amount box (right side). Write the amount in numbers, close to the dollar sign, for example “135.50”.
- Amount line (middle). Write the same amount in words, with cents as a fraction of 100: “One hundred thirty-five and 50/100”. Start at the far left and draw a line from the end of your words to the word “Dollars”.
- Memo or “For” line (bottom left, optional). Note what the payment is for, such as “March rent” or an account or invoice number the payee asked for.
- Signature line (bottom right). Sign the way your name appears on the account. A check is not valid without the account holder’s signature.
Checks Unlimited’s own how-to guide lists the same order: date, payee, amount in numbers and words, the optional “For” line, then your signature, and it recommends duplicate checks or a register so you have a record of each payment.
Example: a check for $135.50
| Field | What to write |
|---|---|
| Date | November 11, 2026 |
| Pay to the order of | Jane Smith |
| Amount box | 135.50 |
| Amount line | One hundred thirty-five and 50/100 ———— Dollars |
| Memo | Piano lessons, November |
| Signature | Your usual signature |
If the amount has no cents, write “and 00/100”, for example “Fifty and 00/100” for $50.00. For an amount under a dollar, write “Only 75/100 dollars” and “0.75” in the box.
Writing the amount in words
Hyphenate the numbers twenty-one to ninety-nine (twenty-one, forty-five, ninety-nine), write “and” only once, before the cents, and keep the words matching the number in the box. A few common amounts:
| Amount | In words on the check |
|---|---|
| $20.00 | Twenty and 00/100 |
| $45.99 | Forty-five and 99/100 |
| $100.00 | One hundred and 00/100 |
| $250.75 | Two hundred fifty and 75/100 |
| $1,200.00 | One thousand two hundred and 00/100 |
| $3,018.40 | Three thousand eighteen and 40/100 |
If the words and the number disagree, banks generally go by the words, so double-check both before you sign.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving gaps. Start the payee and the amount at the far left and draw a line through empty space so nothing can be added.
- Using pencil or erasable ink. Write in pen; ink that resists erasing and “check washing” is safer. See our check writing pen guide.
- Signing a blank check. Never sign until the payee and amount are filled in.
- Fixing a mistake on the check. Don’t scribble over an error. Write VOID across the check, record it as void in your register and write a new one. See how to void a check.
- Post-dating and expecting it to hold. A future date doesn’t always stop a bank from paying the check early, so don’t rely on it.
After you write the check
- Record the check number, date, payee and amount in your check register, or order duplicate checks that leave a carbon copy.
- Mail it in a security-tinted envelope, or hand it over in person.
- Watch your account until the check clears. The person you pay signs the back to cash or deposit it; see how to endorse a check.
- The numbers along the bottom are your bank’s routing number, your account number and the check number. You need the first two to set up direct deposit or automatic payments.
Where to order checks: prices
Banks sell checks, but you can also order the same checks, printed with your routing and account numbers, from an independent check printer. Here is what a plain blue check costs at three printers today:
| Checks | Checks per box | 1 box | 2 boxes | 4 boxes | Duplicates (1 / 2 / 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checks Unlimited Blue Classic | 80 | $23.49 | $38.99 | $72.29 | $29.49 / $48.99 / $90.49 |
| Checks Unlimited High Security Parchment | 80 | $28.49 | $49.59 | $87.69 | $34.49 / $59.79 / $106.19 |
| Carousel Checks basic blue (VAL-001) | 100 | $20.00 | $39.50 | $79.00 | $22.00 / $44.00 / $88.00 |
| Walmart Checks Blue Secure | 100 | $12.75 | $25.49 | $50.99 | $14.46 / $28.92 / $57.85 |
Prices checked November 11, 2026 on each seller’s own product page, before shipping and taxes. Checks Unlimited says its product prices include handling fees and sells 80 checks per box; Walmart Checks lists free standard shipping and 100 checks per pack; Carousel sells 100 checks per box. Prices change, so confirm them at checkout.
Checks Unlimited’s FAQ says standard printing takes 2 to 5 business days, with an in-plant rush that cuts printing to 2 business days. If you are just starting out, see how to get a checkbook.
How to write a check: frequently asked questions
How do you write a check step by step?
Write the date at the top right, the payee’s full name on the “Pay to the order of” line, the amount in numbers in the box, the amount in words on the line below (for example “One hundred thirty-five and 50/100”), an optional memo, then sign at the bottom right. Record the check in your register.
How do you write cents on a check?
Write the cents as a fraction of 100 after the dollars in words, for example “Forty-five and 99/100” for $45.99. With no cents, write “and 00/100”.
What if I make a mistake writing a check?
Don’t cross out or overwrite the error. Write VOID in large letters across the front, note the check number as void in your register and write a new check.
Do I have to fill in the memo line?
No. The memo or “For” line is optional, but it helps you and the payee track what the payment is for, such as an account or invoice number.
Need checks to write? Checks Unlimited sells 80 checks from $23.49 a box.
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Checks Unlimited prices checked November 11, 2026, before shipping. Affiliate link: GetBankChecks.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Related guides
- Where to order checks
- How to write a check to yourself
- How many checks are in a box?
- How to balance a checkbook
- How to read a check
- How long is a check good for?
- How to endorse a check
- How to void a check
- Check writing pens
- Check registers
- Duplicate checks
- How to get a checkbook
- Cheapest checks 2026
Affiliate disclosure: GetBankChecks.com is an independent guide, not a check printer or a bank. Some links are affiliate links, and we earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and designs change, so check them on the merchant’s site before you pay. This guide is general information, not legal or banking advice; your bank’s rules apply.