Most savings accounts do not come with checks
Savings accounts are designed to hold money you are setting aside, not to spend from regularly. Banks do not typically issue checkbooks for savings accounts because checks are meant for frequent transactions, and savings accounts have legal limits on how many withdrawals you can make per month.
If your bank does offer checks on a savings account, they are usually a special feature you have to request, and they may come with extra fees. The standard way to move money out of a savings account is through a debit card, ATM withdrawal, transfer to your checking account, or an online transfer to another person or business.
Key Takeaways
- Savings accounts rarely come with checks because federal rules limit how many times per month you can withdraw money from savings.
- If you need to pay someone by check regularly, you should use a checking account instead, which is designed for frequent payments.
- You can move money from savings to checking and then write a check, or use a debit card, ATM, or online transfer instead.
- Some banks offer check-writing on savings accounts as an add-on feature, but this usually costs extra and may trigger additional fees.
Why savings accounts do not have checks built in
Federal banking rules (Regulation D) historically limited savings account withdrawals to six per month. Although this rule was suspended in 2020, most banks kept the withdrawal limits in place because they use savings accounts to manage their own cash flow. Checks are a withdrawal method, so banks do not want to encourage check-writing on accounts meant for saving.
Checking accounts, by contrast, have no withdrawal limit. You can write as many checks as you want, make as many debit card purchases as you want, and transfer money out as often as you want. That is why checks come standard with checking accounts and why banks charge less to maintain them—the account type is built for spending.
What to do if you need to write a check from your savings
The simplest method is to transfer money from your savings account to your checking account, then write the check from checking. Most banks let you do this transfer online or through their mobile app in seconds, and it does not count against any withdrawal limit because you are moving money between your own accounts at the same bank.
If you do not have a checking account, you have three other options. You can withdraw cash from an ATM and deposit it at the bank where you want to write the check. You can ask the bank to issue a cashier's check, which is a check the bank itself writes on your behalf—this costs a small fee (usually $5 to $15) but is may provide to clear. Or you can use an online bill pay service if the person or business you are paying accepts electronic payments.
When banks do offer checks on savings accounts
Some banks and credit unions offer a savings account with check-writing as a premium feature. This is most common at smaller institutions or credit unions that want to attract customers who do not want to maintain two separate accounts. If checks are available on your savings account, the bank will tell you during account opening or in your account agreement.
If your savings account comes with check-writing, be aware that each check you write may count as a withdrawal and could trigger a fee if you exceed your monthly limit. Some banks charge $5 to $10 per check written on a savings account, on top of any withdrawal fees. Read your account agreement or call your bank to understand the exact cost before you start writing checks.
How to tell if your account can write checks
Log into your online banking or mobile app and look for a checks or checkbook section. If nothing appears, your account does not come with checks. You can also call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch and ask directly: "Does my savings account come with check-writing?"
If you want to add check-writing to your savings account and your bank offers it, you can usually request it through your online banking portal or by calling customer service. The bank will mail you a checkbook, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive. Ask whether there is a one-time fee to order checks or a monthly fee to keep the feature active.
Comparing your options for paying by check
| Method | How it works | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer to checking, then write check | Move money from savings to checking online, write check from checking account | Free | Instant transfer, check clears in 1–3 business days |
| Cashier's check | Bank writes a check on your behalf, may provide by the bank | $5–$15 per check | Same day or next business day |
| ATM withdrawal + deposit | Withdraw cash from ATM, deposit at another bank, write check | Free (unless ATM charges out-of-network fee) | 1–2 business days |
| Check-writing on savings account | Write check directly from savings account | $5–$10 per check, plus possible withdrawal fees | Check clears in 1–3 business days |
What happens if you write too many checks on a savings account
If your savings account has a withdrawal limit and you exceed it by writing checks, your bank will charge you a fee for each excess withdrawal. This fee is usually $5 to $10 per transaction. Some banks will also close your account or convert it to a checking account if you repeatedly exceed the limit.
To avoid this, keep track of how many times you withdraw money from your savings account each month—including checks, ATM withdrawals, and transfers. If you find yourself writing checks regularly, it is a sign that you should open a checking account instead. Checking accounts are free or low-cost at most banks and are designed exactly for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write checks on a savings account at any bank?
No. Most banks do not offer checks on savings accounts as a standard feature. Some credit unions and smaller banks do offer it as an add-on, but you have to request it and may pay a fee. Call your bank or check your account agreement to learn about it is available on your account.
What is the difference between a savings account check and a checking account check?
There is no difference in how the check works. The difference is in the account rules: a checking account has no withdrawal limit, while a savings account may charge you a fee for each check you write if you exceed your monthly withdrawal limit. Checking accounts are designed for frequent payments; savings accounts are not.
If I transfer money from savings to checking to write a check, does that count as a withdrawal?
Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank typically do not count as withdrawals under federal rules, so they should not trigger a fee or count against your monthly limit. However, some banks have their own policies, so check your account agreement or call customer service to be sure.
Is a cashier's check the same as a regular check?
A cashier's check is a check the bank writes on its own account, using your money. It is may provide to clear because the bank itself is responsible for the funds. A regular check is a promise from your account to pay. Cashier's checks are safer for large payments but cost $5 to $15 each.
What should I do if I need to write checks regularly?
Open a checking account. Checking accounts are designed for frequent payments and have no withdrawal limit. Most banks offer free or low-cost checking, and you can keep your savings account separate for money you are setting aside. This is the simplest and cheapest way to write checks whenever you need to.