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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteMagnetic ink character recognition (MICR) is a way for a machine to read printed characters by detecting their magnetic signals. On checks, MICR is used for the identifying line near the bottom of the document; it is not merely a distinctive-looking font.
What MICR means on a check
A check’s MICR line contains identifying numbers used in processing. In the United States, the line may include the routing number, account number, check number, check amount, and other information, as described in U.S. law. The exact fields and their arrangement depend on the applicable check format and rules.
The characters are printed with magnetic ink or another suitable magnetic printing method so a reader can detect them. That physical, machine-readable property is what distinguishes MICR from ordinary text printed in a MICR-like typeface.
How a MICR reader works
- Magnetizes the characters: A MICR document reader/sorter moves the printed line through an electronic field, which magnetizes the characters and symbols.
- Senses the signals: The magnetized characters produce wave patterns that the equipment detects and interprets.
- Captures and routes the data: A programmed sorting system uses the MICR data to direct documents to designated pockets or processing paths.
Defective printing or encoding can make data unreadable. The Reserve Bank of India’s guide describes unreadable items being sent to a reject pocket for manual completion; MICR therefore supports automated reading but does not guarantee a successful read in every case. See the RBI guide to payment systems for that India-specific procedure.
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MICR character sets and standards
E-13B
E-13B is a MICR character set used in U.S. check printing standards. ANSI X9.100-20-2021 specifies the shape and dimensions of its ten numerals and four special symbols, as well as magnetic signal levels, tolerances, and printing defects. The ANSI Accredited Standards Committee X9 listing explains that E-13B characters printed in magnetic ink and used for recognition become MICR.
Internationally, ISO 1004-1:2013 covers the principal E-13B printing characteristics. ISO says this edition was reviewed and confirmed in 2025 and remains current.
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CMC-7
CMC-7 is another MICR character set. The historical standards material records both CMC-7 and E-13B in ISO Recommendation R 1004-1969, but the sources cited here do not establish CMC-7’s current prevalence by country. Avoid assuming that one character set is used everywhere.
Character printing is not the same as check layout
A character standard governs how characters are shaped and printed; it does not by itself define every check’s field order or placement. When comparing MICR implementations, consider the character set and market, the printing specifications, and the document layout separately. The historical U.S. standards foreword distinguishes character specifications from a separate bank-check standard for placement and use; see the historical standards publication.
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Does printing a check require magnetic ink or toner?
For U.S. original checks, the Federal Reserve says only the MICR line must be magnetic; other printed items, such as the date, payee, and written amount, may use ordinary ink. If a missing MICR line must be printed, the Federal Reserve advises printing it in magnetic ink. Its guidance does not certify a particular consumer printer or toner, so follow the requirements of the bank, equipment, and jurisdiction involved. See the Federal Reserve’s Check 21 FAQ.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where MICR came from
The American Bankers Association formally adopted E-13B in December 1958, according to the historical standards publication. ISO Recommendation R 1004-1969 included both E-13B and CMC-7. That publication also lists historical non-check uses—including sales promotion coupons, credit cards, passenger tickets, insurance premium receipts, and billing—but those examples do not establish that all are common today.
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