Want to save money on paper checks? Skip your bank

Consumers are relying less on paper checks these days, thanks to the convenience of online bill payment, mobile wallets and peer-to-peer payment options. However, there are times when a paper check may be needed. Those who still write checks might be shocked by the price when it’s time to reorder them.

When buying checks, you can find the best deal by comparing your bank’s price with that of third-party vendors. These companies may charge less than your bank — and some might offer more design options. Here we’ll help you compare prices and provide tips for ordering checks from non-bank providers.

Where are the best places to buy personal checks?

What non-banks charge: You’ll often pay 5 to 24 cents per check, based on Bankrate’s research of the prices from third-party printers for standard checks with security features. When it comes to duplicate checks — those that come with carbon copies — you’ll likely pay 8 to 31 cents per check.

What banks charge: When ordering checks from your bank, you may pay around 38 to 65 cents per check, based on our research of what banks charge standard checking account holders for single checks. For duplicate checks, you may pay around 43 to 74 cents per check.

Banks that don’t charge for checks: Notably, however, some banks and credit unions don’t charge customers anything for ordering or reordering checks. Such providers of free checks are commonly online-only banks and credit unions. Examples include Ally Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union and USAA Federal Savings Bank.

What’s more, while many banks do charge for checks when ordered by customers with standard checking accounts, customers with premier checking accounts may qualify for free standard checks. Examples include Chase Bank’s Sapphire Checking account customers and Bank of America’s Advantage Relationship Banking customers.

The tables below show what various companies charge for two boxes of checks, including a breakdown of the cost per check. The top table shows prices for single checks, while the bottom one shows duplicate checks. 

Duplicate checks, which are typically more expensive than single ones, have a thin piece of paper behind them that acts as a carbon copy — which can help you keep track of the dollar amount and recipient of each check you’ve written. 

Single checks

Duplicate checks

Prices retrieved online May 20, 2025. Prices may vary and change. Check the official company website for current pricing.

The cheapest non-bank provider we could find was Sam’s Club, which sells single standard checks for about 5 cents each, which is far less than the price you’ll pay when ordering through Chase Bank’s check-reordering vendor.

Of course, price isn’t everything; you don’t want to give your checking account information to a company you cannot confirm is safe or trustworthy. If you’ve never heard of the site you’re thinking of ordering from, check it out via a Better Business Bureau (BBB) search before you give up any sensitive information.

Steps to get cheap personal checks

1. Check if your bank offers free checks. Some banks offer free standard checks to account holders, which can include the first book of checks or subsequent refills.
2. Look online for deals and promo codes on checks. You may be able to save money by finding deals for discounts or free shipping when ordering checks online. Sites that often list such offers include CouponCabin and RetailMeNot.
3. Order your checks in bulk. This may be worthwhile if the price per check is lower when you order a larger quantity. What’s more, ordering basic, standard designs will likely be cheaper than ones with multicolored, custom images.
4. Go with economy shipping. If the seller offers different shipping speeds, and you don’t need expedited shipping, opting for the longest shipping time will likely save you a good deal of money.

Everything you need to place a check order

Everything you need to order new checks online can be found on one of your old checks (or a temporary check, if it’s a new account). This information may include:

• Your checking account number
• Your bank’s routing number, which you can also find on the bank’s website
• The check number on your last check, so you know which number your new checks should start with

You’ll also want to double-check your order before making it final, including reconfirming the accurate routing number and checking account number. 

Security features to consider

Mail theft-related check fraud is on the rise, according to a recent public service announcement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). It states that reports of suspicious activity related to check fraud nearly doubled from 2021 to 2023.

Once they’ve stolen checks that were en route to their recipients in the mail, fraudsters sometimes resort to check washing, which uses chemicals to alter the check, according to the announcement from the FBI and USPIS. After elements are altered on checks, such as the payee and the dollar amount, the checks may be deposited into fraudsters’ accounts.

One way to protect your checks is to use checks with security features, the FBI advises, which can include:

• Microprinting
• Holograms  
• Heat-sensitive ink
• Watermarks
• Chemically reactive paper

Merchants that offer checks with security features, such as hologram foil bars and heat-reactive ink circles, include Costco, Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Is it safe to buy checks from non-banks?

If ordering checks from a third-party makes you nervous, keep in mind that in some cases banks don’t print checks. They may send them to an outside printer, such as Deluxe or Harland Clarke, so all you’re really doing is cutting out a middleman.

One way to tell whether you’re ordering checks from a company whose products meet security standards is to look for a padlock icon on the right side of the checks under the “amount” box or in the right-side border. The padlock’s presence confirms the check’s security features — and the company itself — meet the requirements of the Check Payment Systems Association (CPSA), a nonprofit trade association that certifies check-printing companies that meet its security standards.

Bottom line

Ordering checks can be pricey, and you may save a good deal by going with an online printer instead of your bank. It’s important to research any third-party vendor before giving them your checking account information. Your best bet would be a reputable company that offers checks with important security features.