How To Write a Cheque? A Step-By-Step Guide

16^th Jan 2026...

Published By : Team 811

Key Takeaways

Cheques let you pay without cash, reducing risk while instructing your bank to transfer funds.
Writing cheques carefully matters because errors can delay payments or cause cheques to bounce.
Correctly filling a cheque involves writing the date, payee name, matching amounts, and signature.
Amounts written in words and figures must match exactly for banks to process cheques.
Common mistakes include wrong dates, spelling errors, signature mismatches, and leaving blank spaces.
Best practices include writing clearly with a pen, avoiding overwriting, crossing cheques, and keeping records.

A cheque is a simple way to pay someone without using cash. It’s like a little letter you write that tells your bank to give some of your money to someone else.

Cheques are popular because they make it easy to move money around. You don’t have to carry a lot of cash, which can be risky. Instead, you just write a cheque and the other person can deposit it into their bank account.

But, writing a cheque needs care. If you make a mistake, like writing the wrong name or putting down the wrong amount, it can cause problems. The bank might not be able to process the cheque. This can lead to delays.

For example, if you’re paying a bill by cheque and there’s a mistake, your payment could be late. Or worse, if you write a cheque for more money than you have in your account, the cheque might bounce and you could lose money.

So, it’s important to know how to write a cheque correctly. This way, your payments will be smooth and hassle-free.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to write a bank cheque the right way, step by step. We’ll also give you tips to avoid common mistakes. This guide is helpful for everyone, whether you’re writing your first cheque or you’ve done it many times before. Let’s start!

Step-by-Step guide to Filling out a Cheque

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to fill out a bank cheque:

Write the date: Look for a small box or line marked ‘Date’. Here, write the current date. Generally, banks use the format DD/MM/YYYY.
Write the payee’s name: On the line marked ‘Pay’, ‘Payee’, or ‘In favour’, write the name of the person or company you’re paying. If you’re writing the cheque to yourself, write ‘Self’.
Write the amount in words and figures: You’ll see a box for the amount in numbers and a line for the amount in words. For example, if you’re writing a cheque for Rs. 1500, write ‘1500’ in the box and ‘One Thousand Five Hundred Only’ on the line.
Sign the cheque: Sign your name on the line at the bottom right of the cheque. Make sure your signature matches the one the bank has on file.

Remember, always double-check your cheque before you give it to someone. A small mistake can cause a big problem. So, take your time and fill out your cheque carefully.

Must Read: What Is Cheque & Different Types Of Cheque

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid when Filling Out a Bank Cheque

When you’re filling out a cheque, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common ones and how to avoid them:

Wrong date: Sometimes people write the wrong date by mistake. Always double-check the date before you finish writing your cheque.
Spelling mistakes in the payee’s name: If you spell the payee’s name wrong, they might not be able to cash the cheque. Make sure you know the correct spelling of their name.
Differences in amount in words and figures: The amount you write in words and figures must be the same. If they’re different, the bank might not accept the cheque. Always double-check to make sure they match.
Signature mismatch: Your signature on the cheque should match the one the bank has on file. If they don’t match, the bank might not accept the cheque. Always use the same signature you gave to your bank.
Leaving spaces: If you leave spaces on your cheque, someone could add extra numbers or words. To avoid this, start writing from the left side of the field and draw a line after the words or figures.

5 Common Tips Cheque Writing

Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when you’re writing a cheque:

Write clearly: Always write clearly so that your words are easy to read. This helps avoid confusion.
Use a pen: Always use a ball point pen, not a pencil or ink/gel pen. This makes it harder for people to change what you’ve written.
No overwriting: If you make a mistake, don’t try to fix it by writing over it. Instead, it’s better to start with a new cheque.
Cross the cheque: You can draw two parallel lines on the top left corner of the cheque. This means the money can only go into a bank account, not be given in cash.
Keep records: Write down the details of every cheque you write. This helps you keep track of your money.

Must Read: What is an Account Payee Cheque & How It Works?

Conclusion

So, that’s how you fill out a cheque. It’s easy once you know the steps:

Write the date.
Write who the money is for.
Write how much money in numbers and words.
Sign the cheque.

It’s very important to be careful when you fill out a cheque. A small mistake can cause a big problem. So, always check everything twice before you give the cheque to someone.

Well, this guide must have helped you to understand how to fill out a cheque. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to do it quickly and correctly every time.

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This Article is for information purposes only. The views expressed in this Article do not necessarily constitute the views of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“Bank”) or its employees. Bank makes no warranty of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the material and articles contained in this Newsletter. The information contained in this Article is sourced from empanelled external experts for the benefit of the customers and it does not constitute legal advice from Kotak. Kotak, its directors, employees, and contributors shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss resulting from or arising due to reliance on or use of any information contained herein.