UPI has made everyday payments instant, but cheques are still used for rent deposits, school and college fees, security cheques for loans, business payments and many official transactions. A small mistake – a wrong date, a mismatch between words and figures, or a gap someone could fill in – can get your cheque rejected or, worse, misused. This guide walks you through writing a cheque correctly, step by step, with the safety rules every account holder in India should know.
Not sure how to write the amount? Type it in and get it in words – lakh, crore and paise – ready for your cheque.
Open number to words →The parts of a cheque
- Date – boxes in the top right corner, usually in DD-MM-YYYY format.
- Pay – the line where you write the payee's name (the person or company being paid).
- Rupees (in words) – the amount written in words.
- ₹ box – the amount in figures.
- Signature – bottom right, above your name or account details.
- MICR band – the line of special numbers at the bottom (cheque number, bank code and more). Never write, sign or staple on it.
How to fill a cheque, step by step
- Write the date in the boxes, for example 0 4 1 0 2 0 2 6 for 4 October 2026. A cheque is valid for three months from this date.
- Write the payee's name exactly as it appears on their bank account, for example "Sunrise Public School". Start right at the beginning of the line and draw a line through the empty space after the name.
- Write the amount in words, starting with "Rupees" and ending with "Only" – for example, Rupees One Lakh Twenty Five Thousand Fifty Only. Draw a line through any empty space.
- Write the amount in figures close to the ₹ sign and end with /-, for example 1,25,050/-. For paise, write 4,999.50.
- Cross the cheque if it should go only into a bank account (see below).
- Sign in the signature area, exactly as your signature is recorded with the bank.
- Note the details – cheque number, date, payee and amount – in the counterfoil or your records.
Writing the amount in words correctly
The amount in words is the important one, so make sure it matches the figures exactly. Use the Indian lakh–crore system:
| Figures | Words on the cheque |
|---|---|
| 5,000/- | Rupees Five Thousand Only |
| 25,500/- | Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Five Hundred Only |
| 1,25,050/- | Rupees One Lakh Twenty Five Thousand Fifty Only |
| 4,999.50 | Rupees Four Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Nine and Fifty Paise Only |
| 10,00,000/- | Rupees Ten Lakh Only |
If you're unsure about large amounts, the number to words tool writes them out for you.
Bearer, order and crossed cheques
- Bearer cheque: anyone holding it can encash it at the bank counter. Risky if lost.
- Order cheque: strike off the words "OR BEARER" printed after the payee line. Only the named payee (with identification) can receive the money.
- Crossed cheque: draw two parallel lines across the top left corner. The money can only be paid into a bank account, not in cash over the counter.
- Account payee cheque: write "A/C Payee" between the two crossing lines. The money can only go into the named payee's own account – the safest option for most payments.
Safety rules to follow
- Never sign a blank cheque. Anyone could fill in any amount.
- Leave no gaps before or after the name and amount – draw lines through empty space.
- Use a pen with dark, permanent ink, and preferably the same pen for the whole cheque.
- Don't overwrite or correct. RBI guidance for CTS cheques says no changes should be made except to the date (with your full signature). For any other mistake, cancel the cheque and write a new one.
- Cancel spare cheques properly: write "CANCELLED" across the cheque, and keep or destroy it securely. When giving a cancelled cheque for KYC or payroll, write "Cancelled" clearly and don't sign it.
- Use Positive Pay for large cheques. Under RBI's Positive Pay System, you can share key cheque details (date, payee, amount) with your bank through net banking or the app before the cheque is presented. It's available for cheques of ₹50,000 and above, and many banks make it compulsory for ₹5 lakh and above.
- Keep enough balance. A cheque that bounces for insufficient funds attracts bank charges and can lead to legal action under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Common reasons cheques get rejected
- Amount in words and figures don't match.
- Signature doesn't match the bank's records.
- Cheque is more than three months old (stale), or post-dated and presented too early.
- Overwriting or corrections on the cheque.
- Damage to the cheque or writing on the MICR band.
- Insufficient funds in the account.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a cheque valid in India?
A cheque is valid for three months from the date written on it, as per RBI rules in force since April 2012.
How do I write 1,25,000 on a cheque in words?
Write "Rupees One Lakh Twenty Five Thousand Only" in words and "1,25,000/-" in figures.
Can I correct a mistake on a cheque?
Under RBI guidance for CTS cheques, only the date may be corrected, with your full signature. For any other mistake, cancel the cheque and use a new one.
What does "A/C Payee" mean on a cheque?
It means the amount can only be credited to the bank account of the person or company named on the cheque, which makes it much safer.