Building Society Roll Number: What It Is, Where to Find It, And How to Use It

A building society roll number is an account identifier used by some UK building societies to allocate payments to the right member account. When required, you enter it in the payment reference field so money sent using the building society’s receiving details can be allocated to the correct member account. Learn more with Remitly. 

Quick Answers

• A building society roll number identifies a specific account at a building society. 
• When required, it usually goes in the reference or payment reference field, not the account-number field. 
• Roll numbers may appear on statements, online apps, passbooks, or account correspondence, and formats vary by building society. 

Building society roll number vs account number vs sort code

How a building society roll number works with a shared receiving account

Some building societies use shared or general receiving details for incoming payments. The sort code and account number get the payment to the building society or its banking provider, while the roll number helps allocate the money to the correct member account. 

Skipton Building Society uses a shared receiving account and asks customers to enter their nine-digit Skipton account number as the payment reference. Yorkshire Building Society uses another variation: customers enter the first eight digits of their 10-digit YBS account number in the account-number field and the full 10-digit number in the reference/roll number field. If you’re comparing this to a US bank transfer, our guide to bank transfers walks through how routing and account numbers work for US accounts.

Where to find your building society roll number

1. Statements: Check near your name and account details. Savings and mortgage statements often show the number or reference linked to your account. 
2. Building society’s app: Open the relevant app/website and look for Account details, Manage account, or a similar section. 
3. Welcome pack: Your account-opening documents, welcome letters, or the front of your passbook may include the number. 
4. Savings or mortgage correspondence: Letters about payments, deposits, or your mortgage may show the reference number you need to use. 

There is no single standard format for a building society roll number. It may contain letters, numbers, and some building society account or reference formats also include separators such as slashes. For example, AB12/345678 (fictional) or SAV/0012345 (fictional). 

If the account details also include a sort code, this is a six-digit UK code used to identify the financial institution and branch handling the payment. It serves a similar routing purpose to a US routing number. 

How to use a roll number when making a payment

What if the roll number is not accepted?

• Letters are rejected: Check that the roll number is in the reference field rather than the account-number field. Roll numbers can contain letters and numbers. 
• The roll number is too long: Some payment forms may restrict what can be entered in the reference field. Avoid shortening or changing the roll number without checking the correct format with the building society. 
• The payment is returned: Recheck the roll number along with the sort code and account number against the payment instructions. Incorrect payment information may cause a payment to be delayed or returned. 

Common problems (and fixes) with building society roll numbers

• There’s a roll number but no account number

Check the building society’s payment instructions for the receiving sort code and account number. Some societies use general receiving details alongside the individual roll number or account reference. For example, Skipton provides a common receiving account number and asks customers to use their nine-digit Skipton account number as the payment reference. 

• You have an account number but no roll number

A separate roll number may not be required. Some building society accounts have their own sort code and account number and don’t need an additional roll number for payments. Nationwide, for example, uses this setup for some savings accounts. Check the account’s payment instructions before looking for a roll number that may not exist. 

• The payment form asks for an IBAN

If the payment requires an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), use the international payment details provided by the building society and include the roll number or account reference separately if requested. For instance, Skipton provides separate instructions for international payments while still using the customer’s individual account number as reference. 

• You’re setting up a Direct Debit instead of making a bank transfer

Don’t automatically reuse the roll number instructions for a bank transfer with a Direct Debit. The details required can differ by payment type. For example, Yorkshire Building Society uses the full 10-digit account number as the reference or roll number for incoming payments but states that this full reference isn’t required for Direct Debits. Check the instructions for the specific payment type rather than reusing bank-transfer details automatically. 

• You have a member number but need a roll number

A member number isn’t necessarily the roll number used to identify an account for payments. These identifiers can serve different purposes. For example, at Nationwide, the customer number and account number are treated as separate details. Check the payment instructions for the specific account rather than substituting a member number. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a building society roll number?

A building society roll number is an identifier used by some UK building societies to identify a specific account at a building society. It’s typically entered in the payment reference field, so the building society can allocate the money to the correct member account. 

Where can I find my building society roll number?

A roll number may appear on account statements, in online banking or the building society’s app, on the front or cover of your paper passbook, or in account-opening documents. Some providers use different labels, such as an account number or reference number. 

Is a building society roll number the same as an account number?

Not always. Some building societies use the account number itself as the roll number, while others use separate receiving details and a personal roll number or account reference. 

What should I enter in the payment reference field?

If the building society provides a roll number for the payment, enter it in the reference field exactly as instructed. Don’t put it in the account-number field unless the building society specifically tells you to and avoid adding extra text. 

What should I do if my building society roll number is rejected?

First check that it’s entered in the reference field rather than the account-number field. Use the format provided by the building society and avoid changing or removing characters. If it still isn’t accepted, confirm the correct details with the building society. 

Do I need a building society roll number for a Direct Debit?

Not necessarily. Roll-number instructions used for bank transfers may not apply to Direct Debits. Check the instructions for the specific account and payment type rather than reusing bank-transfer details automatically. 

What happens if I use the wrong building society roll number?

Using the wrong building society roll number can delay or return a payment because the reference may not match the intended member account. If a payment doesn’t arrive, recheck the details and contact the building society. 

Key takeaways

• A building society roll number helps identify a specific account when a payment uses shared or general receiving details. 
• When required, the roll number usually goes in the reference or payment reference field, not the account-number field. 
• The roll number may appear on statements, building society’s app, passbooks, welcome documents, or mortgage or savings correspondence. 
• If a form rejects letters or special characters, check the field and payment instructions before changing the roll number’s format. 
• If a payment is delayed or misapplied, recheck your details, then contact the building society if needed. 

A building society roll number helps ensure a payment is allocated to the correct account, so it’s worth checking the official pay-in instructions before sending money. If anything is unclear, contact the building society directly, or review our guides to sort codes, IBANs, and bank transfers for related payment guides. 

This article is based on current guidance from UK building societies and official UK payment authorities. 

Last reviewed: August 2026