Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

What is MICR?

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, or MICR (pronounced my-ker or micker). Cheques/drafts are identified by sorting machines through this code.



The bottom line on all checks printed and used in many countries worldwide is printed using a special font called MICR (short for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). The bottom line on a check must always be printed in the MICR typeface using a special magnetic ink.



The MICR line on a check allows the check information to be automatically read by inexpensive machines.
This is the only way that huge numbers of checks can be processed each day.

MICR characters are fixed width. Each number or symbol occupies exactly 1/8 of an inch.
The actual numbers or symbols themselves have one of 5 different widths, and must be positioned exactly within the fixed character cell.
If the numbers or symbols aren't positioned correctly, then certain pairs of numbers or symbols will not read correctly.



The major MICR fonts used around the world are E-13B and CMC-7. The E-13B font was chosen by George Jacobi,
who was working for General Electric at the time. Almost all Indian, US, Canadian and UK checks now include MICR characters
at the bottom of the paper in the E-13B font.

MICR Print Machine