# Is there any limit to the size of a cheque? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-size-of-a-cheque/231171 "2004-02-25T21:02:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-size-of-a-cheque/231171/21 "2004-02-27T02:37:31Z")
> [@Slartibartfastt](#): > > For example, buying 500 head of cattle with a value of $600 a head means I have to write a check for $300,000. Interesting. In a transaction like that, do you just use your run-of-the-mill checkbook like you use to pay for your groceries, or do you have a special checkbook with (physically) larger checks, with room for more numbers? ---
**Author:** ![Slartibartfastt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@Slartibartfastt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slartibartfastt)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-size-of-a-cheque/231171/22 "2004-02-27T02:51:22Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Interesting. > > In a transaction like that, do you just use your run-of-the-mill checkbook like you use to pay for your groceries, or do you have a special checkbook with (physically) larger checks, with room for more numbers? I use a normal sized checkbook, its the same size as the one I use for day-to day things, but it is a seperate account because of tax and bookeeping issues. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-size-of-a-cheque/231171/23 "2004-02-27T03:04:18Z")
As long as we’re in the post question answered drivel: Just to add a note to what **SandyHook** related: a year ago I wrote a check to a car dealer for the full price of the car I was buying and they didn’t even deposit it for a couple of weeks. From **HeyHomie** : > [@](#): > > In a transaction like that, do you just use your run-of-the-mill checkbook like you use to pay for your groceries, or do you have a special checkbook with (physically) larger checks, with room for more numbers? The single biggest check I’ve ever personally written was for a bit less than two hondred thousand in the days before us mere mortals had software to print them out. When somebody who’s used to writing checks for fifty-six and 32/100s has to write a check for one hundred ninety-eight thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight and 64/100s they’re liable to be squnching things up towards the end. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-size-of-a-cheque/231171/24 "2004-02-27T03:31:02Z")
Cool! It looks like I’m all set [sub]except that I have to get the money[/sub]. 🙂 Another question. Can I write the amount-in-words in, say, German, and have it go through an English-speaking bank? If I’m in Germany, can I write the amount in English? **Sunspace** scratches his head and is amazed that it never occurred to him that people might write cheques in French in Canada… ---
**Author:** ![suezeekay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-size-of-a-cheque/231171/25 "2004-02-27T04:54:23Z")
If you write a very large check you need to look at your checking account agreement and see how much notice the bank requires to cash the check. In the case of a car dealer where it’s just a matter of moving some electronic blips, it doesn’t matter, but in the case, say of a check to someone interested in cash (for some interesting reason), the bank is only required to keep so much cash on hand, I think 5% of deposits, so they might not be able to cover it without notice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-limit-to-the-size-of-a-cheque/231171.md?page=1)