Bitcoin (BTC) address validator
Paste a Bitcoin address to check its checksum and format and see which address type it is. Below: how BTC addresses are built, an example, and the chains it can be confused with.
BTC address format
- Legacy (P2PKH)
- Base58Check with version byte 0 (0x00); for example 1….
- Script (P2SH)
- Base58Check with version byte 5 (0x05); for example 3….
- Native SegWit (bech32)
- Human-readable part bc, so SegWit addresses start with bc1.
- Checksum
- Double SHA-256, as in Bitcoin.
Public examples
1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa(P2PKH)3J98t1WpEZ73CNmQviecrnyiWrnqRhWNLy(P2SH)
Good to know
BTC amounts use 8 decimal places: 1 BTC = 10^8 base units.
Its SLIP-44 coin type is 0, so BIP-44 style wallets derive it under m/44'/0'/….
Its legacy addresses share version byte 0 with Terracoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, so the same string can be valid on all of them. The detector lists every match; the right chain is the one your wallet uses.
Look-alike chains: Terracoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV.
Public explorers: blockstream.info.
This page checks address formats only. It never asks for a private key or seed phrase. Want to know if an address still holds funds? Try find money (coverage is listed there). Lost the wallet app? See the recovery guides.
FAQ
- How do I check a Bitcoin address is valid?
- Paste it into the checker on this page. It verifies the checksum and the version byte or bech32 prefix for Bitcoin and says which address type it is, or why it fails.
- What does a Bitcoin address look like?
- Base58Check (version byte 0 / 5) and bech32 (bc1…). Try it with the public example 1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa.
- Is it safe to paste my Bitcoin address?
- Yes. An address is public. The checker only reads the string you paste; nothing is stored, and it never asks for a private key or seed phrase.
- How many decimals does BTC have?
- 8. The smallest unit is 1/10^8 BTC.
- Why does my Bitcoin address also show as Terracoin?
- Both chains use version byte 0 for legacy addresses, so the string is valid on each. The key behind it is the same; only the network differs.