If you are new to Bitcoin, one of the first questions is simple: what does a Bitcoin address look like? In this article, we’ll cover the most common types of Bitcoin wallet addresses with examples. You’ll also learn how to find your BTC address inside your wallet and how to use it safely without risking your funds.
A Bitcoin address is a unique string of letters and numbers used to send or receive BTC. If you are new, the first thing you might ask is: what does a Bitcoin address look like? The answer is that it can vary, since BTC addresses appear in different formats.
There are four main types of Bitcoin addresses, each with a unique format:
Bitcoin has evolved since its launch in 2009, and so have its addresses. Each format serves the same purpose but comes with unique features. Here are the main types of Bitcoin addresses:
These are the original Bitcoin addresses, also called P2PKH. They always start with the number 1. Example: 1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa. This format is still supported, but transactions using Legacy addresses often cost more in fees.
There are two SegWit formats:
Example: 3J98t1WpEZ73CNmQviecrnyiWrnqRhWNLy.
Example: bc1qar0srrr7xfkvy5l643lydnw9re59gtzzwf5mdq.
When comparing Legacy vs SegWit addresses, the key advantage of SegWit (short for “Segregated Witness”) is efficiency. SegWit reduces the size of transactions, which makes them cheaper and faster to process. Taproot addresses (bc1p…)
Taproot is the newest upgrade, introduced in 2021. Taproot Bitcoin addresses start with bc1p.
Taproot Adress Example: bc1p5d7rjq7g6rdk2yhzks9smlqtedJ4g2mS22s32t2.
Taproot makes Bitcoin more efficient and private. It hides the details of complex transactions, so they look just like regular ones.
It’s important to know that you can usually send funds between different address types. For example, you can send BTC from a SegWit address to a Legacy address without problems. Still, the best practice is to use the most modern format your wallet supports.
If you’re wondering how to find a BTC address, don’t worry — it’s really simple. Every cryptocurrency wallet gives you your own unique Bitcoin address for receiving funds. Just open your wallet app (or desktop software), choose Bitcoin (BTC) from your assets, and tap “Receive.”
Your crypto wallet will display a string of characters, which is your personal Bitcoin address. You can just click “copy”. It usually comes with a QR code for easy scanning.
Sending Bitcoin requires care, because transactions cannot be reversed. Once BTC is sent to the wrong address, there is no way to get it back. Here are the key practices to protect your funds:
Now that you understand the BTC address format and know how to keep it safe, you’re ready for the next step: using it. The good news is you don’t need a complicated setup to start trading.
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