Bitcoin address checker

Check syntax, checksum, network and address family in your browser. A valid address can still belong to the wrong person or network.

Check address format locally

Bitcoin address

The checker validates characters, encoding and checksum. It does not query a balance.

Checksum—

Network—

Address family—

Encoding—

Common Bitcoin address families

Typical prefix	Family	Encoding	Main point
1…	Legacy P2PKH	Base58Check	Broad support; larger spend size
3…	Script / nested SegWit	Base58Check	Can represent several script types
bc1q…	Native SegWit	Bech32	Lowercase, checksum and lower weight
bc1p…	Taproot	Bech32m	Witness version 1
tb1…	Testnet	Bech32 / Bech32m	Not for mainnet bitcoin

A valid checksum is only the first check

Checksum validation can catch many typing and copy errors. It cannot prove that the intended person controls the key, that clipboard malware did not replace the address, or that the selected network is correct.

Confirm through a second channel

For a meaningful payment, compare the full address—or a strong portion of it—using a trusted second channel. Wallet address books and small test payments can reduce some risks, but each has trade-offs.

Learn about Bitcoin wallets and safe storage before moving funds.

What this checker deliberately does not do

No balance or transaction-history lookup.
No wallet connection or message signing.
No ownership claim.
No address reuse recommendation.
No seed phrase or private-key input—ever.

Privacy matters

Looking up an address on a remote service can reveal interest in it. This validator only checks format and checksum; it does not need chain activity to do that job.

How Bitcoin.now handles tool data

Calculated values

Deterministic tools state their assumptions beside the result. They do not present a model as an executable quote.

Observed values

External observations use read-only public data, retain the latest valid cache, and show freshness when a source is delayed.

Safety boundary

No tool trades, broadcasts, connects a wallet, stores a secret, or gives personal financial advice.

Review the data methodology, editorial policy, and risk disclaimer.

Using bitcoin address checker responsibly

Does valid mean safe to pay?

No. Valid means the text follows an address encoding and checksum. It does not prove the intended recipient controls the key or that malware did not replace the address.

Why is a testnet address rejected for mainnet use?

Test networks use different prefixes so valueless test coins are not confused with mainnet bitcoin. Always confirm the wallet's selected network before sending.

Does checking an address expose it?

This page sends the address only to Bitcoin.now's format-validation endpoint and does not query chain history. Never enter a seed phrase or private key into any address checker.