Blockchain Explorer
A blockchain explorer is a search tool that lets you view and track cryptocurrency transactions, wallet addresses, and network activity on blockchain networks, similar to how Google searches the internet.
Kacper Tomasiak
Web & SEO Manager at Swapped.com
A blockchain explorer is like Google for cryptocurrency. Just as you use Google to search the internet, you use a blockchain explorer to search and view information about crypto transactions, wallet addresses, and blocks on a blockchain network.
Think of it as a public record book that anyone can read. When someone sends Bitcoin to another person, that transaction gets recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain forever. A blockchain explorer lets you look up that transaction, see how much was sent, when it happened, and which wallet addresses were involved.
How Blockchain Explorers Work
Every blockchain network has its own explorer because each blockchain operates independently. Bitcoin has Bitcoin explorers, Ethereum has Ethereum explorers, and so on. You can't use a Bitcoin explorer to look up Ethereum transactions—they're completely separate systems.
When you want to check a transaction, you simply visit the explorer website and paste in either a transaction ID (a long string of letters and numbers) or a wallet address. The explorer then shows you all the relevant information about that transaction or address.
Blockchain explorers may provide you an unfair advantage or protect your funds if used correctly.
Popular Blockchain Explorers You Can Use
Different cryptocurrencies use different blockchains, so you'll need the right explorer for the crypto you're using.
Bitcoin Explorers
For Bitcoin transactions, the most popular explorers are Blockchain.com, Blockchair, and Mempool.space. These sites let you search Bitcoin addresses, track transactions, and see network statistics like how busy the Bitcoin network currently is.
Ethereum Explorers
Ethereum and most tokens built on Ethereum can be viewed using Etherscan, the most popular Ethereum blockchain explorer. Etherscan shows not just simple transactions, but also complex smart contract interactions and token transfers.
Other blockchains have their own explorers too. For example, BscScan is used for Binance Smart Chain, while Solscan serves the Solana blockchain.
What You Can Find on a Blockchain Explorer
Blockchain explorers contain a wealth of information that becomes more useful as you learn about cryptocurrency. Here's what beginners should focus on first.
Transaction Details
Every cryptocurrency transaction has a unique ID, like a tracking number for a package. When you search for this ID in a blockchain explorer, you can see when the transaction was sent, how much was transferred, which wallet sent it, which wallet received it, and whether the network has confirmed it.
You can also see how much the sender paid in transaction fees. This information helps you understand how much it costs to send different cryptocurrencies and compare networks.
Wallet Information
Blockchain explorers let you look up any wallet address to see its balance and transaction history. This feature is particularly useful for verifying that you're sending money to the correct address or checking whether a payment you're expecting has arrived.
Remember that while you can see wallet balances and transactions, you can't see who owns the wallet unless they've made that information public somehow.
Network Statistics
Advanced users rely on blockchain explorers to monitor the health and activity of cryptocurrency networks. You can see information like how many transactions are waiting to be processed, how busy the network is, and what the average transaction fees are.
This information helps you time your transactions better. For example, if the network is very busy, you might wait until activity decreases to avoid paying high fees.
By tracking a transaction on a blockchain, you can monitor its progress and trace the movement of assets.
Common Things People Look Up
Most beginners use blockchain explorers to check if their cryptocurrency transactions went through successfully. This is especially common when buying crypto for the first time or sending money to a new wallet.
Another popular use is checking wallet balances before sending money to make sure you're sending to the right address. Since crypto transactions can't be reversed, it's always smart to double-check the recipient's wallet first.
Some people also use explorers to research potential investments by looking at large wallet addresses to see what wealthy crypto investors (called "whales") are buying or selling.
Useful links
FAQs about the term Blockchain Explorer
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