Reading a block explorer

A block explorer is a website that lets you search a blockchain. With one, you can check any transaction or address yourself and stop relying on what an app tells you. This lesson shows how to read one.

What you can search

Every network has its own explorers. You paste one of three things into the search box:

A transaction ID, also called a transaction hash or txid. This is the unique code for one transaction.
An address, to see its balance and history.
A block number, to see everything in that block.

Use an explorer for the right network. A transaction on a layer 2 network will not appear on an Ethereum explorer.

Reading a transaction

Search for a transaction ID and you will see:

Field	What it tells you
Status	Pending, successful or failed
Block	Which block included it, and so how many confirmations it has
Timestamp	When it was included
From	The sending address
To	The receiving address or contract
Value	The amount transferred
Fee	What the sender paid the network

Token transfers are shown in their own section, because the "to" field is the token's contract and not the final recipient.

What an explorer is good for

"Where is my money?" When you withdraw from an exchange, it gives you a transaction ID. Search for it. If the status is successful and the "to" address is yours, the coins have arrived, whatever your wallet app shows.

Proving a payment. A transaction ID is a public receipt. Send it to the recipient and they can check it themselves.

Dealing with support. If a deposit has not been credited, the transaction ID is the first thing support will ask for. It is safe to share.

Checking a token. Search a token's contract address to see how many addresses hold it and how much the largest holders own. Lesson 19 used this for research.

Checking your own wallet. Look up your address to see every token and transaction linked to it.

Three cautions

Everything is public. Anyone can do the same with your address. If you tell someone your address, you have shown them your balance and history.

Unknown tokens are bait. You may see tokens in your address that you never bought. Scammers send them hoping you will visit a website named in the token and connect your wallet. Leave them alone.

Fake explorers exist. Adverts lead to copies of popular explorers that ask you to connect a wallet or enter a seed phrase. A real explorer needs neither for looking things up. Bookmark the genuine site.

A habit worth building

After any transfer that matters, look it up. Check the status, the address and the amount. It takes a minute, and you will understand what happened.