Menu

Testnet addresses

How to recognise test network addresses: tb1 and bcrt1 for Bitcoin, m/n/2 legacy forms, tltc1, bchtest:, TON's test flag. Coins on the main network cannot be sent to them.

Worked example · BIP-173 testnet vectortb1qrp33g0q5c5txsp9arysrx4k6zdkfs4nce4xj0gdcccefvpysxf3q0sl5k7Open the checker

Separate networks, separate prefixes

Test networks use their own version bytes or prefixes so that a test address can never be mistaken for a main network one. Main network wallets reject them.

  • Bitcoin: tb1… (testnet/signet), bcrt1… (regtest), m…/n… (P2PKH, version 0x6f), 2… (P2SH, 0xc4).
  • Litecoin: tltc1…, and Q… for testnet P2SH.
  • Bitcoin Cash: bchtest: and bchreg: prefixes.
  • XRP: X-addresses for the test network start with T.
  • TON: a flag bit (0x80) in the user-friendly form: kQ… and 0Q… instead of EQ…/UQ….
  • Monero: testnet 9…/A…/B…, stagenet 5…/7….
  • Zcash: tm… and t2…; Cardano: addr_test1…; NEAR: .testnet.

Why it matters

Test coins have no value. A test address in a main network withdrawal form is a sign that the address was copied from developer tools or the wrong wallet setting.

FAQ

Can I send real bitcoin to a tb1 address?

No. tb1 is a test network prefix; main network wallets reject it.