Login
Learn Bitcoin is live in Beta - spot an issue or have a suggestion? We'd love to hear it!
Home Glossary B B32 Address

B32 Address

Another name for bech32 addresses, referring to the base32 encoding format introduced with Segregated Witness (SegWit).
Share

B32 is shorthand for the bech32 address format, defined in BIP-173. It encodes addresses using lower-case alphanumeric characters and includes built-in error detection. If you’ve seen addresses that begin with “bc1,” you’re looking at bech32—or B32 if you prefer the nickname.

These addresses cut down on typing mistakes and are more QR code-friendly than legacy formats. They’re part of the broader SegWit upgrade, which also helped reduce transaction fees and paved the way for further protocol improvements. So, B32 addresses are not just a style choice; they’re a more efficient and secure format for sending and receiving Bitcoin.

Key takeaways
Synonymous with bech32 addresses
Improves error detection and QR scanning
Introduced as part of SegWit (BIP-173)
Learn Bitcoin visual
Learn how to

Be Your Own Bank

Be Your Own Bank teaches you how to securely store and manage your Bitcoin, giving you full control over your finances. Unlock the power of self-custody and financial sovereignty, so you can confidently operate without intermediaries.

Take the Survey
30 sec
Free
Suggest a Term

Have a term to suggest? Enter it below and help us expand our vocabulary!