A block explorer is like a public library catalog for the Bitcoin blockchain. Users can type in an address, transaction ID, or block hash to see associated details: amounts, timestamps, fees, and confirmations. Common explorers also track mempool data, displaying unconfirmed transactions awaiting inclusion in blocks.

While block explorers offer convenience, they also centralize the retrieval of blockchain data, potentially creating privacy or censorship risks. That’s why more privacy-conscious users prefer running their own node or using lightweight clients with local filtering. Nevertheless, explorers remain a go-to resource for quick insights into Bitcoin’s ledger.