Bitcoin Address Types Explained — Legacy, SegWit, Taproot (2026)
Bitcoin has three address types. Each starts with a different prefix and has different features.
The Three Types
| Type | Prefix | Example | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy (P2PKH) | 1... | 1A1zP1eP5QG... | Maximum compatibility |
| SegWit (P2SH) | 3... | 3J98t1WpEZ7... | Lower fees |
| Native SegWit | bc1q... | bc1qw508d6q... | Lowest fees |
| Taproot | bc1p... | bc1p5d7rjq7... | Ordinals + privacy |
Which Should You Use?
- For ordinals: Taproot (bc1p...) — required for inscriptions
- For everyday use: Native SegWit (bc1q...) — lowest fees
- For maximum compatibility: Legacy (1...) — works everywhere
Check Any Address
Use our Whale Wallet Checker to look up the balance of any Bitcoin address type.
Secure your Bitcoin with Ledger — supports all address types.