> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.leather.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.leather.io/learn/what-are-bitcoin-addresses.md).

# What are Bitcoin Addresses?

A Bitcoin address is where you receive bitcoin. The address types, how to tell them apart and which ones Leather uses.

A Bitcoin address is a string of 26 to 62 letters and numbers where you receive bitcoin. It is derived from a public key or a script, and a checksum lets wallets catch most typing mistakes. You can share it safely: it does not reveal your private key.

## Address types

| Type                   | Starts with | Example                                      |
| ---------------------- | ----------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Legacy (P2PKH)         | `1`         | `15e15hWo6CShMgbAfo8c2Ykj4C6BLq6Not`         |
| Nested SegWit (P2SH)   | `3`         | `35PBEaofpUeH8VnnNSorM1QZsadrZoQp4N`         |
| Native SegWit (P2WPKH) | `bc1q`      | `bc1q42lja79elem0anu8q8s3h2n687re9jax556pcc` |
| Taproot (P2TR)         | `bc1p`      | `bc1pmzfrwwndsqmk5yh69yjr5lfgfg4ev8c0tsc06e` |

* **Legacy** is the original format from 2009. Its transactions are the largest, so they cost the most in fees.
* **Nested SegWit** wraps SegWit in a script address, so older wallets that only know `3` addresses can pay to it.
* **Native SegWit**, from the 2017 SegWit upgrade, stores signatures separately and costs less in fees.
* **Taproot**, from the 2021 Taproot upgrade, makes complex spending conditions look like ordinary payments.

A multisig address needs several keys to spend. It can be a script address (`3`), a SegWit script address or a Taproot address.

## Addresses in Leather

Each Leather account has one Native SegWit and one Taproot address. Leather sends to addresses of every type. See [Understand Bitcoin Address Types](/transactions/bitcoin-address-types.md).