> 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-is-a-blockchain-explorer.md).

# What is a Blockchain Explorer?

A blockchain explorer is a website for looking up transactions, addresses and blocks. What it shows and how Leather uses one.

A blockchain explorer is a website that shows the public data of a blockchain. You search for a transaction ID, an address or a block, and it shows the details.

## What an explorer shows

* **Transaction:** the TXID, status (pending or confirmed), number of confirmations, inputs and outputs, amounts and fee.
* **Address:** the balance and the transactions that involve it.
* **Block:** the height, the time, the miner and the transactions in it.
* **Mempool:** the transactions waiting to be mined and the current fee rates.

Bitcoin and Stacks each have their own explorers. A Bitcoin explorer does not show Stacks transactions, and the other way round.

## Explorers and Leather

In Leather, click a transaction in the "Activity" tab to open it in an explorer. Anything an explorer shows is public: anyone with your address can see its balance and history. See [Account Privacy](/wallet-and-security/account-privacy.md).

See [How To Read A Bitcoin Block Explorer](/learn/how-to-read-a-bitcoin-block-explorer.md) and [What is a Transaction ID (TXID)?](/learn/txid.md).