> 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-native-segwit-address.md).

# What is a Native SegWit Address?

A Native SegWit address starts with bc1q. How it differs from a nested SegWit address and why it costs less to use.

A Native SegWit address (P2WPKH, bech32 format) starts with `bc1q`, for example `bc1q42lja79elem0anu8q8s3h2n687re9jax556pcc`. It came with the SegWit upgrade in 2017.

## SegWit in short

SegWit (Segregated Witness) moved signature data, the witness, out of the main transaction data. Witness data counts for less of a block's 4 million weight units, so transactions cost less. SegWit also fixed transaction malleability. See [What is Segregated Witness (SegWit)?](/learn/segwit.md).

## Nested and Native SegWit

* **Nested SegWit** addresses start with `3`. They wrap SegWit inside a script address, so wallets that did not know SegWit could still pay to them. The wrapper adds size.
* **Native SegWit** addresses start with `bc1q`. They use SegWit directly and give the smallest transactions of the two.

The bech32 format uses only lowercase letters and numbers and has a stronger checksum, which catches more typing mistakes.

## Advantages and limits

* Lower fees than legacy and nested SegWit addresses.
* Most wallets and exchanges send to `bc1q` addresses. A few old services still do not.

## Native SegWit in Leather

Each Leather account has one Native SegWit address. It is the address Leather shows for receiving bitcoin. See [SegWit vs. Native SegWit Addresses](/learn/segwit-native-segwit.md) and [Understand Bitcoin Address Types](/transactions/bitcoin-address-types.md).