Seed phrase - Revision history

NotATether: I woudn't say that LN and Blinded bearer certificates are still in infancy, so I reworded this paragraph

2025-12-27T08:54:55Z

I woudn't say that LN and Blinded bearer certificates are still in infancy, so I reworded this paragraph

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:54, 27 December 2025
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	Seed phrases are an excellent way of backing up and [[storing bitcoins]], so they are used by almost all well-regarded wallets.<ref>[https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet Bitcoin.org: Choose your wallet]</ref>		Seed phrases are an excellent way of backing up and [[storing bitcoins]], so they are used by almost all well-regarded wallets.<ref>[https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet Bitcoin.org: Choose your wallet]</ref>

	Seed phrases can only back up funds on the [[block chain]]. They cannot store funds involved in [[off-chain transactions]] such as [[Lightning Network]] or [[Blinded bearer certificates]]. ~~Although these technologies are~~ in ~~their infancy as of 2019 so~~ its ~~possible in future seed phrases could be used to~~ backup ~~them~~.		Seed phrases can only back up funds on the [[block chain]]. They cannot store funds involved in [[off-chain transactions]] such as [[Lightning Network]] or [[Blinded bearer certificates]]. You need to back up additional data along with the seed phrase in order to re-create your wallet on those layers. Usually the wallet will do that automatically when you use its backup function.

	== BIP39 and its flaws ==		== BIP39 and its flaws ==

RobbertBinkJr: /* Word lists */

2025-06-17T23:10:34Z

Word lists

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:10, 17 June 2025
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	Generally, a seed phrase only works with the same wallet software that created it. If storing for a long period of time it's a good idea to write the name of the wallet too.		Generally, a seed phrase only works with the same wallet software that created it. If storing for a long period of time it's a good idea to write the name of the wallet too.

	The BIP39 English word list has each word being uniquely identified by the first four letters, which can be useful when space to write them is scarce.		The [https://cryptorecovers.com/blog/bip39-word-list/ BIP39 English word list] has each word being uniquely identified by the first four letters, which can be useful when space to write them is scarce.

	* [https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039/bip-0039-wordlists.md BIP39 wordlists]		* [https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0039/bip-0039-wordlists.md BIP39 wordlists]

Calliptamus: /* Word lists */

2025-05-16T21:07:43Z

Word lists

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 16 May 2025
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	* [https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/blob/1.9.8/lib/mnemonic.py Electrum old-style wordlist]		* [https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/blob/1.9.8/lib/mnemonic.py Electrum old-style wordlist]
	* [https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/blob/master/electrum/wordlist/english.txt Electrum new-style wordlist]		* [https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/blob/master/electrum/wordlist/english.txt Electrum new-style wordlist]
			* [https://bip39-phrase.com/transkriptsionnyi-slovar-bip39-po-ipa-znakam/ BIP39 transcription Dictionary by IPA characters]

	== Alternative name "mnemonic phrase" ==		== Alternative name "mnemonic phrase" ==

Pancyrus: /* Paper and pencil backup */ grammar

2023-07-27T17:28:55Z

Paper and pencil backup: grammar

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:28, 27 July 2023
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	==== Paper and pencil backup ====		==== Paper and pencil backup ====

	Through bitter experience it has been found that one of the most practical storage ~~mediums~~ is '''pencil and paper'''. The private keys of a bitcoin wallet are encoded into [[seed phrase\|random words from a dictionary]] which can be written down. If your hard drive crashes, you can find the paper with the [[seed phrase]] and restore the entire wallet. As [[seed phrase]]s use natural language words, they have good error correction. Words written in bad handwriting can often still be read. If one or two letters are missing the word can often still be deduced. The [[Seed_phrase#Word_Lists\|word list]] that the seed phrase words are drawn from is carefully chosen so that the first four letters of each word are enough to uniquely identify it.		Through bitter experience it has been found that one of the most practical storage media is '''pencil and paper'''. The private keys of a bitcoin wallet are encoded into [[seed phrase\|random words from a dictionary]] which can be written down. If your hard drive crashes, you can find the paper with the [[seed phrase]] and restore the entire wallet. As [[seed phrase]]s use natural language words, they have good error correction. Words written in bad handwriting can often still be read. If one or two letters are missing the word can often still be deduced. The [[Seed_phrase#Word_Lists\|word list]] that the seed phrase words are drawn from is carefully chosen so that the first four letters of each word are enough to uniquely identify it.

	For storing on paper writing with pencil is much better than pen.<ref>[http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2011/12/07/pencil-does-not-fade Pencil Does Not Fade]		For storing on paper writing with pencil is much better than pen.<ref>[http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2011/12/07/pencil-does-not-fade Pencil Does Not Fade]

Pancyrus: grammar

2023-07-27T17:06:50Z

grammar

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:06, 27 July 2023
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	Seed phrases are an excellent way of backing up and [[storing bitcoins]], so they are used by almost all well-regarded wallets.<ref>[https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet Bitcoin.org: Choose your wallet]</ref>		Seed phrases are an excellent way of backing up and [[storing bitcoins]], so they are used by almost all well-regarded wallets.<ref>[https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet Bitcoin.org: Choose your wallet]</ref>

	Seed phrases can only ~~backups~~ funds on the [[block chain]]. They cannot store funds involved in [[off-chain transactions]] such as [[Lightning Network]] or [[Blinded bearer certificates]]. Although these technologies are in their infancy as of 2019 so its possible in future seed phrases could be used to backup them.		Seed phrases can only back up funds on the [[block chain]]. They cannot store funds involved in [[off-chain transactions]] such as [[Lightning Network]] or [[Blinded bearer certificates]]. Although these technologies are in their infancy as of 2019 so its possible in future seed phrases could be used to backup them.

	== BIP39 and its flaws ==		== BIP39 and its flaws ==

Kamariks at 15:09, 9 December 2022

2022-12-09T15:09:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:09, 9 December 2022
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	An example of a non-BIP39 seed phrase is:		An example of a non-BIP39 seed phrase is:

	hotel obvious agent lecture gadget evil jealous ~~{{taggant private key}}~~keen fragile before damp clarify		hotel obvious agent lecture gadget evil jealous keen fragile before damp clarify

	The word order is important.		The word order is important.

Kamariks at 18:11, 23 November 2022

2022-11-23T18:11:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:11, 23 November 2022
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	An example of a non-BIP39 seed phrase is:		An example of a non-BIP39 seed phrase is:

	~~witch collapse practice feed shame open despair~~ {{taggant private key}}~~creek road again ice least~~		hotel obvious agent lecture gadget evil jealous {{taggant private key}}keen fragile before damp clarify

	The word order is important.		The word order is important.

	[[File:~~Mnemonic-seed-still-life~~.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|none\|alt=An example seed phrase written on paper\|Example seed phrase on paper.]]		[[File:Seed phrase.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|none\|alt=An example seed phrase written on paper\|Example seed phrase on paper.]]

	== Explanation ==		== Explanation ==

Kschieck: Updated 2 "see also" links because the locations were moved or removed

2022-07-12T00:03:01Z

Updated 2 "see also" links because the locations were moved or removed

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:03, 12 July 2022
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	* [[Storing bitcoins]]		* [[Storing bitcoins]]
	* [[Brainwallet]]		* [[Brainwallet]]
	* [https://github.com/6102bitcoin/~~FAQ~~/blob/~~master~~/seed.md FAQ regarding bitcoin seeds]		* [https://github.com/6102bitcoin/6102bitcoin/blob/main/content/faq-bitcoin-seed.md FAQ regarding bitcoin seeds]
	* [https://www.hodlalert.com/2020/12/21/generating-cryptographically-secure-random-numbers-with-coins-and-a-cup/ Generating Bitcoin Seed Phrases With Coins and A Cup]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20210214135049/https://www.hodlalert.com/2020/12/21/generating-cryptographically-secure-random-numbers-with-coins-and-a-cup/ Generating Bitcoin Seed Phrases With Coins and A Cup]

	==References==		==References==

Tris T7: /* Paper and pencil backup */ edited ref code

2022-04-08T16:48:45Z

Paper and pencil backup: edited ref code

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 8 April 2022
Line 60:		Line 60:
	Through bitter experience it has been found that one of the most practical storage mediums is '''pencil and paper'''. The private keys of a bitcoin wallet are encoded into [[seed phrase\|random words from a dictionary]] which can be written down. If your hard drive crashes, you can find the paper with the [[seed phrase]] and restore the entire wallet. As [[seed phrase]]s use natural language words, they have good error correction. Words written in bad handwriting can often still be read. If one or two letters are missing the word can often still be deduced. The [[Seed_phrase#Word_Lists\|word list]] that the seed phrase words are drawn from is carefully chosen so that the first four letters of each word are enough to uniquely identify it.		Through bitter experience it has been found that one of the most practical storage mediums is '''pencil and paper'''. The private keys of a bitcoin wallet are encoded into [[seed phrase\|random words from a dictionary]] which can be written down. If your hard drive crashes, you can find the paper with the [[seed phrase]] and restore the entire wallet. As [[seed phrase]]s use natural language words, they have good error correction. Words written in bad handwriting can often still be read. If one or two letters are missing the word can often still be deduced. The [[Seed_phrase#Word_Lists\|word list]] that the seed phrase words are drawn from is carefully chosen so that the first four letters of each word are enough to uniquely identify it.

	For storing on paper writing with pencil is much better than pen.		For storing on paper writing with pencil is much better than pen.<ref>[http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2011/12/07/pencil-does-not-fade Pencil Does Not Fade]
	<ref>[http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2011/12/07/pencil-does-not-fade Pencil Does Not Fade]
	</ref><ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-maintain-a-paper-notebook-that-can-remain-for-years How do I maintain a paper notebook that can remain for years?]		</ref><ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-maintain-a-paper-notebook-that-can-remain-for-years How do I maintain a paper notebook that can remain for years?]
	</ref>		</ref>
	Paper should be acid-free or archival paper, and stored in the dark avoiding extremes of heat and moisture		Paper should be acid-free or archival paper, and stored in the dark avoiding extremes of heat and moisture.<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/deterioratebrochure.html Essential facts about preservation of Paper]
	<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/deterioratebrochure.html Essential facts about preservation of Paper]
	</ref><ref>[https://www.quora.com/If-I-write-with-a-pencil-on-my-notebook-will-the-writing-last-for-a-long-time-say-50-years-or-will-it-just-fade-away-gradually Writing in a notebook with pencil]		</ref><ref>[https://www.quora.com/If-I-write-with-a-pencil-on-my-notebook-will-the-writing-last-for-a-long-time-say-50-years-or-will-it-just-fade-away-gradually Writing in a notebook with pencil]
	</ref><ref>[http://copar.org/bulletin14.htm CoPAR: Creating records that will last]</ref>.		</ref><ref>[http://copar.org/bulletin14.htm CoPAR: Creating records that will last]</ref>

	==== Metal backup ====		==== Metal backup ====

Tris T7: /* Paper and pencil backup */ edited ref

2022-04-08T16:47:52Z

Paper and pencil backup: edited ref

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:47, 8 April 2022
Line 60:		Line 60:
	Through bitter experience it has been found that one of the most practical storage mediums is '''pencil and paper'''. The private keys of a bitcoin wallet are encoded into [[seed phrase\|random words from a dictionary]] which can be written down. If your hard drive crashes, you can find the paper with the [[seed phrase]] and restore the entire wallet. As [[seed phrase]]s use natural language words, they have good error correction. Words written in bad handwriting can often still be read. If one or two letters are missing the word can often still be deduced. The [[Seed_phrase#Word_Lists\|word list]] that the seed phrase words are drawn from is carefully chosen so that the first four letters of each word are enough to uniquely identify it.		Through bitter experience it has been found that one of the most practical storage mediums is '''pencil and paper'''. The private keys of a bitcoin wallet are encoded into [[seed phrase\|random words from a dictionary]] which can be written down. If your hard drive crashes, you can find the paper with the [[seed phrase]] and restore the entire wallet. As [[seed phrase]]s use natural language words, they have good error correction. Words written in bad handwriting can often still be read. If one or two letters are missing the word can often still be deduced. The [[Seed_phrase#Word_Lists\|word list]] that the seed phrase words are drawn from is carefully chosen so that the first four letters of each word are enough to uniquely identify it.

	For storing on paper writing with pencil is much better than pen		For storing on paper writing with pencil is much better than pen.
	<ref>[http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2011/12/07/pencil-does-not-fade Pencil Does Not Fade]		<ref>[http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2011/12/07/pencil-does-not-fade Pencil Does Not Fade]
	</ref><ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-maintain-a-paper-notebook-that-can-remain-for-years How do I maintain a paper notebook that can remain for years?]		</ref><ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-maintain-a-paper-notebook-that-can-remain-for-years How do I maintain a paper notebook that can remain for years?]
	</ref>.		</ref>
	Paper should be acid-free or archival paper, and stored in the dark avoiding extremes of heat and moisture		Paper should be acid-free or archival paper, and stored in the dark avoiding extremes of heat and moisture
	<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/deterioratebrochure.html Essential facts about preservation of Paper]		<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/deterioratebrochure.html Essential facts about preservation of Paper]