Why We Built This
Most cryptocurrency users treat derivation paths as mysterious “magic strings” that somehow produce wallet addresses. Yet these paths are the backbone of modern self-custody. Understanding them builds real confidence when managing funds across Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any BIP-44 compatible chain.
This tool exists to demystify hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallets. A single 12- or 24-word seed phrase can generate an unlimited number of private-public key pairs. The derivation path tells the wallet exactly which branch of that tree to follow — purpose, coin type, account, change, or address index. Without knowing what each segment means, users risk misconfiguring wallets, using incompatible software, or misunderstanding recovery instructions.
We created a clean, interactive visualizer that turns a path like m/44'/60'/0'/0/5 into an intuitive tree diagram. You instantly see how the master node branches downward, which levels are hardened for security, which coin type is recognized, and what each part actually controls. The goal is simple: replace confusion with clarity so you can verify paths, compare wallet standards (legacy vs native SegWit vs Taproot), and read documentation with confidence.
Everything runs 100% in your browser. No data leaves your device — not the path you type, not any generated visualization. This ensures maximum privacy while you explore concepts that are normally hidden behind wallet software.
Whether you're new to self-custody or an experienced user double-checking recovery paths, this explainer helps you own your understanding of how your assets are organized on the blockchain.
100% Client Side
No server, no tracking, no data collection. Every path is parsed, validated, and visualized locally using standard BIP-32/BIP-44 logic — nothing more.
How to Use the Explainer
The tool has three simple pages that together help you master derivation paths. No registration, no installation — just open and explore.
Start on the Home Page
The landing page gives you a quick overview of HD wallets and shows four common real-world paths: Bitcoin legacy, Ethereum, nested SegWit, and native SegWit. Each path is already broken down into its levels with short explanations. Click the navigation links to dive deeper.
Read the Explainer Page
This page lists every segment of a standard BIP-44 path — master, purpose, coin type, account, change, address index. Each has a clear description, why it exists, whether it should be hardened, and common examples (e.g., 0' = Bitcoin, 60' = Ethereum). Use this as your reference when reading wallet documentation or export files.
Experiment in the Visualizer
Type or paste any path into the input field and click Visualize. The tool instantly draws a vertical tree diagram showing the full hierarchy. Hardened levels are visually distinct, recognized coin types show extra context, and hovering over a node reveals its detailed purpose. Try valid paths, invalid ones (to see friendly error messages), or very deep paths — everything updates live in your browser.
The entire experience is stateless and private. Nothing is saved, tracked, or sent anywhere. Use it to verify paths before importing wallets, compare different standards, or simply learn how one seed controls your entire crypto portfolio.