Bitcoin address types: 1, 3, bc1q and bc1p
Recognize common mainnet address formats, check wallet compatibility and understand why a fresh receive address is useful.
The quick answer
A Bitcoin address encodes a payment destination, not a bank account or a person's identity. Common mainnet addresses start with 1, 3, bc1q or bc1p.
Prefixes describe formats, not trust
Addresses starting with 1 are usually legacy P2PKH; 3 indicates P2SH. Native SegWit v0 uses bc1q, while Taproot uses bc1p with Bech32m. A familiar prefix does not prove a destination is yours.
Step by step
- 1
Generate an address in your wallet
Select Bitcoin mainnet and a receive format supported by the sender. Keep the original address intact.
- 2
Verify the full destination
Compare the entire address on your trusted device. Do not change its case, prefix or characters to make an app accept it.
- 3
Use a fresh address when practical
Your wallet can manage many receive addresses. New addresses reduce straightforward reuse, although other transaction links can still reveal activity.
Worked example
A sender that rejects bc1p may need a software update or another supported receive format generated by your wallet. Editing bc1p into bc1q cannot convert it.
Before you continue
A related question
Does my old receive address expire?
An ordinary on-chain address does not expire. A wallet may stop displaying it as the next request, and a merchant invoice can have separate expiry rules.
Try it with a tool
Sources & further reading
Source links checked on 15 Oct 2026. Examples explain the mechanics; provider fees and features can change.
