If you have ever tried to track a crypto transaction or confirm whether your coins reached the right wallet, you might have come across a tool called a blockchain explorer. For most beginners, it can look complicated at first. But once you understand what it does, it becomes one of the most useful tools in your crypto journey.
A blockchain explorer lets you view everything happening on a blockchain in real time. It shows you things like wallet balances, transaction statuses, block details, and much more. Whether you want to check if a transaction went through or find the history of a wallet, this tool helps you do it with just a few clicks.
In this guide, you will learn what a blockchain explorer is, why it is important, how to use one, and which explorers are best for different cryptocurrencies.
What Is A Blockchain Explorer?
A blockchain explorer is a tool that helps you search and view all the activity on a blockchain network. Think of it like a search engine, but for crypto transactions and wallet addresses. You can use it to check when a transaction was made, how much crypto was sent, which addresses were involved, and even how much fee was paid.
Each blockchain has its explorer. For example, if you are using Ethereum, you can use Etherscan. If you are using Solana, you can check your activity on Solscan. These tools give you full transparency by letting you see what is happening on the blockchain in real time.
Read More: What is Layer 0 in Blockchain
Why Use A Blockchain Explorer?
A blockchain explorer gives you access to everything happening on a blockchain. Whether you want to double-check a payment or view your wallet history, this tool helps you explore the complete details with ease. Let us take a look at the most common reasons why you might use one.
Track Wallet Activity
You can view the full transaction history of any wallet address. This includes both incoming and outgoing transactions. You can also check the current balance, number of transactions, and total amount sent or received.
Verify Transaction Status
Blockchain explorers help you confirm if a transaction has gone through successfully. You can see if it is confirmed, still pending, or failed. This helps avoid confusion and gives you peace of mind after sending crypto.
Check Network Fees
If you want to find out how much you paid in gas or network fees, a blockchain explorer gives you the answer. This is useful for budgeting and planning future transactions, especially on busy networks.
Understand Blockchain Data
You can also explore technical details like block rewards, hash rate, or mining difficulty. This may not matter to everyone, but it is helpful if you want to understand how a blockchain functions under the hood.
Prevent Errors
Before you send crypto to someone, you can use a blockchain explorer to check if the wallet address is valid. This helps avoid mistakes and protects you from sending funds to the wrong address.
Useful for Investigations
Some firms use blockchain explorers to trace stolen funds or suspicious activity. Since most blockchains are public, it is possible to follow the movement of crypto between wallets and exchanges.
Read More: What is Layer 1 in Blockchain
How Does A Blockchain Explorer Work?
A blockchain explorer might seem complex at first, but it is easy to use once you know what each part does. In this section, you will learn what kind of information you can find when you use one.
View Recent Blocks
When you open a blockchain explorer, you will see a list of the most recent blocks that were added to the chain. These blocks include details like block number, time of creation, and the number of transactions they contain. Clicking on a block gives you access to much deeper insights.
Explore Block Information
Once you select a block, you will find many details such as who mined it, the average transaction value, and the total amount of crypto moved in that block. You will also see the block size, network difficulty, and any rewards given for mining that block.
Check Each Transaction
Every transaction inside a block is listed with its unique ID. You can click on a transaction to learn more about it. This includes wallet addresses involved, the amount of crypto sent, and the transaction fee paid.
Track Wallet Details
If you want to know more about a specific wallet, just click on the wallet address shown in any transaction. You can then view its full history, current balance, and how much crypto has been sent or received over time.
Read More: Understanding PulseChain
Best Blockchain Explorers For 2025
Each blockchain has its dedicated explorer. This ensures that you get the most accurate and detailed view of all activities on that network. Here is a simple table that shows you the best explorer to use for some of the most popular cryptocurrencies.
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Blockchain |
Recommended Explorer |
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Bitcoin |
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Ethereum |
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BNB Chain |
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Ripple |
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Dogecoin |
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Solana |
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Tron |
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Polygon |
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Cosmos |
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Avalanche |
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Cardano |
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Helium |
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Near Protocol |
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Algorand |
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Fantom |
Pick the right explorer based on the crypto you hold, and you will be able to view everything from transaction history to network stats in just a few clicks.
Finding a Transaction, Wallet, or Block
A blockchain explorer has a search feature that helps you look up anything specific on the blockchain. In this section, you will learn how to find a transaction, wallet address, or block without needing to scroll through endless data.
Search by Transaction ID
Each transaction on a blockchain has a unique ID, also called a transaction hash. You can copy this from your wallet and paste it into the search bar on a blockchain explorer. Once you do that, you will be taken to a page that shows all the details about that transaction.
Search by Wallet Address
If you want to check the activity of a specific wallet, you just need the wallet address. Enter the address in the search bar of the explorer, and you will see the full list of transactions, current balance, and more. This is helpful if you want to track your wallet or check if someone received your transfer.
Search by Block Number or Hash
Every block in the blockchain also has a number and a unique identifier called a hash. If you have either of these, you can paste it into the explorer’s search bar. This will show you all the transactions inside that block, when it was mined, and by whom.
How to Check If a Transaction Is Confirmed or Not?
When you send or receive crypto, it is important to know whether the transaction has gone through. In this section, you will learn how to use a blockchain explorer to check the status of any transaction.
Finding the Transaction ID
The first step is to locate the transaction ID, also known as the transaction hash. You can usually find this in your wallet’s transaction history. Simply copy the ID to use it in the explorer.
Using the Blockchain Explorer
Go to the blockchain explorer that matches the network you are using. Paste the transaction ID into the search bar. The explorer will then show you a page with the full details of that transaction.
Checking the Status
Once the transaction page loads, look for the confirmation status. If the transaction is confirmed, it will show the number of confirmations it has received. If it is still waiting, it will be marked as unconfirmed or pending. Some explorers may also show if a transaction failed, along with the possible reason.
Is Using a Blockchain Explorer Safe?
You might wonder if viewing wallet data or transaction history on a blockchain explorer puts your crypto at risk. In this section, we will explain whether these tools are safe to use and what you need to know before using them.
No Login Needed
Blockchain explorers are read-only tools. You do not need to log in, share your wallet credentials, or connect your wallet to use them. You simply visit the explorer, enter a wallet address or transaction ID, and view the data.
No Access to Your Funds
Explorers do not have any control over your crypto. They cannot move funds or make changes to your wallet. Since they only display public data already stored on the blockchain, your assets remain safe no matter how many times you use the tool.
Safe for Research
Whether you are verifying a transaction or checking wallet activity, explorers are a safe way to gather information. Just make sure you are using the correct explorer that matches your blockchain and always type addresses carefully to avoid errors.
Can You See Other People’s Transactions?
One of the key features of public blockchains is transparency. In this section, you will learn whether it is possible to view transactions made by others and what kind of information you can see.
Public by Design
Most blockchains are designed to be open. This means anyone can view any transaction on the network by using a blockchain explorer. As long as you have a wallet address or transaction ID, you can search for it and see its full history.
What Can You See?
When you enter a wallet address into a blockchain explorer, you can view its entire transaction history. You can check the amounts sent or received, the number of transactions, and the current balance. You can also explore each transaction in detail, including which addresses were involved and the fees paid.
What You Cannot See?
Although you can view the activity of a wallet, you will not find personal information. Wallet addresses are not linked to names, phone numbers, or email addresses on the blockchain. Unless the wallet has been used on an exchange that collects personal data, it is difficult to link it back to someone.
Why Does This Matter for Crypto Taxes?
Keeping track of your crypto transactions is more than just good practice. It is also necessary when it comes to reporting your taxes correctly. In this section, you will learn how blockchain explorers can help you stay organised and tax-ready.
A Clear View of Your Activity
With a blockchain explorer, you can see every transaction linked to your wallet. This includes crypto you have bought, sold, swapped, or transferred. Having a record of these activities is important because many of them may be taxable based on your country’s rules.
Identifying Taxable Events
Blockchain explorers help you identify key events like capital gains, losses, and crypto received as income. When you use this information with a crypto tax tool like KoinX, it becomes much easier to calculate your exact tax position.
Supporting Tax Reports
If you ever need to show proof of a transaction, a blockchain explorer acts as your evidence. You can use the data it shows to support your entries in tax reports or even share it with your accountant if needed.
Conclusion
Blockchain explorers may seem technical at first, but once you start using them, you will see how useful they are. Whether you want to confirm a transaction, check your wallet activity, or explore how a blockchain works, these tools make everything more transparent and easier to understand.
If you are keeping track of your crypto for tax reasons, a blockchain explorer can give you a clear record of your transactions. But going through each one manually can take time. That is where KoinX helps. It automates the process by fetching your transaction data directly from wallets and exchanges, applies the correct tax rules, and prepares reports for you. Get started with KoinX today and make crypto tax filing simpler than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use A Blockchain Explorer On My Phone?
Yes, most blockchain explorers are mobile-friendly and work well on browsers like Chrome or Safari. Some popular explorers also offer mobile apps for easier access. If you are checking transactions on the go, you can simply open your browser, paste your wallet address or transaction ID, and view the details just like you would on a desktop.
Do Blockchain Explorers Support Multiple Blockchains?
Some blockchain explorers are built to support only one network, like Etherscan for Ethereum. However, there are multi-chain explorers like Blockchair and Token View that let you view data across several blockchains in one place. These are useful if you hold crypto on more than one network and want to track them from a single platform.
How Long Does It Take For A Transaction To Appear In An Explorer?
A transaction usually appears in a blockchain explorer within seconds of being broadcast to the network. However, confirmation can take longer depending on network activity, fees, and the blockchain itself. Some explorers show pending transactions right away, even before they are confirmed.
Can A Blockchain Explorer Show Real-Time Updates?
Yes, many explorers provide real-time updates. This means you can see new blocks, recent transactions, and wallet changes as they happen. Some explorers even offer live tracking features, where data refreshes automatically without needing to reload the page.
