Glossary

Seed Phrase

Plain-language definition Crypto glossary

Key takeaways

A seed phrase is an ordered list of words, usually 12 or 24, that acts as the master backup for a wallet and can regenerate every private key and address it controls.
When you create a self-custody wallet it produces a random seed and encodes it as words from a standardised list, which you can restore into any compatible wallet to recover access.
Anyone who reads the phrase can take everything and anyone who loses it may be locked out forever, so it should be stored offline and never typed into a website.

Definition

A seed phrase (also called a recovery or mnemonic phrase) is an ordered list of words — usually 12 or 24 — that acts as the master backup for a wallet. From this single phrase, the wallet can regenerate every private key and address it controls.

How it works

When you create a self-custody wallet, it produces a random seed and converts it into words drawn from a standardised list. Those words encode the same information as the underlying keys, but in a form that is easier to write down and re-enter. Restore the phrase into any compatible wallet, in the right order, and you recover full access to the funds.

Why it matters

The seed phrase is the ultimate key to the wallet, so anyone who reads it can take everything, and anyone who loses it may be locked out forever. Best practice is to store it offline, never type it into a website, and treat any request for it as a scam.

Example

Writing your 12-word phrase on paper and keeping it in a safe lets you restore your wallet even if your phone is destroyed.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a seed phrase used for?

It is the master backup for a self-custody wallet, encoding the same information as the underlying keys in an easier-to-write form. Restoring the phrase into any compatible wallet, in the right order, recovers full access to the funds.

How should I store my seed phrase?

Best practice is to store it offline, never type it into a website, and treat any request for it as a scam. Because anyone who reads it can take all your funds, keeping it private and physically secure is essential.

What happens if I lose my seed phrase?

If you lose the seed phrase and have no other backup of your keys, you may be permanently locked out of the wallet. That is why the phrase should be backed up carefully and kept in a safe, offline location.