What is Etherscan?

Blockchains are publicly accessible databases that operate in a transparent manner, with all on-chain activities being visible. 

What is Etherscan?

However, it can be challenging to directly retrieve information from the blockchain. To address this issue, blockchain explorers such as Etherscan simplify the process by abstracting the underlying complexity and offering a user-friendly interface for viewing blockchain activities.

What is Etherscan?

Etherscan is a popular blockchain explorer that provides users with a comprehensive view of the Ethereum blockchain. It was launched in 2015 and has since become one of the most widely used Ethereum block explorers, attracting millions of users around the world.

In essence, Etherscan is an online platform that allows users to view and analyze all on-chain activities on the Ethereum blockchain. The platform is designed to provide users with real-time updates of their transactions, smart contracts, and other blockchain data.

One of the main features of Etherscan is its ability to allow users to search for specific transactions, wallet addresses, or smart contract codes. Users can access a wealth of information on any Ethereum transaction, such as the sender's and receiver's addresses, transaction fees, and the amount of Ethereum transferred.

Another essential feature of Etherscan is its capability to monitor the performance of smart contracts deployed on the Ethereum blockchain. This feature is particularly useful for developers who want to analyze the behavior of their smart contracts and ensure they function as intended. Etherscan allows developers to verify smart contract code and track their contract's execution and events.

Etherscan also provides users with the latest news and updates related to the Ethereum blockchain. Users can stay up-to-date with the latest developments, such as new Ethereum upgrades, hard forks, and other important events.

Functions of Etherscan for Ethereum Blockchain Users

Etherscan is a tool used for various purposes related to the Ethereum blockchain. One of its main functions is to allow users to view the assets associated with any public Ethereum wallet address. Users can enter an Ethereum address into the search box on Etherscan to see the current balance, transaction history, gas fees, and smart contracts associated with that address.

In addition, users can utilize Etherscan for a range of other activities, such as calculating Ethereum gas fees using the Etherscan gas tracker, verifying smart contracts, monitoring live transactions, reviewing and revoking access to wallets for decentralized applications (dApps), and tracking their portfolio and transaction history for suspicious activity.

Etherscan also acts as an analytics platform, allowing users to analyze on-chain metrics such as changes in Ether gas costs. It is important to note that Etherscan only displays public information available on the Ethereum blockchain and cannot access a user's private keys. Furthermore, Etherscan is not involved in any transactions displayed on the app and cannot resolve transaction failures.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Look Up Transactions and Wallets on Etherscan

Looking Up a Transaction on Etherscan:

  1. Open the Etherscan website on your web browser.
  2. In the search bar, enter the transaction hash, which is a unique identifier for each transaction on the Ethereum blockchain.
  3. Press Enter to search for the transaction.
  4. The transaction details will be displayed on the screen, including the transaction status, block number, gas used, sender address, receiver address, and transaction fee.
  5. You can also view the transaction's confirmation status, which indicates how many confirmations the transaction has received on the Ethereum blockchain.

Looking Up a Wallet on Etherscan:

  1. Open the Etherscan website on your web browser.
  2. In the search bar, enter the public Ethereum wallet address you want to look up.
  3. Press Enter to search for the wallet.
  4. The wallet details will be displayed on the screen, including the wallet balance, transaction history, gas fees, and smart contracts associated with the wallet address.
  5. You can also view other details related to the wallet, such as the wallet's creation date, last block mined, and any tokens associated with the wallet.

In addition to looking up transactions and wallets, Etherscan also offers other features such as gas tracking, smart contract verification, and portfolio tracking. These features allow users to track and manage their Ethereum activities and investments easily.

The Bottom Line


Etherscan is a powerful tool for anyone who wants to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. Its user-friendly interface and detailed information make it easy for users to look up transactions and wallets on the blockchain. With Etherscan, users can stay up-to-date on their Ethereum activities and investments, making it an essential tool for developers, investors, and casual users alike.


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