How to check cryptocurrency paper wallet balance?

Naturally, your paper wallet can’t show you its current balance and the value of your holdings. To check the balance and its value in fiat currency, you will need to use a free blockchain explorer service. We’ll show you available options for different cryptos.

2023 Updated instructions

Using your phone’s camera.

1. Open your phone camera
2. Scan the public address QR code on your paper wallet
3. Tap to open in the browser (iOS: Search “public_key”)
4. Google will show the balance and a link to blockchain explorer.

Alternatively, manually copy-paste the public key to Google search.

Important note: Make sure that you are copying/scanning the public key.

Step 1: Decide which service you will use

Most blockchain explorers are specialized in one cryptocurrency. Some can work with a few most popular ones, but none cover all the most popular cryptos. Check out the list below and pick one of the services based on the crypto of your paper wallet:

Bitcoin (BTC)

• Blockchain.com
• BTC.com
• BlockCypher

Etherum (ETH)

• Etherscan
  • Shows USD value
• Blockchain.com
• eth.btc.com
  • Shows USD and BTC value

Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

• Blockchain.com
• bch.btc.com

Litecoin (LTC)

• BlockCypher

DogeCoin (DOGE)

• BlockCypher

Step 2: Locate your ”Public Key”

Once you’ve decided which block explorer you are using, you need to enter your public key into it. Those tools use public keys to retrieve your transaction history, balance, and usually also fiat value.

Is this safe?

Yes, using the public key is completely safe. With that said, you must take great care ensuring that your private key always remains hidden and offline. You should use the private case only once you decide to transfer funds from your paper wallet to a different location.

Step 3: Copy your public key into a block explorer

Scan the QR code

Paper Wallet Generators usually generate a QR code of your public address, which you can scan instead of manually copying the address into the block explorers interface.

Step 4: Add to bookmarks

For easier and faster access in the future.

Or consider using an app (if you plan to check the balance often)

To make the entire process easier, you can use an app for tracking the balance. I’m using CoinTracker.

After the first setup, you just open the app to check your paper wallets —no need to search the address in block explorer every time.