Mnemonic
wallet · security
A human-readable word sequence used by many wallets to reproduce a seed and derive keys.
- Also known as
- mnemonic phrase, recovery phrase
A wallet mnemonic is an ordered list of words that encodes recovery data. In common BIP39 wallets, the words encode entropy plus a checksum and are processed with an optional passphrase to derive a binary seed.
The same words do not guarantee the same visible accounts in every wallet. Recovery can depend on the word-list standard, passphrase, derivation path, coin type, account index, and address or script format.
The phrase is usually sufficient to recreate all derived keys, so treat it like the funds themselves. Do not use a phrase shown in an example, photograph it, or give it to support staff. An optional passphrase must be backed up accurately because every passphrase can derive a different valid wallet.
Related terms
Seed Phrase
→A human-readable backup that can recreate a wallet’s private keys, addresses, and spend authority.
wallet · security
Deterministic Wallet
→A wallet that derives all keys and addresses from a single seed phrase, enabling easy backup and recovery.
wallet · security
Derivation Path
→A notation that selects a branch and key within a hierarchical deterministic wallet.
wallet · security
Private Key
→Secret cryptographic material used to produce signatures or other authorization proofs.
cryptography · security · wallet