What Is a Block Explorer and How Do You Use It?
When a crypto transfer seems to have vanished, a block explorer is the first place to look. Here is what it shows, how to read it and what it cannot do.
Published September 30, 2026 · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- A block explorer is a public window into a blockchain: transactions and addresses are open to anyone.
- A TxID shows a transfer's status and its number of confirmations.
- If a deposit is not credited, check the explorer first, then the network and the minimum amount.
- Balances and history of any address are visible to anyone, so share addresses with that in mind.
What is a block explorer?
A block explorer is a public website that lets anyone look up transactions and addresses on a blockchain. Think of it as a search bar for the ledger: you enter a transaction hash or an address and see what the network has recorded. You do not need an account or a wallet to use it. The data is public by design, which is why the same page looks the same to you, to the sender and to a stranger.
How do I look up a transaction?
Start with the TxID, also called the transaction hash, a long string of letters and digits. You normally get it from the wallet or service that sent the funds. Open the explorer for the network the transfer used, paste the TxID into the search field and read the result. The page shows the transfer's status and how many confirmations it has so far.
| What you enter | What it shows | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction hash (TxID) | Status of the transfer and its number of confirmations | A deposit or payment has not been credited yet |
| Sender's address | Public balance and history of that address | Checking that funds left the address you expected |
| Receiving address | Public balance and history of that address | Checking that the transfer reached the address you were given |
What do status and confirmations tell me?
Status tells you whether the network has accepted the transfer or is still processing it. Confirmations show how many times the network has confirmed it since it was recorded. A transfer with few or no confirmations is not lost; it is simply not finished yet. Services usually credit a deposit only after the network confirms it, so this number explains most delays.
My deposit has not arrived. What should I check?
Look up the TxID first. If the explorer shows the transfer is still gathering confirmations, waiting is the only fix. In Nexus Pay, deposits are credited automatically once the network confirms them, which takes from a few minutes to about an hour depending on the blockchain. If the transfer is fully confirmed and still not credited, check these points:
- The network matches the deposit address. Each address belongs to one network, and a coin sent through another network will not arrive and cannot be reversed.
- The amount is not below the minimum deposit for that network, shown in the app. Smaller deposits are not credited.
- The destination address in the explorer is exactly the one you were given.
Can anyone see my balance in an explorer?
Yes. Because the record is public, an explorer shows the balance and history of any address to anyone who looks. Having your address does not let anyone spend your funds, but it does let them see what is there. Share an address only where you need to, and remember this when you paste yours into a chat or a form. Nexus Pay gives you a deposit address for each network, and the same rule applies to those addresses.
What can't a block explorer do?
An explorer only reads the blockchain; it cannot change anything on it. It cannot speed up a transfer, cancel it or return funds sent to a wrong address, because blockchain transfers are irreversible. Its value is in showing you the facts quickly: whether the transfer exists, where it went and how far along it is. With those facts you can give support an exact TxID instead of a vague description.
Common questions
Do I need an account to use a block explorer?
No. It is a public website, and anyone can look up transactions and addresses without registering.
Where do I find my TxID?
Usually in the wallet or service that sent the transfer, in the details of the withdrawal or payment. Copy it in full before pasting it into the explorer.
Why does the explorer show my transfer but my balance has not changed?
The receiving service credits funds after the network confirms the transfer. Until the confirmations arrive, the transfer is visible but not yet credited.
Can I recover a transfer sent to the wrong address using an explorer?
No. An explorer only shows the record. Blockchain transfers are irreversible, and nobody can bring back a transfer sent to the wrong address.
Is it safe to paste my address into an explorer?
Looking up an address does not give anyone control over it. Keep in mind that its balance and history are visible to anyone who searches for it.
Related reading
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