What is a Block Explorer?
A block explorer is essentially a search engine for the Bitcoin blockchain. Just as Google lets you search the internet, a block explorer lets you search Bitcoin's public ledger—viewing transactions, addresses, blocks, and network statistics in real-time.
Every Bitcoin transaction ever made is recorded on the blockchain, and block explorers make this data accessible and readable. They transform raw blockchain data into a user-friendly interface where you can:
- Track transactions – Check if a payment has been sent, confirmed, or is still pending
- Verify addresses – See the balance and transaction history of any Bitcoin address
- Explore blocks – View which transactions were included in each block and when
- Monitor the mempool – See unconfirmed transactions waiting to be mined
- Analyse network statistics – Hash rate, difficulty, fees, and more
For Australians using Bitcoin, block explorers are invaluable for confirming that payments have arrived, estimating transaction fees, and maintaining records for tax purposes. The ATO requires detailed records of all cryptocurrency transactions, and block explorers provide the transparency needed to meet these requirements.
Top Bitcoin Block Explorers
Mempool.space
⭐ Our Top Recommendation
Mempool.space has become the gold standard for Bitcoin-only users. It's open-source, privacy-focused, and offers the most intuitive visualisation of the mempool (unconfirmed transactions) available anywhere.
Strengths
- ✓ Beautiful mempool visualisation
- ✓ Real-time fee estimates
- ✓ Lightning Network support
- ✓ Self-hostable (run your own)
- ✓ No tracking or analytics
- ✓ Liquid Network support
Best For
- • Privacy-conscious users
- • Fee estimation
- • Bitcoin maximalists
- • Technical users
- • Node operators
Pro tip: Mempool.space's fee estimation is among the most accurate available. Use it before sending any transaction to avoid overpaying or getting stuck in the mempool.
Blockchair
Best Multi-Chain Explorer
Blockchair is the Swiss Army knife of block explorers, supporting over 40 blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and many more. Its advanced search capabilities let you filter and analyse blockchain data in ways other explorers can't match.
Strengths
- ✓ 40+ blockchain support
- ✓ Advanced SQL-like queries
- ✓ Privacy-o-meter for transactions
- ✓ Comprehensive API
- ✓ News aggregation
- ✓ Portfolio tracking
Best For
- • Multi-coin users
- • Researchers
- • Data analysts
- • Developers needing APIs
- • Privacy analysis
Blockchain.com Explorer
Best for Beginners
One of the oldest and most trusted names in Bitcoin, Blockchain.com's explorer offers a clean, beginner-friendly interface. It's been around since 2011 and remains one of the most visited block explorers globally.
Strengths
- ✓ Simple, clean interface
- ✓ Extensive charts section
- ✓ Long track record
- ✓ Mobile-friendly
- ✓ Multiple language support
Best For
- • Beginners
- • Quick transaction lookups
- • Historical charts
- • General public
Blockstream Explorer
Best for Privacy & Liquid
Built by Blockstream, one of the most influential Bitcoin infrastructure companies, this explorer emphasises privacy and supports the Liquid Network sidechain. It's designed for users who want minimal tracking while exploring the blockchain.
Strengths
- ✓ Privacy-focused design
- ✓ Liquid Network support
- ✓ Tor-friendly
- ✓ Clean, minimal interface
- ✓ Open source
Best For
- • Privacy advocates
- • Liquid Network users
- • Tor users
- • Security-conscious users
OXT.me
Best for Chain Analysis
OXT specialises in privacy analysis and UTXO visualisation. It's particularly useful for understanding how transactions link together and assessing the privacy characteristics of your Bitcoin activity.
Strengths
- ✓ UTXO visualisation
- ✓ Privacy scoring
- ✓ Wallet clustering
- ✓ Transaction graph analysis
Best For
- • Privacy researchers
- • Advanced users
- • Security audits
Other Notable Explorers
Feature Comparison
| Explorer | Multi-Chain | Lightning | API | Self-Host | Privacy Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mempool.space | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Blockchair | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ⭐⭐ |
| Blockchain.com | Limited | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ⭐ |
| Blockstream | Liquid | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| OXT | ❌ | ❌ | Limited | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
How to Use a Block Explorer
Using a block explorer is straightforward once you understand the basics. Here's a step-by-step guide for the most common tasks:
1. Checking a Transaction Status
- Copy the transaction ID (TXID) from your wallet
- Paste it into the explorer's search bar
- View the status: pending, confirmed, or the number of confirmations
- For most purposes, 3+ confirmations is considered secure; for large amounts, wait for 6+
2. Verifying an Address Balance
- Copy the Bitcoin address you want to check
- Paste it into the search bar
- View the current balance and complete transaction history
- This is useful for verifying cold storage or checking public donation addresses
3. Estimating Transaction Fees
- On Mempool.space, check the coloured blocks showing fee ranges
- Green = low priority (may take hours), Orange = medium, Red = high priority
- Use the recommended fee for your urgency level
- Weekends and late nights (UTC) often have lower fees
🇦🇺 Australian Tax Tip
Block explorers are essential for maintaining ATO-compliant records. For each transaction, you can export or screenshot: the date/time, amounts, addresses involved, and the Australian dollar value at the time (using historical price data). Tools like Koinly can automate this process by pulling data directly from the blockchain.
Privacy Considerations
While the Bitcoin blockchain is public, how you access it matters for your privacy. Here's what to consider:
⚠️ Privacy Risks
- • Your IP address is logged when you search
- • Searching your own addresses links your IP to your Bitcoin
- • Some explorers use tracking cookies and analytics
- • Transaction patterns can be analysed over time
✅ Privacy Best Practices
- • Use Tor browser when checking your own addresses
- • Choose privacy-focused explorers (Mempool, Blockstream)
- • Run your own block explorer connected to your node
- • Use a VPN as a minimum precaution
For maximum privacy, consider running your own instance of Mempool.space connected to your own Bitcoin full node. This way, your queries never leave your own infrastructure. Our security guide covers this in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone see my Bitcoin transactions?
Yes, all Bitcoin transactions are public on the blockchain. However, addresses aren't directly linked to identities unless you've shared that information (e.g., with an exchange using KYC). Block explorers simply provide a user-friendly way to view this public data.
Why does my transaction show as "unconfirmed"?
Unconfirmed transactions are waiting in the mempool to be included in a block. This usually happens when network traffic is high or your fee was too low. On Mempool.space, you can see approximately how many blocks until confirmation based on current fee rates.
Which explorer is best for beginners?
Blockchain.com offers the simplest interface for basic lookups. However, we recommend learning Mempool.space early on, as its fee estimation features will save you money on transactions.
Can I track someone else's Bitcoin address?
You can view the balance and transactions of any Bitcoin address—this is the nature of a public blockchain. However, you cannot know who owns an address unless they've publicly disclosed it or you have other identifying information.
Do I need to use multiple explorers?
For everyday use, one explorer is sufficient. However, if a transaction seems stuck or you're seeing unexpected results, checking a second explorer can help verify the information. Different explorers may also update at slightly different speeds.
