What is a Blockchain Explorer? A Beginner’s Guide

Table of content

• Key Takeaways
• What is a Block Explorer and How Does it Work?
• How to Use a Block Explorer for Bitcoin Transactions?
• Blockchain Explorer Advantages
• Price Tracker for Real-Time Price Monitoring
• What Is a Good Blockchain Explorer?
• Can You Track Ethereum Transactions Similar to Bitcoin?
• Blockchain Explorer Bottom Line
• FAQs About Blockchain Explorer

A block explorer is essentially a search engine for blockchain networks. It lets users access detailed information about transactions, blocks, and wallet addresses. Every transaction on a blockchain is permanently recorded within a block, and explorers make it easy to find specific data by entering transaction IDs, wallet addresses, or block numbers. 

Almost every blockchain network — like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Solana — has a dedicated explorer like Solscan or Etherscan. These tools provide security and help users verify transactions, track token movements, and monitor real-time network activity.

A blockchain explorer is a tool that lets you see what’s happening on the blockchain. It’s commonly used to track Bitcoin transactions — from sending to receiving.

To track a Bitcoin transaction:

1. Locate the transaction ID (TXID) from your wallet or exchange.
2. Open a blockchain explorer, such as Solscan.io or Etherscan.io.
3. Paste the TXID in the search bar.
4. Review the transaction details, including confirmations and recipient addresses.

A transaction ID is a unique string of characters assigned to every Bitcoin transaction. It helps users track and verify transfers.

Block Height – Shows which block contains the transaction.

Sender & Receiver Addresses – Displays who sent and received the funds.

Fee Amount – Indicates transaction fees paid to miners.

Timestamp – Displays when the transaction was initiated and confirmed.

Block height refers to the position of a block in the blockchain. The higher the number, the newer the block. Transactions are confirmed when they are included in a block.

Users can view past transactions and current balances by entering a Bitcoin address in an explorer.

• Unconfirmed Transactions: Transactions with zero confirmations are still being processed.
• High Fees: Low-fee transactions take longer to confirm.
• Incorrect TXID: Entering an incorrect or missing TXID can lead to search errors.

Transparency allows users to verify transactions without intermediaries, making blockchain transactions open and accessible to anyone. This ensures that all transactions are recorded on a public ledger, reducing the risk of fraud and increasing trust in the network. Security is another key aspect, as blockchain explorers do not require personal data for searches. 

Anyone can check transactions using a wallet address or transaction ID without revealing their identity, ensuring privacy while maintaining the integrity of the network. Network monitoring provides valuable insights into blockchain activity, allowing users to track block confirmations, analyze transaction trends, and assess network congestion.

You can check our article about how blockchain was created here.

Platforms like CoinMarketCap offer price tracking features. Users can set price alerts to receive notifications and monitor historical data to analyze trends.

Market fluctuations affect transaction fees and network congestion. Higher activity can lead to slower confirmations.

Some reliable platforms that have price tracking tools include:

• CoinGecko
• CoinMarketCap
• TradingView

You can check our Best Crypto Tools List for buying and selling cryptocurrencies.

A user-friendly interface is essential. It should have easy navigation, allowing users to find transaction data quickly. A good explorer makes checking confirmations, fees, and timestamps simple.

Easy-to-understand data is another key feature. A good explorer shows transaction details. This includes fees, confirmations, block height, and sender/receiver addresses. This helps users verify transactions and understand what is happening in the network.

Some explorers support many blockchains, making tracking different cryptocurrencies easier. While some focus only on Bitcoin or Ethereum, others cover a wider range of blockchains.

Popular blockchain explorers are Blockexplorer.one. It is known for being simple and supports Bitcoin and Ethereum. Blockchain offers insights on various networks. Etherscan, however, is ideal for tracking Ethereum transactions and smart contract information.

Yes, Ethereum transactions can be tracked using blockchain explorers like Etherscan.

Feature	Bitcoin (BTC) Explorer	Ethereum (ETH) Explorer
Transactions	Simple, peer-to-peer	Includes smart contracts
Confirmations	Based on blocks	Based on gas fees
Data Structure	UTXO model	Account-based model

• Go to Etherscan.io.
• Enter your wallet address or TXID.
• Check gas fees, block confirmations, and smart contract interactions.

While both use blockchain explorers, Ethereum explorers provide additional details on smart contracts and gas fees.

A blockchain explorer is a valuable tool for tracking transactions, monitoring network activity, and verifying data on the blockchain. Whether using Bitcoin or Ethereum, explorers offer transparency and security for crypto users.