A derivation path like m/84'/0'/0'/0/0 says exactly where a key sits in an HD wallet. Learn how to read one and fix a restore that shows zero balance.
Reading a path
m / 84' / 0' / 0' / 0 / 5| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| m | The master key from the seed |
| 84′ | Purpose: which standard, here native SegWit |
| 0′ | Coin type: 0 = Bitcoin mainnet, 1 = testnets |
| 0′ | Account number |
| 0 | 0 = receiving addresses, 1 = change |
| 5 | Address index: the sixth address |
The ′ (or h) marks hardened derivation.
Standard purposes
| Purpose | Address type | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 44′ | Legacy (1…) | BIP 44 |
| 49′ | Nested SegWit (3…) | BIP 49 |
| 84′ | Native SegWit (bc1q…) | BIP 84 |
| 86′ | Taproot (bc1p…) | BIP 86 |
Why this matters
If you restore your seed in a different wallet and see a zero balance, the wallet may be looking at the wrong path. Your coins are fine; switch the address type or path.
Restored wallet shows zero?
- Check you entered the seed and passphrase exactly.
- Switch the wallet's address type (legacy, nested SegWit, native SegWit, Taproot).
- Check the account number if you used more than one account.
- Raise the gap limit if you generated many unused addresses.
Your coins are on the blockchain; the wallet just needs the right path to find them.
Key takeaways
- A path like m/84′/0′/0′/0/5 locates one key in the HD tree.
- The purpose number indicates the address type.
- Restoring with the wrong path shows an empty wallet, but funds aren't lost.
Common questions
What does the apostrophe mean?
Hardened derivation. Some tools write h instead: m/84h/0h/0h.
Do I need to back up my derivation path?
It helps, especially for unusual setups. Recording your wallet's descriptor is even better.
What does m/84'/0'/0'/0/0 mean?
The first receiving address of account 0 for native SegWit on Bitcoin mainnet.
What is a descriptor?
A short text that records exactly which keys, paths and script types a wallet uses, making restores unambiguous.