Address types

In plain words

Bitcoin has gathered new address formats as it upgraded. Old ones start with 1, script-style with 3, modern ones with bc1. All still work; all can pay each other; only very old software balks at the newest. Newer formats make payments smaller, so cheaper. Two working rules: use what your wallet picks, and copy addresses exactly — one wrong character and the money is gone.

Why it matters

• The "is this address weird?" panic, explained: it's newer than your last wallet.
• Fees follow a payment's size, and newer formats trim it.
• Addresses are one-time labels, not identities. Fresh one per payment.

Not to be confused with

• Account numbers — addresses are disposable by design; reusing one is a privacy leak, not a convenience.

Go deeper

• Keys & addresses
• Address reuse
• Fees