What is a txid and where do you get it?
A txid (transaction ID, or transaction hash) is a unique string of characters that the network assigns to every transfer. It identifies one specific operation, much as a tracking number identifies a parcel.
The format depends on the network. On Bitcoin and Tron it is typically a long hexadecimal string; on Ethereum and compatible networks it usually starts with “0x.” Length and appearance vary, so go by whether the explorer found a record, not by how the string looks.
Where to look for the txid:
- in the transaction history of the wallet or exchange you sent the payment from;
- on the order page, if you entered it when paying;
- in the sent notification from your wallet or exchange.
If an exchange withdrawal hasn't been processed yet, the txid may be missing: the transaction has not been broadcast to the network. This is normal; wait and refresh the history.
What is a blockchain explorer?
A blockchain explorer is a website that shows the public data of a network: transactions, addresses, blocks, fees. Anyone can open it without registering and check a transfer.
Each network has its own set of explorers. Bitcoin is looked up in a Bitcoin explorer, Tron in a Tron explorer, Ethereum in an Ethereum explorer. This matters: a txid from one network will, as a rule, find nothing in the explorer of another.
An explorer does not belong to the exchange service and does not depend on it. That makes its data a convenient independent confirmation of what was sent, where, and what stage the transfer is at.
How to find a transaction by txid, step by step
The search takes under a minute if you know the network of the transfer.
- Copy the txid in full from your wallet or the order page. Use the copy button rather than typing: an extra space or a missing character gives an empty result.
- Determine the network. For example, USDT exists on several networks, and your wallet will tell you which one: see the article on USDT networks for more.
- Open the explorer for that network.
- Paste the txid into the search bar and press Enter.
- Compare the data found: status, amount, recipient address, number of confirmations.
If you are not sure about the network, go by the address format and by which wallet or exchange the withdrawal came from: the operation history usually states the network.
What the transaction page shows
The transaction page collects everything you need for a check. Field names differ between explorers, but the set is usually the same.
- Status. Pending, confirmed or failed.
- Confirmations. How many blocks have been built on top of the block containing your transaction.
- Sender and recipient. The addresses between which the transfer took place.
- Amount. How many coins were transferred.
- Network fee. How much was paid for inclusion in a block: see the article on service and network fees.
- Time. When the transaction was included in a block.
- Block number. The position in the chain, from which confirmations are counted.
On networks with smart contracts, for example when you transfer tokens, the page may show several sections: the transaction itself and a separate record of the token transfer. Look for the token recipient's address in the transfer record, not in the contract address.
How to read a transaction's status
The status shows what stage the transfer is at. Three main states occur on any network.
- Pending. The transaction is known to the network but has not yet been included in a block. Usually you just need to wait: how long to wait for confirmations.
- Confirmed. The transaction is in a block, and the number of confirmations keeps growing. The more there are, the lower the chance of a reversal.
- Failed. The transaction was not executed. As a rule, the funds stay with the sender, though a fee for the attempt may be charged.
If the explorer says “transaction not found,” there are several possible reasons: the txid was copied with an error, the wrong network was selected, or the transfer hasn't reached the network nodes yet. Check the first two, then wait a few minutes.
How to match a transaction to your order
To make sure a payment corresponds to the order, compare four parameters in the explorer: the recipient address, the amount, the coin and the network. All of them should match the data on the order page.
A practical order of checking:
- Open the order page and find the payment address. At BITWHITE, an address is created for each order and is valid for up to 2 hours.
- In the explorer, open the transaction and compare the recipient address with the order address. Compare the beginning and the end, preferably the whole string: checking techniques are described in the article on checking a wallet address.
- Compare the amount. If it differs, an underpayment or overpayment is possible: what to do in that case.
- Make sure the network matches the one selected in the order.
- Check the time: the payment must reach the network within the validity period of the address.
If a payment arrived with the wrong amount, on a different network or after the deadline, it goes to an operator for manual review. Having your txid ready in advance speeds up that review.
Examples: what you can learn from an explorer
A few hypothetical situations show how to read the data.
Example 1. The payment is stuck. You sent a transfer an hour ago, and it isn't visible in the order. In the explorer the status is “pending” and the fee is very low. The transaction is probably waiting in a queue because of network congestion. You don't need to pay again: just wait for it to be included in a block.
Example 2. The wrong network. You meant to send USDT on Tron but selected a different network in your wallet. The txid isn't found in a Tron explorer, but it is found in the explorer of another network. That is a signal that the payment went to the wrong place, and you need to contact support with the txid: a payment on a different network is passed to an operator for manual review.
Example 3. The amount differs. The order states one amount, while the explorer shows less: part went to a fee that the wallet deducted from the transfer. Take into account in advance whether the sender pays the fee separately or whether it is taken out of the amount.
Example 4. An outgoing transfer. After the exchange you are waiting for your coins. The payout txid shows that the transaction is confirmed and the recipient address matches yours. That means it is down to the wallet: it may show the balance with a delay.
Common mistakes when working with a txid
Most search problems come from small things.
- The wrong explorer network. A txid is found only on the network where it was created.
- A copying error. A space, a line break or a truncated end gives an empty result.
- Confusing an address with a txid. An address is shorter and identifies a wallet; a txid identifies an operation. You can paste either into the search bar, but the result differs.
- Rushing into a repeat payment. If a transaction is “pending,” sending again results in a double payment.
- Blind trust in the wallet. A wallet may show “sent” even before confirmation. The explorer has the final word.
- A forgotten memo. If the network requires a tag, it must be entered when sending; an explorer may show it as a separate field: what memo and destination tag are.
One more warning: an explorer behind a link in a chat or an email may be fake. Open the explorer yourself rather than through links you were sent, and never enter a seed phrase there: an explorer doesn't need it.
What to send to support
When you contact BITWHITE support through Telegram, you need the order number (BW-…) and the txid. That is enough to find and look into the payment quickly.
It is helpful to add:
- the coin and the network the transfer was sent on;
- the amount you sent;
- a short description of the problem: what you expected and what you see;
- a refund address, if the order is in automatic mode, where coins are returned to that address if the exchange fails.
If you're not sure whether you need manual review, read how the modes differ: automatic vs. manual exchange. The service's only official domain is bitwhite.net, and the service never asks for a seed phrase. If you are asked to send one, they are scammers.
Transaction checking checklist
A short sequence of steps for when you need to make sure a transfer is in order.
- Copy the txid with the button from your wallet or the order.
- Open the explorer for the network you sent the coins on.
- Find the transaction and read its status.
- Compare the recipient address, amount and network with the order.
- Look at the number of confirmations and compare it with the benchmark for the network.
- If the status is “pending,” wait and don't send the payment again.
- If anything doesn't match, write to support with your order number and txid.
For the overall picture of the process, it is worth rereading the step-by-step exchange guide: it shows at which stages a txid comes in handy.
What about privacy networks?
Not all networks show the details of a transfer. On networks with enhanced privacy, the amount and the parties to an operation may be hidden, so an explorer will show only part of the data or will require additional information from the sender.
If you work with such a network, find out in advance what data will be needed to confirm a payment, and save everything your wallet gives you when sending. For complex cases, support may ask for additional information.
Don't try to replace a check with guesses: if the explorer doesn't show the amount or the recipient, rely on your wallet's data, the order number and the support reply. The absence of details in an explorer is not in itself a sign of a problem.