ERC-1155

Overview

Meaning and scope

ERC-1155 is an Ethereum multi-token standard that allows one smart contract to manage many token IDs, including fungible, non-fungible, and semi-fungible configurations, with single and batch transfer operations. NFT ownership identifies control of a token under a specific contract or protocol; it does not automatically transfer copyright, physical title, service performance, or other off-chain rights.

How it works

A token ID is not automatically an NFT because its fungibility depends on supply and application rules. ERC-1155 also differs from ERC-721 by using balances per owner and token ID rather than one owner per unique token ID. Operationally, integrators handle balanceOf, batch calls, operator approvals, safe receiver interfaces, URI substitution, per-ID supply logic, events, and contract-specific rules for minting or burning. Smart-contract defects, misleading metadata, unauthorized minting, marketplace impersonation, illiquid markets, custody mistakes, and uncertainty over off-chain rights can reduce or eliminate practical value.

Operational checks and limits

For custody or marketplace support, verify chain, canonical contract or collection, token ID, ownership, approvals, metadata source, transfer behavior, royalties, and off-chain terms. ERC-1155 defines an Ethereum multi-token interface supporting balances by token ID and efficient single or batch transfers. Different IDs can represent fungible or non-fungible classes.

Practical example

A game sends several different collectible and consumable token IDs to a user’s wallet in one batch transaction.

Distinctions

ERC-1155 tracks quantities per ID; ERC-721 models distinct individually owned tokens with a different interface.

How to evaluate it

The token standard describes interfaces or transfer semantics, not the economic value or authenticity of an item; when integrating ERC-1155, verify the contract and network before reading metadata, ownership, or transfer events. When evaluating ERC-1155, test approvals, receiving contracts, batch behavior where relevant, and token IDs; a marketplace display should not be treated as proof of transferable rights or of off-chain asset ownership. Related concepts: ERC-721; Batch Minting; NFT Collection.