XRP Address

Overview

Meaning in plain language

An XRP Ledger address identifies an account using a checksummed base58 encoding, with optional X-address formatting to include a destination tag. An X-address combines a classic address with a source or destination tag for application convenience, although the ledger protocol natively records the classic address and tag.

How it works

An XRP Ledger classic address represents a 20-byte account identifier in the ledger's base58 alphabet and typically begins with r. It is case-sensitive and includes a checksum for detecting input errors.

An X-address combines a classic address with a source or destination tag for application convenience, although the ledger protocol natively records the classic address and tag separately. Shared exchange or merchant accounts often require a destination tag to identify the intended customer. Wallets must validate the encoding, network, account status, and any required tag before sending. A syntactically valid address may be unfunded and not yet exist as an active account. Omitting or changing a required destination tag can send funds to the right ledger account but prevent the receiving service from crediting the correct user.

Where people get it wrong

A valid classic address with an omitted destination tag can still receive XRP but lose the customer-level routing information. Check tag requirements and the account’s state.

Related concepts

Solana Address, TON Address, Blockchain Network.

Reference

XRP Ledger documentation: addresses.