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Bitcoin testnet
Bitcoin testnet
Bitcoin has more than one test network. This guide explains testnet3, testnet4, and signet, how to get free tBTC, and how to read a testnet address.
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The Bitcoin test networks
Unlike most coins, Bitcoin has several test networks. Pick the one that matches what you're doing:
| Network | What it's for | Coin | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| testnet3 | The long-running public testnet (since 2012). Still widely used, but showing its age. | tBTC | Erratic, with a reputation for "block storms" and deep reorgs |
| testnet4 | A fresh public testnet added in Bitcoin Core 28.0 (2024) to replace testnet3's worst quirks. | tBTC | Better, though still gets bursts of empty low-difficulty blocks |
| signet | A testnet whose blocks are signed by a coordinator, so they arrive calmly and predictably. The best choice for building an app. | tBTC | Very stable |
| regtest | A private network on your own machine where you mine blocks on demand. Ideal for automated tests. | None | Fully under your control |
Which should I use?
If you just want to learn and experiment, testnet4 or signet are the friendliest. testnet3 works too, but don't be surprised when its timing gets weird. That's testnet3 being testnet3, not you doing something wrong.
Get some tBTC
There are two easy ways to get test coins, both free:
- A faucet is the fastest option. Claim tBTC from CypherFaucet.
- Mining is slower, but you learn more. Point a miner at TestnetPool.
You'll need a receive address first, so grab one from TestnetWallet.
Addresses
Testnet addresses look different from mainnet ones, and that's by design: you physically can't send mainnet coins to a testnet address by accident. Across testnet3, testnet4, and signet the formats are the same:
- Legacy (P2PKH): start with
morn - P2SH: start with
2 - Native SegWit (bech32): start with
tb1q… - Taproot (bech32m): start with
tb1p…
(Local regtest is the exception: its bech32 addresses use the bcrt1… prefix.)
Blocks & confirmations
Bitcoin targets one block roughly every 10 minutes, on testnet as on mainnet. In practice testnet timing is much bumpier, and blocks can arrive in a flurry or stall for a while. When your transaction is included in a block it has one confirmation; each block after that adds another. See how confirmations work.
Fees & UTXOs
Testnet transactions still pay fees and still follow the UTXO model, but the coins are free, so it costs nothing to see how fee rates change how quickly you confirm.
A node & RPC
You don't need your own node to use testnet, since a wallet and an explorer are enough. But running one is the best way to learn. Bitcoin Core starts on a test network with a flag:
bitcoind -testnet4 # or -signet, or -testnet (testnet3)
bitcoin-cli -testnet4 getblockchaininfoThe walkthrough at run a Litecoin testnet node follows the same pattern. When you do run a node, keep its RPC interface private, and see broadcasting a raw transaction for the developer path.
Network parameters
Testnet coins are fake money
- tBTC has no market value, so never buy or sell it. ("tBTC" is also the name of an unrelated token elsewhere; here it just means testnet BTC.)
- Never use a real seed phrase or import a real wallet on testnet.
- Never send mainnet BTC to a testnet address.