<p>Cardano follows the BIP32-ed25519 standard for HD key derivation. <a href="https://input-output-hk.github.io/cardano-wallet/concepts/hierarchical-deterministic-wallets" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Read more about it here.</a></p>
<p>In a nutshell, a virtually infinite number of public/private addresses/keys pairs can be derived from a single master key-pair, which itself is derived from an entropic secret (usually in the form of a 24-word mnemonic). Staking (and all other types of) keypairs on Cardano can, in principle, be generated from the same set of root keys, <strong>though this is not recommended</strong> unless you know how to manage private keys yourself.</p>
<p>Keys used in Cardano transactions are 5 derivations away from the master seed. Your &quot;wallet&quot; is the middle number <code>x</code> in that whole mess there.</p>
<p>m / 1852' / 1815' / x' / 0, 1, or 2 / n</p>
<p>where:</p>
<ul>
<li>m is the mnemonic</li>
<li>1852 is the coin (ADA) ID#</li>
<li>1815 is an extra, unused path</li>
<li>x is the account/wallet index #</li>
<li>0/1 are wallet x's payment/change keys-paths, and 2 is it's staking key-path</li>
<li>n is the key #</li>
</ul>
<p>Also, the <code>'</code> symbol means hardened derivation is used, meaning the child keypairs will be able to make keypaths of their own. if hardened derivation is not useed, the child keys will be &quot;infertile&quot;.</p>
<p>Many unique wallets with unique staking keys can be derived from the same master seeds. Unfortunately, most wallet software like Daedalus and or Yoroi don't do this by default. The good news is this can all be done manually using CLI tools!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-03-20T11:12:19.580Z
great answer, thank you
Dale Botha
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-09-29T10:16:04.240Z
The link has been moved, here's the latest working link: https://input-output-hk.github.io/adrestia/cardano-wallet/concepts/hierarchical-deterministic-wallets
Dani Ihza Farrosi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-03-19T02:25:29.830Z
2022-03-19T02:31:00.077Z
2022-03-19T02:31:00.077Z
zhekson
<p>It comes from CCVault.  I saw it in the 'Receive' tab.</p>
<pre><code>You can specify a part of the address, or a derivation path like &quot;m/1852'/1815'/0'/1/32&quot;, &quot;1815 0 1 32&quot; or &quot;0 1 32&quot;.   
</code></pre>
<p>...and what do the various numbers mean?</p>

<address><cardano-address><ccvault>
What is the derivation path in a Cardano address?
# What is the derivation path in a Cardano address?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-03-18)

It comes from CCVault.  I saw it in the 'Receive' tab.
You can specify a part of the address, or a derivation path like "m/1852'/1815'/0'/1/32", "1815 0 1 32" or "0 1 32".   

...and what do the various numbers mean?

**Tags:** address, cardano-address, ccvault

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-03-19. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

Cardano follows the BIP32-ed25519 standard for HD key derivation. [Read more about it here.](https://input-output-hk.github.io/cardano-wallet/concepts/hierarchical-deterministic-wallets)

In a nutshell, a virtually infinite number of public/private addresses/keys pairs can be derived from a single master key-pair, which itself is derived from an entropic secret (usually in the form of a 24-word mnemonic). Staking (and all other types of) keypairs on Cardano can, in principle, be generated from the same set of root keys, **though this is not recommended** unless you know how to manage private keys yourself.

Keys used in Cardano transactions are 5 derivations away from the master seed. Your "wallet" is the middle number `x` in that whole mess there.

m / 1852' / 1815' / x' / 0, 1, or 2 / n

where:

* m is the mnemonic
* 1852 is the coin (ADA) ID#
* 1815 is an extra, unused path
* x is the account/wallet index #
* 0/1 are wallet x's payment/change keys-paths, and 2 is it's staking key-path
* n is the key #

Also, the `'` symbol means hardened derivation is used, meaning the child keypairs will be able to make keypaths of their own. if hardened derivation is not useed, the child keys will be "infertile".

Many unique wallets with unique staking keys can be derived from the same master seeds. Unfortunately, most wallet software like Daedalus and or Yoroi don't do this by default. The good news is this can all be done manually using CLI tools!

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: great answer, thank you  
> **username_2**: The link has been moved, here's the latest working link: https://input-output-hk.github.io/adrestia/cardano-wallet/concepts/hierarchical-deterministic-wallets  

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