Can I tell from an 0x address whether it's on Ethereum, Base or Polygon?

No. EVM networks such as Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche and BNB Chain use the same address format, and the same address exists on all of them. Ask the recipient which network they want, in writing, and choose that network when you send.

What does a Tron address look like?

34 characters starting with T, in Base58Check: the last characters are a checksum of the rest, so a single wrong character makes the address fail the check. In hex the same address is 42 characters starting with 41.

What happens if I send USDT to a token contract address?

Usually the tokens are lost: a token contract isn't a wallet, and nobody controls a private key for it. The checker warns when you paste the USDT or USDC contract on a network Align tracks.

Is anything I paste sent to Align?

No. The check runs in your browser, using the address formats each network publishes. Nothing you paste leaves the page.

Which network is this wallet address on?

Paste a wallet address to see which network it belongs to: Tron, an EVM network such as Ethereum or Base, or Solana. It also catches typos that break a checksum, transaction hashes pasted by mistake and token contracts that aren't wallets.

Free. Runs in your browser.

Wallet address

The check runs in your browser as you type. Nothing you paste is sent anywhere.

How the checker decides

Tron. 34 characters starting with T, in Base58Check, according to Tron's docs. The address decodes to a 0x41 prefix, 20 address bytes and a 4-byte checksum, and the checker recomputes the checksum, so a mistyped character fails.
EVM networks. 0x followed by 40 hex characters. When the letters mix upper and lower case, the case encodes an EIP-55 checksum, which the checker verifies. An address in all one case carries no checksum.
Solana. A base58 string that decodes to 32 bytes, the size of a Solana account address.
Everything else. Bitcoin and TON addresses, and transaction hashes, are recognised by their shape, so the checker can tell you what you pasted.

Why an 0x address doesn't tell you the network

Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche's C-Chain and BNB Chain all use the same address format, and an address created on one exists on all of them. A wallet will send USDT on Polygon to an address the recipient only watches on Ethereum without any warning. The address can't settle it: ask the recipient which network they want, in writing, and check the network field before you send.

Tron is related: its docs say the 20 bytes after the 41 prefix are the same as the Ethereum address derived from the same key. That's why some wallets show both forms for one key, and why the network still has to match. Which network to use for USDT and USDC compares them.

Token contracts aren't wallets

Every USDT or USDC token has a contract address, published by Tether or Circle, and it's easy to copy by mistake from an explorer or a token list. Sending tokens to it usually loses them. The checker warns when you paste one of the contracts on these networks:

Before you send

Get the address and the network in writing, from a channel you already trust, and confirm them by phone for a new payee.
Send a small test first, and wait for the recipient to confirm it arrived.
Compare the whole address, not just the start and end. Address poisoning scams send you a tiny transfer from a lookalike address, hoping you copy it from your history.
Check the network field on the withdrawal screen, and the memo or tag if the recipient gave one.

If a transfer has already gone to the wrong network or address, see what to do if you send USDT or USDC to the wrong network.

Common questions

Can I tell from an 0x address whether it's on Ethereum, Base or Polygon?: No. EVM networks such as Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche and BNB Chain use the same address format, and the same address exists on all of them. Ask the recipient which network they want, in writing, and choose that network when you send.
What does a Tron address look like?: 34 characters starting with T, in Base58Check: the last characters are a checksum of the rest, so a single wrong character makes the address fail the check. In hex the same address is 42 characters starting with 41.
What happens if I send USDT to a token contract address?: Usually the tokens are lost: a token contract isn't a wallet, and nobody controls a private key for it. The checker warns when you paste the USDT or USDC contract on a network Align tracks.
Is anything I paste sent to Align?: No. The check runs in your browser, using the address formats each network publishes. Nothing you paste leaves the page.

Sources

Ethereum Improvement Proposals, ERC-55: Mixed-case checksum address encoding
TRON, Accounts and keys: address format
Solana, Program Derived Addresses
Tether, Supported protocols and integration guidelines
Circle, USDC contract addresses

A format check, not a guarantee: a valid address can still belong to someone other than the person you mean to pay. Always confirm the address and network with the recipient.

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