BitcoinMadeClear

What is a satoshi?

A satoshi is a small unit of bitcoin, often called a sat. One bitcoin contains 100,000,000 satoshis, so sats let you describe small amounts without many decimal places.

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Is it another coin?

No. BTC and sats are units for the same money. Changing the unit on a wallet screen changes how the amount is written, not which asset you hold.

The relation between the units is fixed. Their value in a national currency can still change. A conversion between BTC and sats is not a price quote.

The same amount written in different unitsThis is a unit conversion, not a price: 0.00001000 BTC equals 1,000 sats.Bitcoin unit0.00001000 BTCSatoshi unit1,000 sats
This is a unit conversion, not a price: 0.00001000 BTC equals 1,000 sats.

How can you read an amount?

For a unit example, 0.00001000 BTC is 1,000 sats. You get the satoshi amount by multiplying the BTC amount by 100,000,000. Both expressions describe the same amount of bitcoin.

If a payment request uses sats while your wallet shows BTC, check the unit before comparing the amounts. Do not assume that a large-looking number of sats means a large number of whole bitcoins.

What should you check on a payment?

Look at the amount and its unit together. Check the fee separately, then read the final payment summary. Knowing a unit helps you read the screen; it does not mean you need to make a payment.

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