Last updated: October 15, 2026
A Monero seed phrase is the list of words — 25 words in the classic format, 16 in the newer Polyseed format — that can fully rebuild your wallet and all its XMR on any device; back it up offline on paper or metal, write down the restore height (or wallet date), and never store it in a screenshot, cloud note or email. Anyone with the seed controls your Monero. Set this up before you fund a wallet with a swap such as BTC → XMR.
- 25 words (classic seed)
- 16 words (Polyseed)
- 1 restore height to note
- 0 copies online
Monero seed formats at a glance
| Format | Words | Restore date built in? | Used by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Monero mnemonic | 25 | No — note the restore height separately | Monero GUI/CLI, Cake Wallet, Monerujo, most wallets |
| Polyseed | 16 | Yes — wallet birthday is encoded | Feather and a growing number of wallets |
| Legacy 13-word (MyMonero) | 13 | No | Older light wallets |
A Monero seed is not compatible with Bitcoin's BIP-39 12/24-word phrases. A multi-coin wallet may show a BIP-39 phrase for its other coins and a separate Monero seed — back up both.
What the restore height is and why it matters
When you restore from a classic 25-word seed, the wallet has to scan the blockchain for your transactions. Without a restore height (the block number around when the wallet was created) it scans from 2014, which can take hours. Note the height or the creation date next to your seed. Polyseed stores the wallet birthday inside the 16 words, so restores are fast automatically.
How to back up your Monero seed (step by step)
- Write it by hand on paper as soon as the wallet shows it — in order, numbered, spelled exactly.
- Add the restore height or date and which wallet app you used.
- Verify the backup: most wallets ask you to re-enter some words — don't skip it.
- Make a durable copy on a steel plate for fire and water resistance.
- Store copies in two safe places, never together with the device.
- Test a restore with a small amount on another device before you hold much — a small USDT → XMR swap is enough.
Common seed mistakes that lose Monero
- Photos and screenshots — they sync to cloud backups and get stolen by malware, the same malware behind clipboard address swaps.
- Password managers and notes apps — one breached account exposes everything.
- Typing the seed into a website — no legitimate exchange or support team ever asks for it. A no-KYC swap only needs your receiving address, never your seed — see are no-KYC swaps safe.
- Losing the wallet password but not the seed is fine; losing the seed and the device is final.
- Mixing up formats — restore a 16-word Polyseed in a wallet that supports Polyseed.
Seed, keys and view-only wallets
Your seed generates two key pairs: the private spend key (moves funds) and the private view key (sees incoming funds). You can share a view key with an accountant or create a view-only wallet to watch a cold wallet without risking it, and pair it with your own Monero node. For the biggest balances, keep the seed on a hardware wallet — see best Monero wallets. For everyday privacy habits, use a new subaddress for each payment.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a Monero seed?
25 words in the classic format used by most wallets, or 16 words in the newer Polyseed format. Some old light wallets used 13 words.
Can I restore a Monero seed in another wallet?
Yes — a classic 25-word seed restores in any standard Monero wallet. A 16-word Polyseed needs a wallet that supports Polyseed.
What if I lost my restore height?
You can still restore; the wallet just scans from an earlier block, which takes longer. Entering an approximate date before your first transaction works too.
Is my Monero seed the same as my Bitcoin seed?
No. Monero uses its own seed format, separate from Bitcoin's BIP-39 phrases. Back up each one.
Does an exchange need my seed to swap XMR?
Never. A swap only needs your receiving address. Anyone asking for your seed is trying to steal your funds.
Wallet backed up? Fund it privately: BTC → XMR, USDT → XMR or how to buy XMR. No account, no ID, no logs.