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About Token Decimals (ERC-20 or compatible)

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Decimals refer to how divisible a token can be, ranging from 0 (not divisible) to 18 (highly divisible). In some cases, the token contract may support even more or fewer decimals, depending on its design.

You may determine a token's decimals using the RPC method eth_call on the token's contract address or by consulting a blockchain explorer. If the information isn't readily available, consider checking the token's documentation via a web search.

EVM: Ethereum ERC-20 or compatible

To confirm the decimals of an ERC-20 (or compatible) token, you can either:

  • Query the token's contract using the RPC eth_call method.
  • Look up the token's contract address on a blockchain explorer.

Example: Find Decimals via RPC eth_call

curl --location 'https://ethereum-mainnet.gateway.tatum.io' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--header 'x-api-key: {YOUR_API_KEY}' \
--data '{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "eth_call",
  "params": [
    {
      "to": "0xdac17f958d2ee523a2206206994597c13d831ec7", // Replace with the token's contract address
      "data": "0x313ce567" // Keccak-256 hash of "decimals()"
    },
    "latest"
  ]
}'
//Response:
{
    "id": 1,
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "result": "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000006"
}

📘

The result value (0x06) indicates that the token supports 6 decimals.

Example: Find Decimals via a Blockchain Explorer

Example request to transfer tokens:

curl --location 'https://api.tatum.io/v3/blockchain/token/transaction' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--header 'x-api-key: {YOUR_API_KEY}' \
--data '{
    "chain": "ETH",
    "contractAddress": "0xdac17f958d2ee523a2206206994597c13d831ec7", //The Token Address
    "digits": 6, // Amount of supported decimals by the Token contract
    "amount": "1.123456", // Decimals amount must be lower or equal to "digits" parameter
    "to": "0x5593549ead3b3bd6e4b049ed607ec0f422208298",
    "nonce": 13,
    "fee": {
        "gasLimit": "52036",
        "gasPrice": "23"
    },
    "fromPrivateKey": "SENDER_ADDRESS_PRIVATE_KEY"
}'

import {sendEthOrErc20Transaction} from '@tatumio/tatum';
/**
 * Send Ethereum or supported ERC20 transaction to the blockchain.
 * @param chain - chain to work with
 * @param fromPrivateKey - private key of sender address. Private key, or signature Id must be present.
 * @param contractAddress - address of ERC20 token
 * @param digits - number of decimal points that ERC20 token has
 * @param amount - amount to be sent
 * @param to - blockchain address to send ERC20 token to
 * @returns transaction id of the transaction in the blockchain
 */
  const transaction = await sendEthOrErc20Transaction({
  chain: Currency.ETH,
  fromPrivateKey: '##_related_pric_address_here_##',
  contractAddress: '0xdac17f958d2ee523a2206206994597c13d831ec7', //ERC-20 Smart Contract Address
  digits: 6, // The token supports 6 decimals (see Token Contract)
  amount: "100000",
  to: "##_destination_address_here_##"
});

Tron: TRC-20

To confirm the decimals of a TRC-20 token, check its token address using the Tronscan Explorer.

Example Token: Tether USDT:

Example request to transfer tokens:

curl --location 'https://api.tatum.io/v3/tron/trc20/transaction' \
--header 'accept: application/json' \
--header 'content-type: application/json' \
--header 'x-api-key: {YOUR_API_KEY}' \
--data '
{
  "fromPrivateKey": "SENDER_ADDRESS_PRIVATE_KEY",
  "to": "TF48MUvZhSDpLFfC414b94Nj4LwqBFbXom",
  "tokenAddress": "TR7NHqjeKQxGTCi8q8ZY4pL8otSzgjLj6t", //TRC-20 Smart Contract Address
  "feeLimit": 100,
  "amount": "100.123456" // The token supports 6 decimals (see Token Contract)
}'

Updated 21 days ago