Bech32 Encoding Decoding

Bech32 / Bech32m Encoding/Decoding Skill

Use this skill to convert between hex/base58 inputs and bech32/bech32m strings, or to decode bech32/bech32m back to base16. The local bech32 and bech32m binaries read data from standard input and writes to standard output.

When to use

• When you need to inspect or transform bech32/bech32m strings for debugging or tests
• When you need to encode raw bytes (hex/base58) to a bech32/bech32m prefix
• When you need to decode a bech32/bech32m string to base16

Tooling

• bech32 [PREFIX] converts to/from bech32 strings (useful for Cardano addresses)
• bech32m [PREFIX] converts to/from bech32m strings (useful for Midnight addresses)
• Input is read from stdin
• Output is printed to stdout
• Supported input formats: Base16, Bech32, Base58 (bech32)
• Supported input formats: Base16, Bech32m, Base58 (bech32m)

Operating rules (must follow)

• Confirm the target human-readable prefix (HRP) before encoding
• Prefer piping input via <<< or printf so the payload is explicit
• For decoding, omit the prefix argument to ensure base16 output
• Use bech32m for Midnight bech32m strings; omit the prefix to decode to base16
• Never alter user data; report exact output from the tool

Common HRPs

• Midnight (bech32m): mn_shield-addr_<network>, mn_addr_<network>, mn_dust_<network>
• Cardano (bech32): addr, addr_test

Execution workflow

Step 1: Identify the input type

• Base16 hex string (preferred for raw bytes)
• Base58 string
• Bech32 string

Step 2: Encode to bech32

bech32 <prefix> <<< <hex-or-base58-input>

Step 3: Decode from bech32 to base16

bech32 <<< <bech32-input>

Step 4: Encode to bech32m (Midnight)

bech32m <prefix> <<< <hex-or-base58-input>

Step 5: Decode from bech32m to base16

bech32m <<< <bech32m-input>

Examples

Encode hex to bech32:

bech32 addr <<< 71ab222c7f223c4c0e297d11fbf6e6a082eb41db5e8539fcfb822c76c3

Expected output:

addr1wx4jytrlyg7ycr3f05glhahx5zpwkswmt6znnl8msgk8dsccv8766

Decode bech32 to hex:

bech32 <<< addr1wx4jytrlyg7ycr3f05glhahx5zpwkswmt6znnl8msgk8dsccv8766

Expected output:

71ab222c7f223c4c0e297d11fbf6e6a082eb41db5e8539fcfb822c76c3

Convert from base58 to bech32:

bech32 base58_ <<< Ae2tdPwUPEYy

Expected output:

base58_1p58rejhd9592uusa8pzj2

Encode hex to bech32m (Midnight address HRP):

bech32m mn_addr_testnet <<< 706174617465

Expected output:

mn_addr_testnet1wpshgct5v5ucrhhp

Decode Midnight bech32m to hex:

bech32m <<< mn_addr_testnet1wpshgct5v5ucrhhp

Expected output:

706174617465

Encode hex to bech32m (shield addr HRP):

bech32m mn_shield-addr_testnet <<< 706174617465

Expected output:

mn_shield-addr_testnet1wpshgct5v5m3l88f

Encode hex to bech32m (dust HRP):

bech32m mn_dust_testnet <<< 706174617465

Expected output:

mn_dust_testnet1wpshgct5v5p6cup0

Common pitfalls

• Using the wrong HRP when encoding; bech32/bech32m are prefix-sensitive
• Passing bech32/bech32m input with a prefix argument (this re-encodes instead of decoding)
• Including whitespace or newlines inside the input payload
• Prefixing hex input with 0x; the tool expects raw hex only

Error signals

• Unable to detect input encoding usually means the input contains a prefix (0x) or non-hex characters

Diagnosis workflow (quick)

1. Confirm input type and remove any 0x prefix for hex.
2. If encoding: verify the HRP you intend to use.
3. If decoding: ensure you omit the prefix argument.
4. Re-run with a minimal test case to validate the tool:
   • bech32 base16_ <<< 706174617465
   • bech32 <<< base16_1wpshgct5v5r5mxh0

References

• bech32 --help
• bech32m --help

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