<p>The public key becomes known once you try to spend the output as part of the transaction spending that output. Before then only the address is known. This is one reason you should not reuse the same address twice, although a more important reason to not do that is your and others' privacy</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T23:27:28.533Z
2016-10-11T23:27:28.533Z
Jannes
<p>I am wondering if the public keys are broadcast to the network. I know that we are using addresses derived from the public key, but could we get the public key itself? Does this depend on which wallet the user uses?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T23:42:24.247Z
It depends on whether you're using Pay to Public Key or Pay to Public Key Hash. Most people use P2PKH.
Nick ODell
<transactions>
How can I get the public key?
Etherkimist
# How can I get the public key?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-11)

I am wondering if the public keys are broadcast to the network. I know that we are using addresses derived from the public key, but could we get the public key itself? Does this depend on which wallet the user uses?

**Tags:** transactions

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It depends on whether you're using Pay to Public Key or Pay to Public Key Hash. Most people use P2PKH.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-10-11. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

The public key becomes known once you try to spend the output as part of the transaction spending that output. Before then only the address is known. This is one reason you should not reuse the same address twice, although a more important reason to not do that is your and others' privacy


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