<p>The &quot;format&quot; field in the <code>getwalletinfo</code> RPC output of modern Bitcoin Core releases reports what file format your the respective wallet file is in. The possibilities are:</p>
<ul>
<li>&quot;bdb&quot;: BerkleleyDB file. This was the only supported format up until release v0.20.x</li>
<li>&quot;sqlite&quot;: SQLite file. This was added as an experimental option in release v0.21.0. It is only used for descriptor wallets, which are a new type of wallet, which won't be created by default.</li>
</ul>
<p>In short, unless you created a wallet with version v0.21.0 or later, and explicitly chose to create a descriptor wallet, this RPC will report &quot;bdb&quot;.</p>
<p>Wallets are created in one format, and stay in that format during lifetime. New Bitcoin Core versions will keep supporting both.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-04T15:06:34.223Z
I have format "bdb cheers.
marc ashworth
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-04T15:02:13.667Z
2021-10-04T15:02:13.667Z
Pieter Wuille
<p>When issuing the <code>getwalletinfo</code> RPC in Bitcoin Core, what are the possible results for the &quot;format&quot; field, and what do they mean?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-04T13:20:53.317Z
Please elaborate. What do you mean by format?
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-04T14:08:27.210Z
When put in getwalletinfo, you have wallet name, wallet version, and format, can you tell me what the format should say, thanks
marc ashworth
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-04T14:42:16.367Z
I don't understand what you mean by what it should be. It is what it is. The RPC reports what format your wallet it. It's not a means for detecting problems. The possibilities are "bdb" or "sqlite".
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-04T14:56:40.707Z
What is the differance between the two possibilities?
marc ashworth
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-04T15:04:11.200Z
I've taken the liberty to edit your question to what I think you actually want to know, and answered it. Feel free to comment if this wasn't what you're looking for.
Pieter Wuille
<wallet>
What wallet formats are supported by Bitcoin Core?
marc ashworth
# What wallet formats are supported by Bitcoin Core?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-10-04)

When issuing the `getwalletinfo` RPC in Bitcoin Core, what are the possible results for the "format" field, and what do they mean?

**Tags:** wallet

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Please elaborate. What do you mean by format?  
> **username_0**: When put in getwalletinfo, you have wallet name, wallet version, and format, can you tell me what the format should say, thanks  
> **username_1**: I don't understand what you mean by what it should be. It is what it is. The RPC reports what format your wallet it. It's not a means for detecting problems. The possibilities are "bdb" or "sqlite".  
> **username_0**: What is the differance between the two possibilities?  
> **username_1**: I've taken the liberty to edit your question to what I think you actually want to know, and answered it. Feel free to comment if this wasn't what you're looking for.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-10-04. Score: 1

The "format" field in the `getwalletinfo` RPC output of modern Bitcoin Core releases reports what file format your the respective wallet file is in. The possibilities are:

* "bdb": BerkleleyDB file. This was the only supported format up until release v0.20.x
* "sqlite": SQLite file. This was added as an experimental option in release v0.21.0. It is only used for descriptor wallets, which are a new type of wallet, which won't be created by default.

In short, unless you created a wallet with version v0.21.0 or later, and explicitly chose to create a descriptor wallet, this RPC will report "bdb".

Wallets are created in one format, and stay in that format during lifetime. New Bitcoin Core versions will keep supporting both.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I have format "bdb cheers.  

---

