<p>Standard multisig outputs have max 3 keys, but it is possible to add up to 16 keys.</p>

<p>This limit is probably a result of the hard limit of output script size.</p>

<p>EDIT: source: I don't remember where I found this information. (I implemented it in <a href="https://github.com/dartcoin/dartcoin-lib" rel="nofollow">Dartcoin</a> and put that in the documentation.) As an alternative source, check out Mike Hearn's BitcoinJ implementation <a href="https://code.google.com/p/bitcoinj/source/browse/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/script/ScriptBuilder.java#132" rel="nofollow">here</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-20T19:11:38.213Z
If you use PS2H method there's no limit. Check Pieter's comment: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/23893/what-are-the-limits-of-m-and-n-in-m-of-n-multisig-addresses#comment28691_23915
Luca Matteis
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-10T10:16:38.033Z
2014-03-10T10:16:38.033Z
Steven Roose
<p><a href="https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0011.mediawiki">BIP 11</a> makes M-of-N multi-sig transactions standard --- for N &lt;= 3. What is the current support among miners for the multi-sig transactions with N > 3? (say 3-of-6). Also, BIP 11 states: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The current Satoshi bitcoin client does not relay or mine transactions with scriptSigs larger than 200 bytes; to accomodate 3-signature transactions, this will be increased to 500 bytes.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Does this still hold, and if yes, does this limit come into play for N > 3 or M > 3? What other obstacles are in the way of standardizing M-of-N for meaningful N?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-09T21:55:44.703Z
I suspect  the biggest obstacle is the fact that it will create a fork in the chain due to the fact new nodes can create seemingly invalid transactions for old nodes.
John T
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-10T12:46:54.753Z
Cross post from: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=508256.msg5618510#msg5618510
makerofthings7
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-20T18:30:40.073Z
What % of miners will mine these transactions where N > 3?
Brian Armstrong
<multi-signature>
Are multi-sig M-of-N transactions with N > 3 supported?
random
# Are multi-sig M-of-N transactions with N > 3 supported?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-03-09)

[BIP 11](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0011.mediawiki) makes M-of-N multi-sig transactions standard --- for N <= 3. What is the current support among miners for the multi-sig transactions with N > 3? (say 3-of-6). Also, BIP 11 states:

> The current Satoshi bitcoin client does not relay or mine transactions with scriptSigs larger than 200 bytes; to accomodate 3-signature transactions, this will be increased to 500 bytes.

Does this still hold, and if yes, does this limit come into play for N > 3 or M > 3? What other obstacles are in the way of standardizing M-of-N for meaningful N?

**Tags:** multi-signature

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I suspect  the biggest obstacle is the fact that it will create a fork in the chain due to the fact new nodes can create seemingly invalid transactions for old nodes.  
> **username_2**: Cross post from: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=508256.msg5618510#msg5618510  
> **username_3**: What % of miners will mine these transactions where N > 3?  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2014-03-10. Score: 1

Standard multisig outputs have max 3 keys, but it is possible to add up to 16 keys.

This limit is probably a result of the hard limit of output script size.

EDIT: source: I don't remember where I found this information. (I implemented it in [Dartcoin](https://github.com/dartcoin/dartcoin-lib) and put that in the documentation.) As an alternative source, check out Mike Hearn's BitcoinJ implementation [here](https://code.google.com/p/bitcoinj/source/browse/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/script/ScriptBuilder.java#132).

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: If you use PS2H method there's no limit. Check Pieter's comment: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/23893/what-are-the-limits-of-m-and-n-in-m-of-n-multisig-addresses#comment28691_23915  

---

