<blockquote>
<p><strong>Is &quot;derivation path&quot; the correct term</strong>
<strong>and where did it come from</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>It is very widely used and you can see part of the origins in BIP-44 from 2014-04-24</p>
<blockquote>
<h2>Path levels</h2>
<p>We define the following 5 levels in BIP32 path:</p>
<p><code>m / purpose' / coin_type' / account' / change / address_index</code></p>
<p>Apostrophe in the <strong>path</strong> indicates that BIP32 hardened <strong>derivation</strong> is used.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><sup>(My emphasis added)</sup></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-09T20:41:46.433Z
Thanks man, that's close enough for me.
Tobin
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-09T09:14:51.090Z
2024-04-09T09:30:01.803Z
2024-04-09T09:30:01.803Z
RedGrittyBrick
<p>BIP-32 never mentions the term &quot;derivation path&quot; but a quick search (<a href="https://bitcoinsearch.xyz/?search=derivation+path" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://bitcoinsearch.xyz/?search=derivation+path</a>) returns a bunch of results so one must assume &quot;derivation path&quot; is part of the Bitcoin vernacular.</p>
<p>Two questions please:</p>
<ol>
<li>Is &quot;derivation path&quot; the correct term?</li>
<li>If so, where did it come from (is it specified or just use colloquially)?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks</p>

<bip32-hd-wallets><terminology>
Where does the term "derivation path" originate
Tobin
# Where does the term "derivation path" originate

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-04-09)

BIP-32 never mentions the term "derivation path" but a quick search (<https://bitcoinsearch.xyz/?search=derivation+path>) returns a bunch of results so one must assume "derivation path" is part of the Bitcoin vernacular.

Two questions please:

1. Is "derivation path" the correct term?
2. If so, where did it come from (is it specified or just use colloquially)?

Thanks

**Tags:** bip32-hd-wallets, terminology


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-04-09. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

> **Is "derivation path" the correct term**
> **and where did it come from**

It is very widely used and you can see part of the origins in BIP-44 from 2014-04-24

> ## Path levels
>
> We define the following 5 levels in BIP32 path:
>
> `m / purpose' / coin_type' / account' / change / address_index`
>
> Apostrophe in the **path** indicates that BIP32 hardened **derivation** is used.

(My emphasis added)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks man, that's close enough for me.  

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