Multisig wallet calculator
Compare multisig set-ups such as 2-of-3 and 3-of-5: how many keys you can lose before the funds are locked, how many a thief would need, and the rough chance of each against a single-key wallet. Free, no sign-up, nothing leaves your browser.
The chances are your own rough guesses for a set period, such as a year; the starting numbers are only examples. Keys are treated as independent, so keeping them in different places with different people matters. This is a thinking aid, not security advice.
| Set-up | Can lose | Thief needs | Locked | Stolen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-of-1 (single key) | 0 | 1 | 5% | 1% |
| 2-of-2 | 0 | 2 | 9.75% | 0.01% |
| 2-of-3 | 1 | 2 | 0.725% | 0.03% |
| 3-of-5 | 2 | 3 | 0.116% | under 0.001% |
How a multisig wallet works
A normal crypto wallet is controlled by one private key: whoever has it can move the funds. A multisig, short for multisignature, wallet needs approval from several keys before any payment goes out, such as two out of three. Companies, funds and crypto exchanges use it so no single person can move large sums alone.
The trade-offs
Multisig adds safety but also steps: payments take longer to approve, set-up is more complex, and losing too many keys can lock the funds for good. Fees can also be a little higher on some blockchains.
Launch your own crypto app
On a SendPay crypto platform your customers buy, sell and hold crypto in their app, and assets are held with regulated partners rather than in wallets your customers manage themselves. You set your own trading fee.