logo
  • menu
  • Markets
  • ETFs
  • Live
  • Spot
  • Futures
  • Learn
  • Sign In
  • Sign Up
  • Downloads
  • English
  • |
  • USD
  • |
Sign Up
Crypto PricesLearnLatest NewsDownloadsMarketsSpotAnnouncements
Home/
Learn/
Crypto Basics

What is the Definition of Wei? How does a Wei Work?

By Jerry McNeill
May 5, 2023
4.5 
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
 443 User Rating
Share

In this article, you will learn what is the definition of Wei. Although a more complex measurement standard is rare among fiat currencies, most cryptocurrencies utilize multiple subunits. As a result, there is often confusion surrounding the terminology and relative value of crypto names and denominations. So, if you are trying to invest in crypto, you will need to research that crypto and the denomination of that crypto is important too. 

What is the Definition of Wei?

WEI is the smallest and invisible particle of Ether (ETH).

Bitcoin consists of millions of Satoshi, and the Ethereum cryptocurrency is divided into smaller parts. The exchange unit is called Ethereum "Ether". To denote the use of ETH abbreviation.

All small bills are named after the pioneers in the field of cryptography. The wei is named after Wei Dai, best known as the creator of the bitcoin predecessor "b-money" and as the developer of the Crypto++ library. One ether = 1.000. 000.000.000.000.000 wei (10^18). The other way to look at it is one wei is one quintillionth of an ether.. The reference air separability allows it to operate with microscopic accuracy, up to trillions, with different amounts of money.

How does a Wei Work?

As the price of some cryptocurrencies has grown exponentially, people wonder how you make change out of digital asset tokens like ether. A US dollar is only divisible into 100 parts, and a penny is the atomic unit of US currency. But digital cryptocurrencies are divisible into much, much smaller units.

To correctly denote the quantity of a transaction that may appear to be a very small fraction in terms of ether but a high value when converted to US dollars or other real-world currencies, new units have been named to correctly identify and support the transactions.

The smallest unit of the Ethereum cryptocurrency, ether, is called the wei after Wei Dai, a cryptography activist who is known for supporting the widespread use of strong cryptography and privacy-oriented technologies.

Ether has many names for different units of wei. The names of these sub-units indicate the quantity of the units (for example, a kwei is a kilo, meaning a thousand wei), but they have informal names as well. For example, the kwei is also known as a "babbage" and a gwei is commonly referred to as a "shannon."

Bigger Units

After that, there is the Microether, which is worth a trillion Wei and the Milliether, which is worth a quadrillion Wei. If we want to take things the other way, a Kether is 1.000 ETH, while 1.000 Kether make a Mether, 1.000 Mether make a Gether and 1.000 Gether make the confusingly-named Tether, which should not be confused with the stablecoin of the same name, which takes the USDT ticker.

Bottom Line

You will need to do your own research before you invest in a crypto like Ether. This article will help you with the knowledge of what is the definition of Wei.

Disclaimer: The information on this page may have been obtained from third parties and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of BitKan. This content is provided for general informational purposes only, without any representation or warranty of any kind, nor shall it be construed as financial or investment advice. BitKan shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, or for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information. Investments in digital assets can be risky. Please carefully evaluate the risks of a product and your risk tolerance based on your own financial circumstances. Products mentioned in this article may not be available in your region.

Related Articles

  • What are Ethereum meme coins? Why are they surging now?

    What are Ethereum meme coins? Why are they surging now?

    Ethereum meme coins are tokens built on the Ethereum blockchain that gain value primarily from cultural narratives, viral attention, and community momentum rather than traditional utility.
    Cornell Rachel
    Apr 23, 2026
  • What Is ERC-8211? How Does It Help AI Wallets Execute DeFi?

    What Is ERC-8211? How Does It Help AI Wallets Execute DeFi?

    ERC-8211 is a standard that turns a batch of transactions into a dynamic execution program instead of a fixed transaction list.
    Barry Stidham
    Apr 21, 2026
  • Is Bitcoin a Liquidity Indicator? Can It Predict Market Risk?

    Is Bitcoin a Liquidity Indicator? Can It Predict Market Risk?

    Bitcoin is considered a liquidity indicator since it is highly sensitive to changes in financial conditions.
    Martha Grizzard
    Apr 21, 2026

Latest Articles

Crypto Basics

Tutorials

Currencies

Investing

  • What is Bitwise Hyperliquid ETF? How Does BHYP Work?

    What is Bitwise Hyperliquid ETF? How Does BHYP Work?

    The Bitwise Hyperliquid ETF is a spot-based investment vehicle that holds the physical HYPE token rather than derivatives or futures contracts.
    Hallie Gill
    May 18, 2026
  • What is PaperTrade on HyperEVM? Is Zero Funding Real?

    What is PaperTrade on HyperEVM? Is Zero Funding Real?

    PaperTrade is a high-performance perpetual exchange deployed on HyperEVM, the permissionless smart contract layer of the Hyperliquid L1.
    Craig Green
    May 18, 2026
  • What Is Circle Arc? How Does the New USDC Blockchain Work?

    What Is Circle Arc? How Does the New USDC Blockchain Work?

    Circle Arc is a specialized Layer-1 blockchain developed by Circle Internet Financial, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin.
    Barry Stidham
    May 18, 2026
  • What is POD Token? How Does ITS Dolphin AI Flywheel Work?

    What is POD Token? How Does ITS Dolphin AI Flywheel Work?

    The POD token is the central utility and value-capture mechanism for the Dolphin AI inference network.
    James Dean
    May 13, 2026
  • How Much Would $100 Invested in Bitcoin in 2009 Be Worth Today?

    How Much Would $100 Invested in Bitcoin in 2009 Be Worth Today?

    If you had bought Bitcoin in 2009, a $100 investment would have bought approximately 111,111 Bitcoins. At a price of $75,000, that would be worth over $8.3 billion today.
    Craig Green
    Apr 28, 2026
View more data 

Content

BTCBTC(BTC)
$0
--(Last 24h)
SpotFutures

Top

View more
  1. 1How To Sign Up For A BitKan Account (Web)?
  2. 2When Is Bitcoin Halving 2024? What Does Bitcoin Halving Do?
  3. 3What is Etherscan Used For and How to Find Token Decimal on Etherscan
  4. 4What is USDC used for? Why is USDC used?

Top Gainers

View more
Opinion
OpinionOPN

$0.2342

+102.42%
Backpack
BackpackBP

$0.2687

+42.47%
Superfortune
SuperfortuneGUA

$1.1136

+38.43%
Worldcoin
WorldcoinWLD

$0.5216

+27.06%
Ethena
EthenaENA

$0.1143

+26.30%

Top Trending

View more
Ethena
EthenaENA

$0.1143

+26.30%
DeAgentAI
DeAgentAIAIA

$0.0765

+13.79%
Worldcoin
WorldcoinWLD

$0.5218

+27.11%
Monero
MoneroXMR

$355.710

+4.91%
NEAR Protocol
NEAR ProtocolNEAR

$2.8360

+12.14%

Recently added

View more
Citrea
CitreaCTR

$0.0184

+8.73%
Solstice
SolsticeSLX

$0.2690

-25.07%
Nexus
NexusNEX

$0.00000303

-10.80%
Zest Protocol
Zest ProtocolZEST

$0.1471

-2.19%
Animal Welfare Fund
Animal Welfare FundAWF

$0.001229

-20.66%

Latest News

View more
  1. 1Bitcoin Slumps Below $77k as Iran Tensions & Inflation Rise
  2. 2VerifiedX Launches Bitcoin Sidechain for Native DeFi Privacy
  3. 3Japan’s SBI and Rakuten Plan Crypto Trusts as Rules Finalize
  4. 4Senate Advances CLARITY Act: A New Era for U.S. Crypto Oversight
  5. 5US Inflation Hits 3.8%: High Rates to Stay, Crypto Pressured
About Us
  • About BitKan
  • Contact Us
  • Announcements
  • VIP Program
  • BitKan Ambassador
  • Institutional Services
Products
  • Spot
  • Futures
  • Crypto Prices
  • Learn
  • News
  • Markets
  • How to Buy Crypto
  • BTC to USD Calculator
  • Reward
Help
  • Help Center
  • Email Us
  • Live Chat
  • Download APP
  • Listing Application
  • Buy Bitcoin
  • Buy Ethereum
  • Buy Dogecoin
  • Buy Altcoins
Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trading Rules
  • Fee
K-Site
English
About Us
+
  • About BitKan
  • Contact Us
  • Announcements
  • VIP Program
  • BitKan Ambassador
  • Institutional Services
Products
+
  • Spot
  • Futures
  • Crypto Prices
  • Learn
  • News
  • Markets
  • How to Buy Crypto
  • BTC to USD Calculator
  • Reward
Help
+
  • Help Center
  • Email Us
  • Live Chat
  • Download APP
  • Listing Application
  • Buy Bitcoin
  • Buy Ethereum
  • Buy Dogecoin
  • Buy Altcoins
Terms
+
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trading Rules
  • Fee
K-Site
+
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Linkedin
@2012-2026 BITKAN.com