Glossary: ERC-721
ERC-721 is Ethereum’s standard for non-fungible tokens. Each token ID is distinct within its contract, which is why the standard is commonly used for NFTs and other unique digital items.
What is ERC721?
ERC-721 is an Ethereum standard for non-fungible tokens. Each token has a distinct ID within its contract, which can represent a unique item or claim; the standard does not establish the real-world rights attached to it.
ERC-721 Explained
ERC-721 is a rulebook for making unique tokens on Ethereum.
Some tokens are like dollar bills: one is the same as another. ERC-721 tokens are different because each one has its own identity.
Think of it like a collectible trading card. Even if two cards are from the same game, each card can have different traits, history, or value.
That is why ERC-721 is commonly used for NFTs, digital art, gaming items, memberships, tickets, and other assets where each item needs to be one of a kind.
What ERC-721 Means For
Audience | Use Case |
|---|---|
NFT creators and artists | Create unique digital collectibles, artwork, memberships, or access passes. |
Game developers | Represent in-game items such as characters, skins, weapons, or land as unique tokens. |
Protocol and product teams | Build ownership-based experiences where each asset needs a separate identity and history. |
Examples
A digital artist launches a collection of 5,000 NFTs. Each artwork is an ERC-721 token with its own token ID and metadata.
A blockchain game uses ERC-721 tokens for rare characters. Each character can have different traits, levels, and ownership history.
A music platform issues ERC-721 tokens as limited-edition fan passes that unlock special content or events.
A ticketing product uses ERC-721 tokens to represent individual event tickets, making each ticket unique and traceable.
Related reading
Explore Tokens, Smart Contract, Application Binary Interface (ABI), Mint, and Burn.
FAQs
What does ERC-721 mean?
ERC-721 is an Ethereum token standard for creating unique, non-fungible tokens.
Is ERC-721 the same as an NFT?
Not exactly. ERC-721 is a standard used to create many NFTs on Ethereum.
How is ERC-721 different from ERC-20?
ERC-20 tokens are interchangeable. ERC-721 tokens are unique and not one-to-one replaceable.
What is ERC-721 used for?
ERC-721 is used for NFTs, collectibles, game items, tickets, memberships, and digital ownership.
Can ERC-721 tokens be traded?
Yes. ERC-721 tokens can be bought, sold, or transferred between wallets and marketplaces.
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