<blockquote>
  <p>They represent both the same "information". The NXT-... is the same as
  the ID but expressed in Reed Solomon format which among other things
  has these benefits:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>It can handle up to 2 typos, not that you should purposefully type it wrong, but if you write one or two wrong digits, your funds will
  still go to the designated account. It is not infallible but it gives
  an additional layer of "confidence". </li>
  <li>It is easier to read. A long string of numbers is not the easiest thing to read/digit, you leave a digit behind or type one wrong and
  your transaction goes to somebody else. </li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>more info:  <a href="http://wiki.nxtcrypto.org/wiki/RS_Address_Format" rel="nofollow">http://wiki.nxtcrypto.org/wiki/RS_Address_Format</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>credit: <a href="https://nxtforum.org/nxt-helpdesk/why-two-different-account-numbers/" rel="nofollow">https://nxtforum.org/nxt-helpdesk/why-two-different-account-numbers/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-11T17:06:26.753Z
2014-07-11T17:06:26.753Z
Patoshi パトシ
<p>Starting in software version 1.1.3, the numeric account format has been changed to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed%E2%80%93Solomon_error_correction" rel="nofollow">Reed-Solomon</a> format by default (the account address starting with NXT- ) which provides higher security against typing mistakes. You still can use both address formats, but the new format is recommended.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-01T18:01:11.420Z
2014-07-01T18:01:11.420Z
Dennis Kriechel
<p>The new Reed-Solomon account number for Nxt Cryptocurrency will always start with NXT and is much easier to say. I imagine them on a piece of plastic like a credit card...</p>

<p>Accounts can also be represented by an alias which can be used to receive transactions.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-08T18:53:53.467Z
2014-07-08T18:53:53.467Z
QBTC
<p>For NXT, why are there 2 different ways of identifying your NXT account? There is a Account ID and Account Numeric ID.</p>

<p>What was the differences and why was it done like this?</p>

<p>What are advantages/disadvantages from using one or the other?</p>

<wallet><nxt>
In NXT, what is the difference from Account ID and Account Numeric ID?
Patoshi パトシ
# In NXT, what is the difference from Account ID and Account Numeric ID?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-01)

For NXT, why are there 2 different ways of identifying your NXT account? There is a Account ID and Account Numeric ID.

What was the differences and why was it done like this?

What are advantages/disadvantages from using one or the other?

**Tags:** wallet, nxt


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2014-07-11. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

> They represent both the same "information". The NXT-... is the same as
> the ID but expressed in Reed Solomon format which among other things
> has these benefits:
>
> 1. It can handle up to 2 typos, not that you should purposefully type it wrong, but if you write one or two wrong digits, your funds will
>    still go to the designated account. It is not infallible but it gives
>    an additional layer of "confidence".
> 2. It is easier to read. A long string of numbers is not the easiest thing to read/digit, you leave a digit behind or type one wrong and
>    your transaction goes to somebody else.
>
> more info: <http://wiki.nxtcrypto.org/wiki/RS_Address_Format>

credit: <https://nxtforum.org/nxt-helpdesk/why-two-different-account-numbers/>


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### Answer by username_1 on 2014-07-01. Score: 2

Starting in software version 1.1.3, the numeric account format has been changed to [Reed-Solomon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed%E2%80%93Solomon_error_correction) format by default (the account address starting with NXT- ) which provides higher security against typing mistakes. You still can use both address formats, but the new format is recommended.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-07-08. Score: 1

The new Reed-Solomon account number for Nxt Cryptocurrency will always start with NXT and is much easier to say. I imagine them on a piece of plastic like a credit card...

Accounts can also be represented by an alias which can be used to receive transactions.


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