# Solana derivation paths: why the same 12 words show different wallets

> A recovery phrase makes wallets along a path, and wallet apps do not all use the same one. Phantom uses m/44'/501'/0'/0', Trust Wallet m/44'/501'/0', the Solana command line m/44'/501'. Same words, different path, different wallet.

Page: https://ravenwallet.pro/blog/solana-derivation-paths
Updated: 2026-10-27

## What a derivation path is

Your 12 or 24 words become a seed. A derivation path tells the app which wallet to make from that seed. On Solana, paths start with 44' (the standard) and 501' (Solana's number), then one or two more numbers that pick the account.

Every number is "hardened" on Solana (the ' mark), because Solana's keys (Ed25519) only support hardened steps.

## Which app uses which path

| App | Path for the first account | Next accounts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Phantom, OKX, MetaMask (Solana) | `m/44'/501'/0'/0'` | `m/44'/501'/1'/0'`, `2'/0'` ... |
| Solflare | `m/44'/501'/0'/0'` by default; offers others when you import | |
| Trust Wallet | `m/44'/501'/0'` | |
| Solana command line | `m/44'/501'` unless you add `?key=` | `key=0/0` gives Phantom's first account |

_From Exodus's path table, Anza's command line docs and each wallet's import screens, October 2026._

## Why your wallet looks empty after an import

If you import your phrase into a new app and see an empty wallet, the coins have not gone anywhere. The new app is showing a different wallet from the same words. Fixes, in order:

1. **Look for a path choice** in the import screen. Solflare and some others let you pick or scan several paths.
2. **Add more accounts.** Your coins may be in account 2 or 3, not account 1.
3. **Check where the wallet came from.** Wallets made with the command line use the shortest path, and hardware wallets can use their own.
4. **Import the private key instead.** If you can still open the old app, export that account's key and import it directly: a key has no path.

## How Raven does it

Raven makes and reads wallets on Phantom's path, m/44'/501'/n'/0'. When you import a phrase, a picker lists the accounts along that path with what each one holds, so you can see your money before you add anything. Wallets on other paths come in as private keys.

## Questions

### Why does Phantom show different wallets than Trust Wallet for the same phrase?

They use different paths: Phantom m/44'/501'/n'/0', Trust Wallet m/44'/501'/n'. Each one is a valid wallet; your coins are in whichever one you used.

### Is my money lost if the new app shows zero?

No. The money is on chain at the address you used before. Find the path, or import the key.

### What path should I use for new wallets?

Phantom's, m/44'/501'/n'/0'. Most Solana apps read it, so your wallets stay portable.

## Sources

- [Exodus: derivation paths in Exodus](https://www.exodus.com/support/article/1795-derivation-paths-in-exodus)
- [Anza docs: Paper wallets and derivation paths](https://docs.anza.xyz/cli/wallets/paper)
- [SLIP-0010: key derivation for Ed25519](https://github.com/satoshilabs/slips/blob/master/slip-0010.md)
- [Solflare help: Connect a funded Ledger](https://help.solflare.com/en/articles/5797217-how-to-connect-your-funded-ledger-device-to-solflare-desktop)