Skip to main content
Bitcoin Core provides several RPC commands for creating and sending transactions. This guide covers the most common workflows for both single-signature and watch-only wallets.

​
Basic Transaction Creation

The simplest way to send bitcoin is using the send RPC command: 
bitcoin-cli send '{"address": 0.01}'
This command automatically:
  • Selects appropriate UTXOs
  • Calculates the transaction fee
  • Creates a change output
  • Signs and broadcasts the transaction

​
Manual Transaction Workflow

For more control over transaction creation, use the lower-level RPCs:
1

Create a raw transaction

Use createrawtransaction to specify inputs and outputs manually:
bitcoin-cli createrawtransaction \
  '[{"txid":"txid_here","vout":0}]' \
  '{"receiving_address":0.01}'
2

Fund the transaction

Use fundrawtransaction to add inputs and change output:
bitcoin-cli fundrawtransaction "raw_transaction_hex"
This returns a funded transaction hex and fee information.
3

Sign the transaction

Use signrawtransactionwithwallet to add signatures:
bitcoin-cli signrawtransactionwithwallet "funded_transaction_hex"
4

Broadcast the transaction

Use sendrawtransaction to broadcast to the network:
bitcoin-cli sendrawtransaction "signed_transaction_hex"
Returns the transaction ID (txid) if successful.

​
Creating Funded Transactions

The walletcreatefundedpsbt RPC combines creation and funding in one step: 
bitcoin-cli walletcreatefundedpsbt \
  '[]' \
  '{"destination_address": 0.01}'
Leaving the inputs array empty allows Bitcoin Core to automatically select UTXOs.
Always verify transaction details before broadcasting. Check:
  • Recipient addresses are correct
  • Amounts are as intended
  • Fee is reasonable
  • Change address belongs to your wallet

​
Transaction Fee Estimation

Estimate appropriate fees using estimatesmartfee: 
bitcoin-cli estimatesmartfee 6
This estimates the fee rate for confirmation within 6 blocks.

​
Listing Unspent Outputs

View available UTXOs with listunspent: 
bitcoin-cli listunspent
Filter by minimum confirmations: 
bitcoin-cli listunspent 1 9999999 '["specific_address"]'

​
Watch-Only Wallets

Watch-only wallets can create unsigned transactions but cannot sign them: 
bitcoin-cli -rpcwallet="watch_only" send \
  '{"destination": 0.01}'
This returns a PSBT that must be signed by a wallet with the private keys.
Never share your private keys or wallet.dat file. For enhanced security, consider using offline signing or hardware wallets for large amounts.

​
Transaction Replacement (RBF)

To enable Replace-By-Fee on a transaction, use the replaceable option: 
bitcoin-cli -named send \
  outputs='{"address":0.01}' \
  options='{"replaceable":true}'
Replace an existing transaction with bumpfee: 
bitcoin-cli bumpfee "original_txid"

​
Verifying Transactions

Check transaction status with gettransaction: 
bitcoin-cli gettransaction "txid"
View mempool information: 
bitcoin-cli getmempoolentry "txid"

​
Common Options

Most transaction RPCs support these options:
  • conf_target - Number of blocks for fee estimation
  • estimate_mode - Fee estimation mode (ECONOMICAL, CONSERVATIVE)
  • replaceable - Enable RBF (Replace-By-Fee)
  • subtractfeefromamount - Deduct fee from output amount

​
Next Steps

PSBT

Learn about Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions

Multi-signature

Create multi-signature wallets and transactions