---
bip: 385
title: "raw() and addr() Output Script Descriptors"
status: Deployed
type: Specification
layer: "Applications"
authors: ["Pieter Wuille","Ava Chow"]
assigned: 2021-06-27
last_modified: 2026-09-17
requires: [380]
topics: ["wallets"]
license: "BSD-2-Clause"
url: https://bipexplorer.com/bip/385
source: https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/master/bip-0385.mediawiki
---

# BIP 385: raw() and addr() Output Script Descriptors

> **In plain English:** Defines two simple descriptor functions: one that wraps an arbitrary raw script and one that wraps a plain address. They let wallets track coins in formats not otherwise covered, or watch an address without knowing the keys behind it.

## Abstract

This document specifies `raw()` and `addr()` output script descriptors. `raw()` encapsulates a raw script as a descriptor. `addr()` encapsulates an address as a descriptor.

## Copyright

This BIP is licensed under the BSD 2-clause license.

## Motivation

In order to make descriptors maximally compatible with scripts in use today, it is useful to be able to wrap any arbitrary output script or an address into a descriptor.

## Specification

Two new script expressions are defined: `raw()` and `addr()`.

### `raw()`

The `raw(HEX)` expression can only be used as a top level descriptor. As the argument, it takes a hex string representing a Bitcoin script. The output script produced by this descriptor is the script represented by `HEX`.

### `addr()`

The `addr(ADDR)` expression can only be used as a top level descriptor. It takes an address as its single argument. The output script produced by this descriptor is the output script produced by the address `ADDR`.

## Test Vectors

Valid descriptors followed by the scripts they produce.

-   `raw(deadbeef)`
    -   `deadbeef`
-   `raw(512103a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd4104a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd5b8dec5235a0fa8722476c7709c02559e3aa73aa03918ba2d492eea75abea23552ae)`
    -   `512103a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd4104a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd5b8dec5235a0fa8722476c7709c02559e3aa73aa03918ba2d492eea75abea23552ae`
-   `raw(a9149a4d9901d6af519b2a23d4a2f51650fcba87ce7b87)`
    -   `a9149a4d9901d6af519b2a23d4a2f51650fcba87ce7b87`
-   `addr(3PUNyaW7M55oKWJ3kDukwk9bsKvryra15j)`
    -   `a914eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee87`

Invalid descriptors

-   Non-hex script: `raw(asdf)`

-   Invalid address: `addr(asdf)`

-   `raw` nested in `sh`: `sh(raw(deadbeef))`

-   `raw` nested in `wsh`: `wsh(raw(deadbeef))`

-   `addr` nested in `sh`: `sh(addr(3PUNyaW7M55oKWJ3kDukwk9bsKvryra15j))`

-   `addr` nested in `wsh`: `wsh(addr(3PUNyaW7M55oKWJ3kDukwk9bsKvryra15j))`

## Backwards Compatibility

`raw()` and `addr()` descriptors use the format and general operation specified in [380](https://bipexplorer.com/bip/380). As this is a wholly new descriptor, it is not compatible with any implementation. The reuse of existing Bitcoin addresses allows for this to be more easily implemented.

## Reference Implementation

`raw()` and `addr()` descriptors have been implemented in Bitcoin Core since version 0.17.