Skip to main content

​
ERC-1155

ERC-1155 is a multi-token standard that allows a single smart contract to manage both fungible (like currencies) and non-fungible (like unique items) tokens simultaneously. This standard is highly gas-efficient because it allows for batch transfers of multiple tokens in a single transaction. It is widely used in gaming and complex dApps where a user might need to hold thousands of different items, such as weapons, health potions, and currency, all within one inventory system governed by a single contract.

​
Definition

ERC-1155 is a multi-token standard that allows a single smart contract to manage both fungible (like currencies) and non-fungible (like unique items) tokens simultaneously. This standard is highly gas-efficient because it allows for batch transfers of multiple tokens in a single transaction. It is widely used in gaming and complex dApps where a user might need to hold thousands of different items, such as weapons, health potions, and currency, all within one inventory system governed by a single contract.

​
Simple explanation

Think of ERC-1155 as a ‘super-standard.’ Instead of needing separate buckets for your money and your rare items, this allows you to put everything in one backpack. It saves space and makes moving many items at once much faster.

​
Why it matters

It significantly improves efficiency for complex applications like blockchain games, reducing transaction costs and simplifying the management of diverse digital inventories.

​
How it works

The standard uses a single contract to handle multiple token types, differentiated by unique IDs. It includes batch-transfer functionality, allowing users to send many different tokens in one call to the blockchain. This reduces the overhead compared to standard ERC-20 or ERC-721 contracts which require individual calls per transaction.

​
Real-world example

Many play-to-earn games like Gods Unchained or virtual metaverses use ERC-1155 to handle inventory items.

​
Advantages

  • Batched transaction efficiency
  • Supports multiple token types
  • Reduces overall gas fees

​
Limitations

  • Greater development complexity
  • Marketplace support varies

​
Common misconceptions

  • Users think it makes ERC-721 obsolete, but both serve different purposes.
  • Some believe it is only for games, but it works for any multi-asset application.
Canonical knowledge ID: glossary:erc-1155