What Is a Token Account
A token account stores tokens for one mint and one token account owner on Solana.
/// Account data.#[repr(C)]#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, PartialEq)]pub struct Account {/// The mint associated with this accountpub mint: Pubkey,/// The owner of this account.pub owner: Pubkey,/// The amount of tokens this account holds.pub amount: u64,/// If `delegate` is `Some` then `delegated_amount` represents/// the amount authorized by the delegatepub delegate: COption<Pubkey>,/// The account's statepub state: AccountState,/// If `is_native.is_some`, this is a native token, and the value logs the/// rent-exempt reserve. An Account is required to be rent-exempt, so/// the value is used by the Processor to ensure that wrapped SOL/// accounts do not drop below this threshold.pub is_native: COption<u64>,/// The amount delegatedpub delegated_amount: u64,/// Optional authority to close the account.pub close_authority: COption<Pubkey>,}
Here, owner means the authority that can transfer, burn, or delegate
tokens from the token account. The account's program owner is still the Token
Program or Token Extension Program.
Each token account is tied to exactly one mint, which means the token account
can hold units of only one token, the token identified by the token account's
mint field.
What Is an Associated Token Account
An associated token account (ATA) is the default token account for a wallet and mint. The Associated Token Program derives the ATA address from the wallet address, token program address, and mint address.
Only token accounts created by the Associated Token Program are called associated token accounts.
The Associated Token Program is a way to create a token account at a standard, deterministic address. The resulting account is still a token account owned by the Token Program or Token Extension Program, not by the Associated Token Program.
The Associated Token Program derives the ATA address as shown in address.rs:
pub fn get_associated_token_address_and_bump_seed_internal(wallet_address: &Pubkey,token_mint_address: &Pubkey,program_id: &Pubkey,token_program_id: &Pubkey,) -> (Pubkey, u8) {Pubkey::find_program_address(&[&wallet_address.to_bytes(), // Owner's public key&token_program_id.to_bytes(), // Token Program or Token Extension Program&token_mint_address.to_bytes(), // Token mint address],program_id, // Associated Token Program ID)}
For any wallet, token program, and mint combination, there is exactly one ATA
address. The Associated Token Program creates a standard token account at that
address, and the resulting account still uses the Account type defined by
the Token Program or Token Extension Program.
How to Create an Associated Token Account
Creating an associated token account uses the Associated Token Program's
Create or CreateIdempotent instruction. The Associated Token Program
derives the ATA address, creates the account at the ATA address, and initializes
the account as a token account owned by the Token Program or Token Extension
Program.
Recommended
For most applications, create token accounts through the Associated Token Program instead of creating them by directly calling the System Program and Token Program instructions. An associated token account uses a deterministic address derived from the owner, token program, and mint, which makes the default token account for a given mint easier for wallets and applications to find.
Source Reference
| Item | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
Create | Creates an associated token account at the derived ATA address. | Source |
CreateIdempotent | Creates the associated token account, but still succeeds if that ATA already exists for the same owner and mint. | Source |
process_create_associated_token_account | Derives the ATA address and uses create_pda_account plus CPIs to the selected token program to initialize the token account. When the selected program is the Token Extension Program, the ATA processor also initializes the immutable owner extension. | Source |
create_pda_account | Helper used by process_create_associated_token_account to create the PDA account by CPI into the System Program. | Source |
Typescript
The Kit examples below show the recommended approach using @solana/kit.
Legacy examples using @solana/web3.js are included for reference.
Kit
import { generateKeyPairSigner } from "@solana/kit";import { createLocalClient } from "@solana/kit-client-rpc";import {associatedTokenProgram,findAssociatedTokenPda,tokenProgram,TOKEN_PROGRAM_ADDRESS} from "@solana-program/token";const client = await createLocalClient().use(tokenProgram()).use(associatedTokenProgram());const result = await client.associatedToken.instructions.createAssociatedToken({payer: client.payer, // Account funding account creation.mint: mint.address, // Mint for the token this account holds.owner: client.payer.address // Account that owns the token account.}).sendTransaction();const [associatedTokenAddress] = await findAssociatedTokenPda({mint: mint.address,owner: client.payer.address,tokenProgram: TOKEN_PROGRAM_ADDRESS});const tokenAccountData = await client.token.accounts.token.fetch(associatedTokenAddress);console.log("Mint Address:", mint.address);console.log("\nAssociated Token Account Address:", associatedTokenAddress);console.log("Associated Token Account:", tokenAccountData.data);console.log("\nTransaction Signature:", result.context.signature);
Web3.js
import { Connection, Keypair, LAMPORTS_PER_SOL } from "@solana/web3.js";import {createAssociatedTokenAccount,createMint,getAccount,TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID} from "@solana/spl-token";const associatedTokenAccount = await createAssociatedTokenAccount(connection, // Connection to the local validator.feePayer, // Account funding account creation.mintPubkey, // Mint for the token this account holds.feePayer.publicKey, // Account that owns the token account.{commitment: "confirmed" // Confirmation options for the transaction.},TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID // Token program to invoke.);const tokenAccountData = await getAccount(connection,associatedTokenAccount,"confirmed",TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID);console.log("Mint Address:", mintPubkey.toBase58());console.log("\nAssociated Token Account Address:",associatedTokenAccount.toBase58());console.log("Associated Token Account:", tokenAccountData);
Rust
use anyhow::Result;use solana_client::nonblocking::rpc_client::RpcClient;use solana_commitment_config::CommitmentConfig;use solana_sdk::{program_pack::Pack,signature::{Keypair, Signer},transaction::Transaction,};use solana_system_interface::instruction::create_account;use spl_associated_token_account_interface::{address::get_associated_token_address, instruction::create_associated_token_account,};use spl_token_interface::{id as token_program_id,instruction::initialize_mint,state::{Account, Mint},};#[tokio::main]async fn main() -> Result<()> {let client = RpcClient::new_with_commitment(String::from("http://localhost:8899"),CommitmentConfig::confirmed(),);let transaction = Transaction::new_signed_with_payer(&[create_associated_token_account(&fee_payer.pubkey(), // Account funding account creation.&fee_payer.pubkey(), // Account that owns the token account.&mint.pubkey(), // Mint for the token this account holds.&token_program_id(), // Token program that owns the account.),],Some(&fee_payer.pubkey()),&[&fee_payer],latest_blockhash,);let transaction_signature = client.send_and_confirm_transaction(&transaction).await?;let associated_token_account = get_associated_token_address(&fee_payer.pubkey(), &mint.pubkey());let token_account = client.get_account(&associated_token_account).await?;let token_data = Account::unpack(&token_account.data)?;println!("Mint Address: {}", mint.pubkey());println!("\nAssociated Token Account Address: {}",associated_token_account);println!("Associated Token Account: {:#?}", token_data);println!("\nTransaction Signature: {}", transaction_signature);Ok(())}
Python
#!/usr/bin/env python3import asyncioimport jsonfrom solana.rpc.async_api import AsyncClientfrom solders.keypair import Keypairfrom solders.message import Messagefrom solders.pubkey import Pubkeyfrom solders.system_program import create_account, CreateAccountParamsfrom solders.transaction import Transactionfrom spl.token.async_client import AsyncTokenfrom spl.token.instructions import (create_associated_token_account,get_associated_token_address,initialize_mint,InitializeMintParams,)from spl.token.constants import MINT_LEN, TOKEN_PROGRAM_IDasync def main():rpc = AsyncClient("http://localhost:8899")fee_payer = Keypair()owner = Keypair()async with rpc:create_associated_token_account_instruction = create_associated_token_account(payer=fee_payer.pubkey(), # Account funding account creation.owner=owner.pubkey(), # Account that owns the token account.mint=mint.pubkey(), # Mint for the token this account holds.token_program_id=TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID, # Token program that owns the new token account.)latest_blockhash = await rpc.get_latest_blockhash()transaction = Transaction([fee_payer],Message([create_associated_token_account_instruction], fee_payer.pubkey()),latest_blockhash.value.blockhash,)result = await rpc.send_transaction(transaction)token_account_info = await token.get_account_info(associated_token_account)token_account = {key: str(value) if isinstance(value, Pubkey) else valuefor key, value in token_account_info._asdict().items()}print("Mint Address:", mint.pubkey())print("\nToken Account Address:", associated_token_account)print("Token Account:")print(json.dumps(token_account, indent=2))print("\nTransaction Signature:", result.value)if __name__ == "__main__":asyncio.run(main())
How to Create a Token Account
Creating a token account requires two instructions:
- The System Program's
CreateAccountinstruction creates a new rent-exempt account and assigns the Token Program as the program owner of the new account. - The Token Program's
InitializeAccount,InitializeAccount2, orInitializeAccount3instruction initializes the new account for a mint and owner.
Include the CreateAccount instruction and the token account initialization
instruction in the same transaction.
During token account initialization, the Token Program checks that the account is not already initialized and is rent-exempt.
The section below shows how to create a token account by directly calling the System Program and Token Program instructions. For most applications, use the Associated Token Program instead. Use direct System Program and Token Program calls when you have a specific reason not to use an associated token account or when you need to create custom PDA token accounts by making CPIs to the System Program and Token Program instructions from your own Solana program.
Source Reference
| Item | Description | Token Program | Token Extension Program |
|---|---|---|---|
Account | The base token account fields stored in every token account. | Source | Source |
InitializeAccount | A token account initialization instruction that expects the owner and rent sysvar account in its accounts list. | Source | Source |
InitializeAccount2 | A token account initialization instruction that passes the owner in instruction data instead of the accounts list. | Source | Source |
InitializeAccount3 | A token account initialization instruction that passes the owner in instruction data and does not require the rent sysvar account. | Source | Source |
_process_initialize_account | Shared processor logic for token account initialization. | Source | Source |
process_initialize_account | Public handler for InitializeAccount. | Source | Source |
process_initialize_account2 | Public handler for InitializeAccount2. | Source | Source |
process_initialize_account3 | Public handler for InitializeAccount3. | Source | Source |
Typescript
The Kit examples below show the recommended approach using @solana/kit.
Legacy examples using @solana/web3.js are included for reference.
Kit
import { generateKeyPairSigner } from "@solana/kit";import { createLocalClient } from "@solana/kit-client-rpc";import { systemProgram } from "@solana-program/system";import {getTokenSize,tokenProgram,TOKEN_PROGRAM_ADDRESS} from "@solana-program/token";const client = await createLocalClient().use(systemProgram()).use(tokenProgram());const result = await client.sendTransaction([client.system.instructions.createAccount({newAccount: tokenAccount, // New token account to create.lamports: rent, // Lamports funding the new account rent.space, // Account size in bytes.programAddress: TOKEN_PROGRAM_ADDRESS // Program that owns the new account.}),client.token.instructions.initializeAccount({account: tokenAccount.address, // Token account to initialize.mint: mint.address, // Mint for the token this account holds.owner: client.payer.address // Account that owns the token account.})]);const tokenAccountData = await client.token.accounts.token.fetch(tokenAccount.address);console.log("Mint Address:", mint.address);console.log("\nToken Account Address:", tokenAccount.address);console.log("Token Account:", tokenAccountData.data);console.log("\nTransaction Signature:", result.context.signature);
Web3.js
import { Connection, Keypair, LAMPORTS_PER_SOL } from "@solana/web3.js";import {createAccount,createMint,getAccount,TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID} from "@solana/spl-token";const tokenAccount = await createAccount(connection, // Connection to the local validator.feePayer, // Account paying transaction fees.mintPubkey, // Mint for the token this account holds.feePayer.publicKey, // Account that owns the token account.Keypair.generate(), // New token account to create.{commitment: "confirmed" // Confirmation options for the transaction.},TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID // Token program to invoke.);const tokenAccountData = await getAccount(connection,tokenAccount,"confirmed",TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID);console.log("Mint Address:", mintPubkey.toBase58());console.log("\nToken Account Address:", tokenAccount.toBase58());console.log("Token Account:", tokenAccountData);
Rust
use anyhow::Result;use solana_client::nonblocking::rpc_client::RpcClient;use solana_commitment_config::CommitmentConfig;use solana_sdk::{program_pack::Pack,signature::{Keypair, Signer},transaction::Transaction,};use solana_system_interface::instruction::create_account;use spl_token_interface::{id as token_program_id,instruction::{initialize_account, initialize_mint},state::{Account, Mint},};#[tokio::main]async fn main() -> Result<()> {let client = RpcClient::new_with_commitment(String::from("http://localhost:8899"),CommitmentConfig::confirmed(),);let token_account = Keypair::new();let token_account_rent = client.get_minimum_balance_for_rent_exemption(Account::LEN).await?;let transaction = Transaction::new_signed_with_payer(&[create_account(&fee_payer.pubkey(), // Account funding account creation.&token_account.pubkey(), // New token account to create.token_account_rent, // Lamports funding the new account rent.Account::LEN as u64, // Account size in bytes.&token_program_id(), // Program that owns the new account.),initialize_account(&token_program_id(),&token_account.pubkey(), // Token account to initialize.&mint.pubkey(), // Mint for the token this account holds.&fee_payer.pubkey(), // Account that owns the token account.)?,],Some(&fee_payer.pubkey()),&[&fee_payer, &token_account],latest_blockhash,);let transaction_signature = client.send_and_confirm_transaction(&transaction).await?;let token_account_data = client.get_account(&token_account.pubkey()).await?;let token_data = Account::unpack(&token_account_data.data)?;println!("Mint Address: {}", mint.pubkey());println!("\nToken Account Address: {}", token_account.pubkey());println!("Token Account: {:#?}", token_data);println!("\nTransaction Signature: {}", transaction_signature);Ok(())}
Python
#!/usr/bin/env python3import asyncioimport jsonfrom solana.rpc.async_api import AsyncClientfrom solders.keypair import Keypairfrom solders.message import Messagefrom solders.pubkey import Pubkeyfrom solders.system_program import create_account, CreateAccountParamsfrom solders.transaction import Transactionfrom spl.token.async_client import AsyncTokenfrom spl.token.instructions import (initialize_account,InitializeAccountParams,initialize_mint,InitializeMintParams,)from spl.token.constants import ACCOUNT_LEN, MINT_LEN, TOKEN_PROGRAM_IDasync def main():rpc = AsyncClient("http://localhost:8899")async with rpc:token_account = Keypair()token_account_rent = (await rpc.get_minimum_balance_for_rent_exemption(ACCOUNT_LEN)).valuecreate_token_account_instructions = [create_account(CreateAccountParams(from_pubkey=fee_payer.pubkey(), # Account funding account creation.to_pubkey=token_account.pubkey(), # New token account to create.lamports=token_account_rent, # Lamports funding the new account rent.space=ACCOUNT_LEN, # Account size in bytes.owner=TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID, # Program that owns the new token account.)),initialize_account(InitializeAccountParams(program_id=TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID, # Token program to invoke.account=token_account.pubkey(), # Token account to initialize.mint=mint.pubkey(), # Mint for the token this account holds.owner=fee_payer.pubkey(), # Account that owns the token account.)),]latest_blockhash = await rpc.get_latest_blockhash()transaction = Transaction([fee_payer, token_account],Message(create_token_account_instructions, fee_payer.pubkey()),latest_blockhash.value.blockhash,)result = await rpc.send_transaction(transaction)token_account_info = await token.get_account_info(token_account.pubkey())token_account_data = {key: str(value) if isinstance(value, Pubkey) else valuefor key, value in token_account_info._asdict().items()}print("Mint Address:", mint.pubkey())print("\nToken Account Address:", token_account.pubkey())print("Token Account:")print(json.dumps(token_account_data, indent=2))print("\nTransaction Signature:", result.value)if __name__ == "__main__":asyncio.run(main())
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