Too few backups and you risk loss. Too many and you risk theft. This guide helps you find the balance. It is part of our seed phrase backup guide.
The two risks pull in opposite directions
| Copies | Loss risk | Theft risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | High | Low |
| 2 | Lower | Moderate |
| 3 | Low | Higher |
| 5 or more | Very low | High |
Each new copy is one more place where somebody could find your words. A plain phrase gives whoever finds it full control.
Think in events
Ask what could destroy or expose copies at the same time:
- A house fire or a flood.
- A burglary.
- A move or a clear-out.
- A family dispute.
- Your own forgetfulness.
If one event can reach all your copies, you have effectively got one backup. So location matters more than the number.
Simple setups
Starter: small amounts
One carefully written copy, stored at home in a dry, hidden place.
Standard: meaningful amounts
Two copies: one at home and one in another secure place. See where to store a seed phrase. A metal backup for at least one of them is worthwhile.
Careful: a large share of your wealth
Consider a design that does not rely on a single readable phrase, such as a passphrase, a multisig wallet or a Shamir backup. These allow copies to be stored in several places, without any single location being enough for a thief.
How not to do it
- Do not split the words in half to make it "safer". See why splitting is a bad idea.
- Do not make extra copies for convenience.
- Do not leave a copy with someone who does not know what it is, unless it is sealed.
- Do not forget where your copies are. Keep a private note of locations, without any secrets.
Keep your backups alive
Backups fade, get lost and go out of date. Check them once a year, as described in our yearly backup health check. And make sure that they actually work.