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What is an EIP?
An EIP (Ethereum Improvement Proposal) is a public design document that proposes a new feature, rule or standard for Ethereum. Each one has a number, authors and a status, and changes to the core protocol take effect only when client software implements them in a network upgrade.
What it means for you
When a wallet or app says it follows 'EIP-something', you can read that exact document at eips.ethereum.org and check its status. A Draft or Review EIP can still change; only a Final one is fixed. An EIP number on its own does not mean a feature is live on the network.
How it works
EIP-1 defines three types. Standards Track EIPs change how Ethereum implementations behave and come in four categories: Core (consensus rules, which need a network upgrade), Networking, Interface, and ERC (application-level standards such as token interfaces). Meta EIPs change processes; Informational EIPs offer guidelines that implementers may ignore. A proposal moves from Idea to Draft, Review, Last Call and Final, or ends as Stagnant or Withdrawn. Editors check format and assign numbers but do not judge merit; Core EIPs reach Final only once clients implement them.
Sources: EIP-1: EIP Purpose and Guidelines, ethereum.org: Ethereum development standards · checked 4 October 2026
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