> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.getblock.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.getblock.io/api-reference/polkadot-dot/polkadot-json-rpc-api-relaychain/system_properties-polkadot.md).

# system\_properties - Polkadot

Example code for the system\_properties JSON RPC method. Complete guide on how to use system\_properties JSON RPC in GetBlock Web3 documentation.

This method returns chain-specific properties, including the token symbol, token decimals, and SS58 address format.

## Parameters

This method does not accept any parameters.

## Request

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="cURL" %}
{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
curl --location --request POST 'https://shared.eu-central-1.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{"jsonrpc": "2.0", "method": "system_properties", "params": [], "id": "getblock.io"}'
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="JavaScript" %}
{% code title="example.js" %}

```javascript
const response = await fetch('https://shared.eu-central-1.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify({
        jsonrpc: '2.0',
        method: 'system_properties',
        params: [],
        id: 'getblock.io'
    })
});

const data = await response.json();
console.log(data.result);
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Python" %}
{% code title="example.py" %}

```python
import requests

response = requests.post(
    'https://shared.eu-central-1.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/',
    headers={'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
    json={
        'jsonrpc': '2.0',
        'method': 'system_properties',
        'params': [],
        'id': 'getblock.io'
    }
)

print(response.json()['result'])
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Response

```json
{
    "id": "getblock.io",
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "result": {
        "ss58Format": 0,
        "tokenDecimals": 10,
        "tokenSymbol": "DOT"
    }
}
```

## Response Parameters

| Parameter | Type   | Description                             |
| --------- | ------ | --------------------------------------- |
| id        | string | Request identifier matching the request |
| jsonrpc   | string | JSON-RPC protocol version ("2.0")       |
| result    | object | Chain properties object                 |

### Result Object

| Field         | Type    | Description                                                           |
| ------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ss58Format    | integer | SS58 address format prefix (0 for Polkadot)                           |
| tokenDecimals | integer | Decimal places of the native token (10 for DOT; 1 DOT = 10^10 Planck) |
| tokenSymbol   | string  | Native token symbol (DOT)                                             |

## Use Cases

* **Address Formatting**: Encode addresses with the correct SS58 prefix
* **Balance Display**: Format DOT amounts using tokenDecimals
* **Wallet Configuration**: Configure a wallet from chain properties
* **Multi-Chain UIs**: Adapt token symbol and decimals per chain

## Error Handling

| Error Code | Message          | Description                                            |
| ---------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| -32602     | Invalid params   | A parameter is missing or has the wrong type or format |
| -32601     | Method not found | The method is not available on this endpoint           |
| -32603     | Internal error   | The node failed to process the request                 |

## Library Integration

The idiomatic way to call Polkadot RPC is the Polkadot.js API (`@polkadot/api`), which connects over WebSocket and exposes the method as `api.rpc.system.properties`.

{% code title="polkadot-js.js" %}

```javascript
import { ApiPromise, WsProvider } from '@polkadot/api';

const provider = new WsProvider('wss://shared.eu-central-1.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/');
const api = await ApiPromise.create({ provider });

const result = await api.rpc.system.properties();
console.log(result.toHuman());
```

{% endcode %}