Token decimals explained: why 9 is the Solana standard
Decimals confuse every first-time creator. What they mean mathematically and what value to choose.
The math
Decimals define how a whole token divides into fractional units. 9 decimals means 1 token = 1,000,000,000 base units — matching SOL itself and most DeFi tooling.
Practical guidance
Stick with 9 unless your supply is enormous (then 6 keeps numbers readable). Decimals are set at mint and can't change, so this decision is permanent.
Supply limit
Solana caps base units at u64. With 9 decimals that means roughly 18 billion tokens maximum — CoinPlex validates your supply against this automatically.
FAQ
Can I change decimals after creation?
No. They are part of the mint definition forever.
Do fewer decimals increase value?
No — price is market-driven. Decimals only affect display precision.
Create your own Solana token — no coding, full supply to your wallet.
See packages