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everything-claude-code/skills/evm-token-decimals/SKILL.md
2026-04-05 16:12:42 -07:00

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---
name: evm-token-decimals
description: Prevent silent decimal mismatch bugs across EVM chains. Covers runtime decimal lookup, chain-aware caching, bridged-token precision drift, and safe normalization for bots, dashboards, and DeFi tools.
origin: ECC direct-port adaptation
version: "1.0.0"
---
# EVM Token Decimals
Silent decimal mismatches are one of the easiest ways to ship balances or USD values that are off by orders of magnitude without throwing an error.
## When to Use
- Reading ERC-20 balances in Python, TypeScript, or Solidity
- Calculating fiat values from on-chain balances
- Comparing token amounts across multiple EVM chains
- Handling bridged assets
- Building portfolio trackers, bots, or aggregators
## How It Works
Never assume stablecoins use the same decimals everywhere. Query `decimals()` at runtime, cache by `(chain_id, token_address)`, and use decimal-safe math for value calculations.
## Examples
### Query decimals at runtime
```python
from decimal import Decimal
from web3 import Web3
ERC20_ABI = [
{"name": "decimals", "type": "function", "inputs": [],
"outputs": [{"type": "uint8"}], "stateMutability": "view"},
{"name": "balanceOf", "type": "function",
"inputs": [{"name": "account", "type": "address"}],
"outputs": [{"type": "uint256"}], "stateMutability": "view"},
]
def get_token_balance(w3: Web3, token_address: str, wallet: str) -> Decimal:
contract = w3.eth.contract(
address=Web3.to_checksum_address(token_address),
abi=ERC20_ABI,
)
decimals = contract.functions.decimals().call()
raw = contract.functions.balanceOf(Web3.to_checksum_address(wallet)).call()
return Decimal(raw) / Decimal(10 ** decimals)
```
Do not hardcode `1_000_000` because a symbol usually has 6 decimals somewhere else.
### Cache by chain and token
```python
from functools import lru_cache
@lru_cache(maxsize=512)
def get_decimals(chain_id: int, token_address: str) -> int:
w3 = get_web3_for_chain(chain_id)
contract = w3.eth.contract(
address=Web3.to_checksum_address(token_address),
abi=ERC20_ABI,
)
return contract.functions.decimals().call()
```
### Handle odd tokens defensively
```python
try:
decimals = contract.functions.decimals().call()
except Exception:
logging.warning(
"decimals() reverted on %s (chain %s), defaulting to 18",
token_address,
chain_id,
)
decimals = 18
```
Log the fallback and keep it visible. Old or non-standard tokens still exist.
### Normalize to 18-decimal WAD in Solidity
```solidity
interface IERC20Metadata {
function decimals() external view returns (uint8);
}
function normalizeToWad(address token, uint256 amount) internal view returns (uint256) {
uint8 d = IERC20Metadata(token).decimals();
if (d == 18) return amount;
if (d < 18) return amount * 10 ** (18 - d);
return amount / 10 ** (d - 18);
}
```
### TypeScript with ethers
```typescript
import { Contract, formatUnits } from 'ethers';
const ERC20_ABI = [
'function decimals() view returns (uint8)',
'function balanceOf(address) view returns (uint256)',
];
async function getBalance(provider: any, tokenAddress: string, wallet: string): Promise<string> {
const token = new Contract(tokenAddress, ERC20_ABI, provider);
const [decimals, raw] = await Promise.all([
token.decimals(),
token.balanceOf(wallet),
]);
return formatUnits(raw, decimals);
}
```
### Quick on-chain check
```bash
cast call <token_address> "decimals()(uint8)" --rpc-url <rpc>
```
## Rules
- Always query `decimals()` at runtime
- Cache by chain plus token address, not symbol
- Use `Decimal`, `BigInt`, or equivalent exact math, not float
- Re-query decimals after bridging or wrapper changes
- Normalize internal accounting consistently before comparison or pricing