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The AddressConverter library provides utility functions for converting between Ethereum address (20 bytes) and bytes32 (32 bytes) types. This is commonly needed when working with cross-chain messaging protocols that use bytes32 for addresses.

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Overview

Ethereum addresses are 20 bytes, while many cross-chain protocols use bytes32 for standardized addressing across different chains. This library handles the conversion between these formats safely and efficiently.

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Functions

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toBytes32

Converts an Ethereum address to bytes32 format. 
function toBytes32(address addr) internal pure returns (bytes32)
Parameters:
  • addr: The Ethereum address to convert (20 bytes)
Returns: The bytes32 representation of the address (32 bytes, zero-padded) Implementation: The function converts the address by:
  1. Casting to uint160 (20 bytes)
  2. Casting to uint256 (32 bytes, zero-padded on left)
  3. Casting to bytes32
Example: 
import "./libs/AddressConverter.sol";

contract Example {
    using AddressConverter for address;
    
    function convertAddress(address user) public pure returns (bytes32) {
        // Convert address to bytes32
        bytes32 userBytes = AddressConverter.toBytes32(user);
        return userBytes;
    }
    
    // Or using library syntax
    function convertAddressAlt(address user) public pure returns (bytes32) {
        return user.toBytes32();
    }
}

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toAddress

Converts bytes32 back to an Ethereum address. 
function toAddress(bytes32 b) internal pure returns (address)
Parameters:
  • b: The bytes32 value to convert (32 bytes)
Returns: The Ethereum address extracted from the bytes32 value Reverts:
  • InvalidAddress(bytes32): If the bytes32 value cannot be safely converted to an address (top 12 bytes are not zero)
Implementation: The function:
  1. Validates that the bytes32 can be safely converted using isValidAddress()
  2. Converts by casting to uint256, then uint160, then address
Example: 
import "./libs/AddressConverter.sol";

contract Example {
    using AddressConverter for bytes32;
    
    function convertBytes(bytes32 addressBytes) public pure returns (address) {
        // Convert bytes32 to address (reverts if invalid)
        address user = AddressConverter.toAddress(addressBytes);
        return user;
    }
    
    // Or using library syntax
    function convertBytesAlt(bytes32 addressBytes) public pure returns (address) {
        return addressBytes.toAddress();
    }
}

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isValidAddress

Checks if a bytes32 value can be safely converted to an Ethereum address. 
function isValidAddress(bytes32 b) internal pure returns (bool)
Parameters:
  • b: The bytes32 value to validate
Returns: true if the bytes32 can be safely converted to an address, false otherwise Validation: For a bytes32 to represent a valid Ethereum address:
  • The top 12 bytes (96 bits) must be zero
  • Only the bottom 20 bytes (160 bits) should contain data
Example: 
import "./libs/AddressConverter.sol";

contract Example {
    using AddressConverter for bytes32;
    
    function validateAndConvert(bytes32 addressBytes) public pure returns (address) {
        // Check if valid before converting
        if (AddressConverter.isValidAddress(addressBytes)) {
            return AddressConverter.toAddress(addressBytes);
        } else {
            revert("Invalid address bytes");
        }
    }
    
    function checkValidity(bytes32 value) public pure returns (bool) {
        return value.isValidAddress();
    }
}

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Errors

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InvalidAddress

Thrown when attempting to convert an invalid bytes32 value to an address. 
error InvalidAddress(bytes32 value);
Parameters:
  • value: The invalid bytes32 value that was attempted to be converted
When it occurs:
  • When calling toAddress() with a bytes32 value where the top 12 bytes are not zero

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Usage Patterns

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Basic Conversion

import "./libs/AddressConverter.sol";

contract CrossChainMessenger {
    using AddressConverter for address;
    using AddressConverter for bytes32;
    
    function sendMessage(address recipient, bytes memory data) external {
        // Convert address to bytes32 for cross-chain message
        bytes32 recipientBytes = recipient.toBytes32();
        
        // Send message with bytes32 recipient
        _sendCrossChainMessage(recipientBytes, data);
    }
    
    function receiveMessage(bytes32 senderBytes, bytes memory data) external {
        // Convert bytes32 back to address
        address sender = senderBytes.toAddress();
        
        // Process message from sender
        _processMessage(sender, data);
    }
    
    function _sendCrossChainMessage(bytes32 recipient, bytes memory data) internal {
        // Implementation
    }
    
    function _processMessage(address sender, bytes memory data) internal {
        // Implementation
    }
}

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Safe Conversion with Validation

import "./libs/AddressConverter.sol";

contract SafeConverter {
    using AddressConverter for bytes32;
    
    event AddressConverted(bytes32 indexed input, address indexed output);
    
    function safeConvert(bytes32 addressBytes) external returns (address) {
        // Validate before converting
        require(
            addressBytes.isValidAddress(),
            "Invalid address format"
        );
        
        address converted = addressBytes.toAddress();
        emit AddressConverted(addressBytes, converted);
        
        return converted;
    }
    
    function batchConvert(bytes32[] calldata addressesBytes) 
        external 
        pure 
        returns (address[] memory) 
    {
        address[] memory addresses = new address[](addressesBytes.length);
        
        for (uint256 i = 0; i < addressesBytes.length; i++) {
            // Will revert on invalid address
            addresses[i] = addressesBytes[i].toAddress();
        }
        
        return addresses;
    }
}

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Integration with Cross-Chain Protocols

import "./libs/AddressConverter.sol";

contract CrossChainBridge {
    using AddressConverter for address;
    using AddressConverter for bytes32;
    
    struct CrossChainTransfer {
        bytes32 recipient;  // bytes32 for cross-chain compatibility
        uint256 amount;
        uint256 destinationChainId;
    }
    
    function initiateTransfer(
        address recipient,
        uint256 amount,
        uint256 destinationChainId
    ) external {
        // Convert local address to bytes32 for cross-chain transfer
        CrossChainTransfer memory transfer = CrossChainTransfer({
            recipient: recipient.toBytes32(),
            amount: amount,
            destinationChainId: destinationChainId
        });
        
        _processTransfer(transfer);
    }
    
    function completeTransfer(CrossChainTransfer calldata transfer) external {
        // Convert bytes32 back to local address
        address localRecipient = transfer.recipient.toAddress();
        
        // Transfer tokens to local recipient
        _transferTokens(localRecipient, transfer.amount);
    }
    
    function _processTransfer(CrossChainTransfer memory transfer) internal {
        // Implementation
    }
    
    function _transferTokens(address to, uint256 amount) internal {
        // Implementation
    }
}

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TypeScript Equivalent

The TypeScript SDK provides equivalent functionality. See TypeScript SDK Utilities for the TypeScript implementation. 
import { TypeCasts } from './utils/typeCasts'

// Same functionality in TypeScript
const bytes32 = TypeCasts.addressToBytes32('0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f0bEb')
const address = TypeCasts.bytes32ToAddress(bytes32)

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Gas Optimization

All functions in this library are marked as internal pure, meaning:
  • No state is read or modified
  • Functions are inlined during compilation (no JUMP operations)
  • Minimal gas cost (just the type conversions)

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Best Practices

  1. Always validate when converting from bytes32 to address using external input
  2. Use library syntax for cleaner code: address.toBytes32() instead of AddressConverter.toBytes32(address)
  3. Handle errors appropriately when toAddress() might revert
  4. Batch conversions when possible to optimize gas in loops

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