# balance (/docs/query/balance)

**Category:** Accounts & keys

## Parameters [#parameters]

| Parameter      | Type   | Description                         |
| -------------- | ------ | ----------------------------------- |
| `coldkey_ss58` | string | Coldkey whose free balance to read. |

## CLI [#cli]

```bash
btcli query balance --coldkey <ss58|name> --json
```

## Python [#python]

Namespace method (autocomplete, signature help):

```python
import bittensor as bt

sub = bt.Subtensor()
result = sub.balances.balance(coldkey_ss58="5F...")
```

Or dispatch by name, as an agent would:

```python
result = sub.read("balance", coldkey_ss58="5F...")
```

Async is the same surface awaited: `async with bt.Subtensor() as client:`.

## On-chain implementation [#on-chain-implementation]

* Storage `System.Account` — implemented by Substrate's `frame_system`, outside this repository's pallets.

Every file is browsable under [/code](/code) exactly as built into the runtime.