How to Check Cryptocurrency Prices From the Command Line

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For cryptocurrency investors and developers, having quick access to real-time price data is essential. While many websites and applications offer this information, using the command line can be a faster and more efficient method, especially for those who work primarily in terminal environments. One such tool that makes this possible is Coinmon.

Coinmon is a simple, Node.js-based command-line utility that fetches the latest cryptocurrency prices and market data directly from the Coinmarketcap API. Unlike some other tools, it focuses solely on delivering cryptocurrency price information without additional features, making it straightforward and reliable for daily use.

Installing Coinmon on Your System

Before installing Coinmon, you need to have Node.js and NPM (Node Package Manager) installed on your system. These are required since Coinmon is a Node.js package.

If you haven’t installed Node.js and NPM yet, you can download them from the official Node.js website. Installation packages are available for Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions.

Once Node.js and NPM are installed, open your terminal and run the following command to install Coinmon globally:

sudo npm install -g coinmon

This command will download and install the latest version of Coinmon, making it accessible from anywhere in your terminal.

Using Coinmon to Check Crypto Prices

After installation, you can start using Coinmon right away to fetch cryptocurrency market data.

View Top Cryptocurrencies by Market Cap

To display the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, simply run:

coinmon

This command will show a table with essential information such as each cryptocurrency’s rank, name, symbol, price, 24-hour change, and market cap.

Increase the Number of Listed Coins

If you want to see more than the top 10 cryptocurrencies, use the -t flag followed by the desired number. For example, to see the top 20:

coinmon -t 20

You can adjust this number to display as many entries as you need.

Convert Prices to Another Currency

By default, Coinmon displays prices in US dollars. However, you can convert them to other fiat currencies using the -c flag.

For instance, to view prices in Euros:

coinmon -c eur

Coinmon supports a wide range of currencies, including AUD, BRL, CAD, CHF, CNY, EUR, GBP, INR, JPY, and many others.

Search for a Specific Cryptocurrency

If you’re interested in a particular cryptocurrency, you can search for it using its symbol. For example, to check Bitcoin’s price:

coinmon -f btc

You can also search for multiple cryptocurrencies by separating symbols with commas:

coinmon -f btc,eth,xrp

This is especially useful for quickly monitoring your preferred assets.

Understanding the Output

Coinmon’s output is designed to be human-readable. It includes:

The tool also supports a humanized market cap display, showing large numbers in a more readable format (e.g., “$500B” instead of “500,000,000,000”).

Advanced Usage and Help

For more options and details, you can always access Coinmon’s help section by running:

coinmon -h

This command displays all available flags and usage examples, including how to disable humanized numbers or customize output further.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coinmon?
Coinmon is a command-line tool that retrieves real-time cryptocurrency prices and market data. It sources information from Coinmarketcap and is ideal for developers and traders who prefer terminal-based workflows.

How accurate is the data provided by Coinmon?
The data is fetched directly from Coinmarketcap’s API, which is a widely trusted source for cryptocurrency market information. Prices and metrics are updated in real-time.

Can I use Coinmon on any operating system?
Yes, as long as you have Node.js and NPM installed. Coinmon works on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

Is Coinmon free to use?
Yes, Coinmon is an open-source utility and is completely free to install and use.

How often is the data updated?
The data is pulled in real-time from the API, so it reflects the latest market conditions each time you run the command.

Can I track less popular cryptocurrencies with Coinmon?
Yes, as long as the cryptocurrency is listed on Coinmarketcap and has a valid symbol, you can search for it using the -f flag.

Whether you’re a developer integrating crypto data into your applications or an investor keeping an eye on the market, Coinmon offers a lightweight and efficient solution. For those looking to explore more advanced crypto tools and resources, you can discover additional platforms here. This utility simplifies the process of staying updated without leaving your terminal, making it a valuable addition to your toolkit.