Introduction
You're planning a token airdrop to your NFT holders. Or building a whitelist for your next mint. Or just trying to figure out who owns your collection.
But how do you get a list of every wallet holding your NFTs?
The answer: NFT Snapshots.
In this guide, I'll explain exactly what an NFT snapshot is, how it works on Solana, what data it captures, and why projects use snapshots for airdrops, whitelists, and community rewards.
What is an NFT Snapshot?
An NFT snapshot is a point-in-time capture of all wallet addresses holding NFTs from a specific collection, along with how many NFTs each wallet owns.
On Solana, a snapshot scans every NFT associated with a collection address and identifies the current owner of each. The result is a downloadable list—typically CSV or JSON—containing every holder's wallet address and NFT count.
Simple explanation:
- You provide the collection address
- The tool queries the Solana blockchain
- It finds every wallet holding NFTs from that collection
- You download the complete holder list with NFT counts
Unlike marketplace analytics (which show limited data), an NFT holder export tool gives you the raw ownership data—every single holder, exportable and actionable.
How Does an NFT Snapshot Work? (Technical Breakdown)
Let's look at what happens when you take a snapshot of a Solana NFT collection:
Step 1: Collection Address Input
You provide the collection address—the verified collection identifier that groups NFTs together. This is different from individual NFT mint addresses.
Step 2: NFT Discovery
The snapshot tool queries the Solana blockchain to find all NFTs belonging to that collection. This involves:
- Reading Metaplex metadata
- Checking collection verification
- Handling both standard and compressed NFTs
Step 3: Owner Identification
For each NFT in the collection, the tool identifies the owner—the wallet address that currently holds that NFT.
Step 4: Aggregation
Owners are aggregated by wallet address:
- If a wallet holds 5 NFTs → counted once with quantity 5
- Single NFT holders → counted once with quantity 1
Step 5: Data Compilation
All holder data is compiled into a structured format:
| Data Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet Address | Owner of the NFT(s) | 7xKX...4mPq |
| NFT Count | Number of NFTs held | 5 |
| Percentage | Share of total collection | 0.5% |
Step 6: Export
The complete holder list is exported to CSV (for spreadsheets and airdrop tools) or JSON (for developers and custom scripts).
What Data Does an NFT Snapshot Include?
A comprehensive NFT snapshot captures:
Core Fields:
- Wallet address — The holder's Solana public key
- NFT count — Number of NFTs held from the collection
- Percentage of collection — Holder's share of total supply
Extended Fields (tool-dependent):
- Individual NFT mint addresses
- Holder rank by quantity
- Rarity scores (if available)
- Collection verification status
Why Do Projects Take NFT Snapshots?
1. Token Airdrops to Holders
The most common use case. NFT projects airdrop tokens to holders:
- Reward community members with governance tokens
- Distribute utility tokens for ecosystem
- Proportional rewards based on NFTs held
Example: A collection airdrops 100 tokens per NFT held—holders with 5 NFTs receive 500 tokens. After you export your NFT holders to CSV, use a bulk sender to distribute tokens.
2. Whitelist Generation
Create allow-lists for exclusive access:
- Presale spots for new mints
- Exclusive drops for existing holders
- Tiered access based on NFT count
3. Diamond Hands Rewards
Identify and reward loyal long-term holders:
- Compare snapshots over time
- Track who has held continuously
- Reward holders who didn't flip
4. Whale Detection
Identify collectors with multiple NFTs:
- Track top 10/50/100 collectors
- Monitor collection concentration
- Identify potential influencers
5. Community Analytics
Understand your holder base:
- Total unique holders
- Average NFTs per holder
- Holder growth over time
- Distribution patterns
NFT Standards on Solana
Metaplex Standard (Original)
The classic Solana NFT standard:
- Individual NFT accounts
- On-chain metadata
- Used by most collections
Snapshot compatibility: ✅ Fully supported
Certified Collections
Metaplex verified collections with on-chain collection authority:
- Collection address links all NFTs
- Verification prevents fakes
- Easier to snapshot
Snapshot compatibility: ✅ Fully supported
Compressed NFTs (cNFTs)
State compression for cheaper minting:
- Data stored in Merkle trees
- Much cheaper to mint (1000x)
- Different on-chain structure
Snapshot compatibility: ✅ Requires updated tools that support cNFT scanning
Programmable NFTs (pNFTs)
NFTs with enforced royalties and rules:
- Royalty enforcement on-chain
- Custom authorization rules
- Used by newer collections
Snapshot compatibility: ✅ Fully supported
NFT Snapshot vs Marketplace Analytics
Why not just use Magic Eden or Tensor?
| Feature | Marketplace Analytics | NFT Snapshot Tool |
|---|---|---|
| View holder count | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| See top holders | ✅ Limited | ✅ All holders |
| Export to CSV | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Get wallet addresses | ❌ No bulk export | ✅ Full list |
| Airdrop-ready format | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Compressed NFT support | ✅ Partial | ✅ Full |
Marketplaces are great for trading and quick stats. A dedicated Solana NFT snapshot tool is essential for taking action on holder data.
How to Use an NFT Snapshot for Airdrops
Here's a typical workflow for airdropping tokens to your NFT community:
Step 1: Take the Snapshot
- Enter your collection address
- Generate the snapshot
- Download the CSV file
Step 2: Calculate Airdrop Amounts
Add a column for airdrop allocation:
- Per-NFT: Multiply NFT count by tokens per NFT
- Equal: Same amount to all holders regardless of count
- Tiered: Different rates for different holder tiers
Step 3: Filter (Optional)
- Remove known marketplace wallets
- Exclude suspected bots
- Set minimum NFT threshold
Step 4: Import to Multisender
Upload your CSV to Jumpbit Multisender and execute the airdrop to all holders in batches.
What Are the Limitations of NFT Snapshots?
Point-in-Time Only
A snapshot captures one moment. Ownership changes constantly—the data is accurate only at snapshot time.
No Historical Data (Usually)
Most tools snapshot the current state only. Historical ownership requires specialized archival tools.
Includes All Holders
Snapshots include marketplace escrows, lending protocols, and bots. You may need to filter these out.
Large Collections Take Longer
Collections with 50K+ NFTs require more processing time. Expect 30-90 seconds for large collections.
Common Questions About NFT Snapshots
What address do I need?
You need the collection address, not individual NFT mints. Find it on:
- Magic Eden (collection page URL or details)
- Tensor (collection info section)
- Solscan (search collection name)
Can I snapshot compressed NFTs?
Yes, but not all tools support cNFTs. Modern snapshot tools handle standard Metaplex, compressed NFTs (cNFTs), and programmable NFTs (pNFTs) automatically.
How accurate is the data?
Snapshot accuracy depends on:
- RPC node freshness (usually <1 second delay)
- Collection verification (verified = more accurate)
- Time of snapshot (ownership changes constantly)
Can I snapshot a specific time in the past?
Most tools only support current-block snapshots. Historical snapshots require archival RPC nodes and specialized tools.
Key Takeaways
NFT snapshots are essential for any Solana collection planning:
- Token airdrops to holders
- Whitelist generation for mints
- Community reward programs
- Holder analytics and tracking
The process is straightforward: provide a collection address, let the tool scan the blockchain, and download your complete holder list.
Ready to capture your NFT holder data?
Try Jumpbit's NFT holder snapshot tool—no API keys, no coding, just paste your collection address and export in seconds.
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