> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.megaeth.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.megaeth.com/developer-docs/rpc/reference/eth_getcode.md).

# eth\_getCode

## Summary

Returns the runtime bytecode stored at an address at a given block.

The public MegaETH endpoint supports this method. The standard, node, and gateway layers below identify behavior that differs from a generic Ethereum endpoint.

## Parameters

**`address`** Address **REQUIRED**

Target account or contract address.

***

**`block`** string

Hex block number, block hash, or tag (`latest`, `safe`, `finalized`, …). The default is `"latest"`.

## Result

**`result`** Data

Runtime bytecode (not creation bytecode) at the address; `0x` when no code is deployed.

## Comparison with Ethereum Standard JSON-RPC

### Ethereum Standard

The canonical Ethereum method uses the parameter and result contract documented above, including the stated `null`, `false`, or zero-value semantics where applicable.

### MegaETH Node Behavior

The node returns runtime bytecode from the selected state. A missing account and an account with no code are both represented by empty bytecode.

### MegaETH Public Gateway

The gateway streams bytecode responses and caches successful fixed-state lookups for up to 30 minutes. The exact cache key follows the address and block selector.

## Errors

The `| Scope |` column distinguishes method failures from gateway policy errors.

| Code     | Scope            | Message                    | When it happens                                             |
| -------- | ---------------- | -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| `-32602` | Request          | Invalid params             | Malformed address or block selector                         |
| `-32001` | Method           | Resource not found         | Block selector cannot be resolved                           |
| `4444`   | Method           | Pruned history unavailable | Requested historical state is unavailable                   |
| `-32005` | Transport/policy | Rate limit exceeded        | The caller exceeds the public gateway's simple read budget. |
| `-32099` | Transport/policy | Payload too large          | The request body exceeds the 128 KiB public endpoint limit. |

See also [Error Codes](/developer-docs/rpc/error-codes.md).

## Examples

Endpoint: `https://mainnet.megaeth.com/rpc`

Capture date: July 24, 2026

Outcome: success

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 2,
  "method": "eth_getCode",
  "params": ["0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000011", "latest"]
}
```

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 2,
  "result": "0x6080604052\u2026"
}
```

## Sources

* Spec: `git@github.com:ethereum/execution-apis.git @ d24f58b56dcd16ab0f0c70ec609bcc1c42750b51: src/eth/state.yaml`
* Code: `git@github.com:megaeth-labs/mega-reth.git @ ab60376631228edab3a6df180f295280bad26e93: crates/rpc/rpc-eth-api/src/core.rs`
* Code: `git@github.com:megaeth-labs/mega-rpc.git @ 06aa35aa95d569c227cc25d2aa12834eb0458aa0: workers/src/spec/methods.ts`
* Probe: MegaETH Mainnet public endpoint, July 24, 2026


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.megaeth.com/developer-docs/rpc/reference/eth_getcode.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.