# How to convert private key to a mnemonic word phrase

**URL:** <https://forum.cardano.org/t/how-to-convert-private-key-to-a-mnemonic-word-phrase/30045>\
**Category:** Operate a Stake Pool\
**Created:** [17 January 2020 08:57 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/how-to-convert-private-key-to-a-mnemonic-word-phrase/30045 "2020-01-17T08:57:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stefanosu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/stefanosu/32/74544_2.png) [@stefanosu](https://forum.cardano.org/u/stefanosu)\
**Post date:** [17 January 2020 08:57 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/how-to-convert-private-key-to-a-mnemonic-word-phrase/30045/1 "2020-01-17T08:57:19Z")

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Hi,  
in testnet  
I’ve created an account with command:  
./jcli key generate --type=Ed25519Extended  
and sent some ADA on it successfully.  
So I have the account private key and address.

Now I would like to manage, this created account with a yoroi wallet,  
but I need a mnemonic word to restore.

I know that cardano-wallet can generate private key from mnemonic word with command  
./cardano-wallet mnemonic reward-credentials

Anyone knows if is possible to do the opposite?

Thanks.  
Stefano.

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**Author:** ![adatainment](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/adatainment/32/81481_2.png) [@adatainment](https://forum.cardano.org/u/adatainment)\
**Post date:** [17 January 2020 09:09 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/how-to-convert-private-key-to-a-mnemonic-word-phrase/30045/2 "2020-01-17T09:09:57Z")

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Hello,  
There is no way to generate mnemonic from a private key.

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**Author:** ![stefanosu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/stefanosu/32/74544_2.png) [@stefanosu](https://forum.cardano.org/u/stefanosu)\
**Post date:** [17 January 2020 10:13 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/how-to-convert-private-key-to-a-mnemonic-word-phrase/30045/3 "2020-01-17T10:13:41Z")

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Thanks,  
And a wallet on testnet that restore from PK?

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**Author:** ![rdlrt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/rdlrt/32/9098_2.png) [@rdlrt](https://forum.cardano.org/u/rdlrt)\
**Post date:** [17 January 2020 10:23 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/how-to-convert-private-key-to-a-mnemonic-word-phrase/30045/4 "2020-01-17T10:23:36Z")

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You cannot restore a wallet from a public key ofcourse.  
I assume you meant the private key, but then what you’re looking at from cardano wallet is not the root key itself, its a derived key (think of it as a child key) derived from key that your mnemonics generated.  
While you can unlock “a” HD wallet or an account with a private key (using WASM for example), it will not be the same as the original one you used in cardano wallet (which - for now - only allows restoring via mnemonics)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stefanosu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex023/user_avatar/forum.cardano.org/stefanosu/32/74544_2.png) [@stefanosu](https://forum.cardano.org/u/stefanosu)\
**Post date:** [18 January 2020 09:20 UTC](https://forum.cardano.org/t/how-to-convert-private-key-to-a-mnemonic-word-phrase/30045/5 "2020-01-18T09:20:45Z")

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Thank you,  
yes I meant private key or SK secret key.  
I’ll look to WASM .

Stefano.