Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals · Lesson

Reading Contract Data

Call view functions.

Reading Contract Data is a free Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Calling View Functions

Reading data from a contract is free — it does not change state, cost gas, or require a signature. These are view and pure functions.

With ethers.js you attach to a deployed contract and call them like normal JavaScript methods.

You Need the ABI

To talk to a contract, ethers needs its ABI — the interface describing each function. You can use the full compiled ABI or a minimal human-readable one:

const abi = [
  "function name() view returns (string)",
  "function balanceOf(address) view returns (uint256)",
];

const abi = [
  "function name() view returns (string)",
  "function balanceOf(address) view returns (uint256)",
];

Creating a Contract Instance

Combine the address, ABI, and a provider to create a read-only contract object:

const contract = new ethers.Contract(
  tokenAddress,
  abi,
  provider
);

Because it was given a provider (not a signer), it can only read.

const contract = new ethers.Contract(
  tokenAddress,
  abi,
  provider
);

Calling a Read Method

Call any view function and await the result:

const name = await contract.name();
const supply = await contract.totalSupply();
console.log(name, supply);

Each call returns a Promise that resolves to the decoded value.

const name = await contract.name();
const supply = await contract.totalSupply();
console.log(name, supply);

Passing Arguments

View functions can take parameters. Pass them like normal function arguments:

const balance = await contract.balanceOf(
  "0xUserAddress"
);
console.log(ethers.formatUnits(balance, 18));

ethers encodes the arguments according to the ABI types automatically.

const balance = await contract.balanceOf(
  "0xUserAddress"
);
console.log(ethers.formatUnits(balance, 18));

Handling Returned Numbers

Numeric returns are BigInt in ethers v6. To display token amounts, convert with the right decimals:

const raw = await contract.balanceOf(user);
const human = ethers.formatUnits(raw, 18);

Use formatUnits/parseUnits for tokens, formatEther/parseEther for ETH (18 decimals).

const raw = await contract.balanceOf(user);
const human = ethers.formatUnits(raw, 18);

Returns with Multiple Values

If a function returns several values, ethers gives you a result array you can destructure:

const [reserve0, reserve1, timestamp] =
  await pair.getReserves();
console.log(reserve0, reserve1);

Named return values are also accessible by name on the result object.

const [reserve0, reserve1, timestamp] =
  await pair.getReserves();
console.log(reserve0, reserve1);

Reading at a Past Block

You can query historical state by passing a block tag as an override:

const oldBalance = await contract.balanceOf(
  user,
  { blockTag: 19000000 }
);

This requires an archive node, but lets you reconstruct past state.

const oldBalance = await contract.balanceOf(
  user,
  { blockTag: 19000000 }
);

Static Calls on Write Functions

Sometimes you want to simulate a state-changing function without sending it, to read its would-be result or check it does not revert:

const result = await contract.transfer
  .staticCall(to, amount);
console.log("Would return:", result);

This runs the call locally without broadcasting a transaction.

const result = await contract.transfer
  .staticCall(to, amount);
console.log("Would return:", result);

Reads Are Free

Because view calls execute on the node without changing state:

They cost no gas for the caller.
They need no signer or wallet approval.
They return almost instantly.

Only state changes require a transaction and gas.

Using a Hardhat-Attached Instance

In Hardhat scripts you can attach to a deployed address without writing the ABI by hand, since artifacts are already compiled:

const token = await ethers.getContractAt(
  "MyToken",
  deployedAddress
);
console.log(await token.totalSupply());

ethers loads the ABI from the artifact for you.

const token = await ethers.getContractAt(
  "MyToken",
  deployedAddress
);
console.log(await token.totalSupply());

Quick Check

Test your understanding of reading contract data.

Recap

You learned to read on-chain data.

Create a contract with address + ABI + provider for read-only access.
Call view functions like normal methods and await the result.
Numeric returns are BigInt; convert with formatUnits/formatEther.
Destructure multiple return values; query the past with blockTag.
Use staticCall to simulate write functions; reads are free.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Reading Contract Data” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Reading Contract Data” is free to read here on the web, and the Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Reading Contract Data”?

Call view functions. You practise Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals?

No prior experience is required. Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Reading Contract Data” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals lesson?

Yes. Every Web3 & DApp Development Fundamentals lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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