> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.cheqd.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.cheqd.io/decentralized-id/credentials.md).

# What are Verifiable Credentials?

In order to explain the concept of Verifiable Credentials, we have put together a simple explainer using the concept of an email with attachments. 

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>What is a Verifiable Credential</strong></mark></td><td>Learn the basics of Verifiable Credentials using a simple analogy of an email with attachments.</td><td><a href="/pages/lFFpsKFHgquy7dCKFXOD">/pages/lFFpsKFHgquy7dCKFXOD</a></td><td><a href="/files/NKy7F2kuVw6xM7WPrdL9">/files/NKy7F2kuVw6xM7WPrdL9</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Further reading

More more of a detailed and deeper understanding, we suggest starting with these external resources.&#x20;

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Verifiable Credential Data Model v1.1</strong></mark></td><td>Learn about the W3C Recommendation for Verifiable Credentials.</td><td></td><td><a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-data-model/">https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-data-model/</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Verifiable Credential Data Model v2.0</strong></mark></td><td>Learn about the proposed improvement to the initial VC Data Model. </td><td></td><td><a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-data-model-2.0/">https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-data-model-2.0/</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Hyperledger AnonCreds</strong></mark></td><td>Learn about Hyperledger's approach to privacy preserving digital credentials. </td><td></td><td><a href="https://github.com/hyperledger/anoncreds-spec">https://github.com/hyperledger/anoncreds-spec</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>ISO mDoc</strong></mark></td><td>Learn about the ISO standard for mDocs adopted by Google and Apple.</td><td></td><td><a href="https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iso:std:iso-iec:18013:-5:ed-1:v1:en">https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iso:std:iso-iec:18013:-5:ed-1:v1:en</a></td></tr></tbody></table>