diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/MiningRpcTest.scala b/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/MiningRpcTest.scala
index 18e5b2c0a2..986eb37000 100644
--- a/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/MiningRpcTest.scala
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/MiningRpcTest.scala
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import org.bitcoins.testkit.rpc.BitcoindRpcTestUtil
 import org.bitcoins.testkit.util.BitcoindRpcTest
 
 import scala.concurrent.Future
+import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindP2PException.NotConnected
 
 class MiningRpcTest extends BitcoindRpcTest {
   lazy val clientsF: Future[(BitcoindRpcClient, BitcoindRpcClient)] =
@@ -20,10 +21,7 @@ class MiningRpcTest extends BitcoindRpcTest {
           .recover {
             // getblocktemplate is having a bad time on regtest
             // https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues/11379
-            case err: Throwable
-                if err.getMessage
-                  .contains("-9") =>
-              succeed
+            case NotConnected(_)  => succeed
             case other: Throwable => throw other
           }
           .map(_ => succeed)
diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/NodeRpcTest.scala b/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/NodeRpcTest.scala
index 9f593e08e0..0bb1e97ba6 100644
--- a/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/NodeRpcTest.scala
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/NodeRpcTest.scala
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import org.bitcoins.testkit.rpc.BitcoindRpcTestUtil
 import org.bitcoins.testkit.util.BitcoindRpcTest
 
 import scala.concurrent.Future
+import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindException.MiscError
 
 class NodeRpcTest extends BitcoindRpcTest {
   lazy val clientF: Future[BitcoindRpcClient] =
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ class NodeRpcTest extends BitcoindRpcTest {
       // generate some extra blocks so rescan isn't too quick
       client.generate(3000).flatMap { _ =>
         val rescanFailedF =
-          recoverToSucceededIf[RuntimeException](client.rescanBlockChain())
+          recoverToSucceededIf[MiscError](client.rescanBlockChain())
         client.abortRescan().flatMap { _ =>
           rescanFailedF
         }
diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/RawTransactionRpcTest.scala b/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/RawTransactionRpcTest.scala
index 3329f940fc..212d997703 100644
--- a/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/RawTransactionRpcTest.scala
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc-test/src/test/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/common/RawTransactionRpcTest.scala
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import org.bitcoins.testkit.rpc.BitcoindRpcTestUtil
 import org.bitcoins.testkit.util.BitcoindRpcTest
 
 import scala.concurrent.Future
+import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindException.InvalidAddressOrKey
 
 class RawTransactionRpcTest extends BitcoindRpcTest {
   lazy val clientsF: Future[(BitcoindRpcClient, BitcoindRpcClient)] =
@@ -249,7 +250,7 @@ class RawTransactionRpcTest extends BitcoindRpcTest {
           client
             .createRawTransaction(Vector(), Map(address -> Bitcoins(1)))
             .flatMap { tx =>
-              recoverToSucceededIf[RuntimeException](
+              recoverToSucceededIf[InvalidAddressOrKey](
                 client.abandonTransaction(tx.txId))
             }
         }
diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/BitcoindException.scala b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/BitcoindException.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c179389f5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/BitcoindException.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,313 @@
+package org.bitcoins.rpc
+import play.api.libs.json.Reads
+import play.api.libs.json.{JsResult, JsValue}
+import play.api.libs.json.JsError
+import play.api.libs.json.JsSuccess
+
+/**
+  * Represents failures that can happen when using the
+  * `bitcoind` RPC interface.
+  *
+  * @see [[https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/eb7daf4d600eeb631427c018a984a77a34aca66e/src/rpc/protocol.h#L32 protcol.h]]
+  *      for an enumeration of all error codes used
+  */
+sealed abstract class BitcoindException(private val message: String)
+    extends Exception {
+  override def getMessage(): String = s"Error $code: $message"
+  val code: Int
+}
+
+/**
+  * Wallet errors from `bitcoind` RPC calls
+  *
+  * @see [[https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/eb7daf4d600eeb631427c018a984a77a34aca66e/src/rpc/protocol.h#L32 protcol.h]]
+  *      for an enumeration of all error codes used
+  */
+
+object BitcoindException {
+  import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindP2PException._
+  import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindWalletException._
+
+  implicit val reads: Reads[BitcoindException] = new Reads[BitcoindException] {
+
+    def reads(json: JsValue): JsResult[BitcoindException] =
+      for {
+        code <- (json \ "code").validate[Int]
+        message <- (json \ "message").validate[String]
+        exception <- BitcoindException.fromCodeAndMessage(code, message) match {
+          case None =>
+            JsError(
+              s"Could not construct bitcoind exception with code $code and message '$message'")
+          case Some(value) => JsSuccess(value)
+        }
+      } yield exception
+  }
+
+  private val all: List[String => BitcoindException] = List(
+    InvalidParams(_),
+    InternalError(_),
+    ParseError(_),
+    MiscError(_),
+    TypeError(_),
+    InvalidAddressOrKey(_),
+    OutOfMemory(_),
+    InvalidParameter(_),
+    DatabaseError(_),
+    DeserializationError(_),
+    VerifyError(_),
+    VerifyRejected(_),
+    VerifyAlreadyInChain(_),
+    InWarmUp(_),
+    MethodDeprecated(_),
+    ForbiddenBySafeMode(_),
+    InInitialDownload(_),
+    NodeAlreadyAdded(_),
+    NodeNotAdded(_),
+    NodeNotConnected(_),
+    InvalidIpOrSubnet(_),
+    P2PDisabled(_),
+    WalletError(_),
+    InsufficientFunds(_),
+    InvalidLabelName(_),
+    KeypoolRanOut(_),
+    UnlockNeeded(_),
+    PassphraseIncorrect(_),
+    WrongEncState(_),
+    EncryptionFailed(_),
+    AlreadyUnlocked(_),
+    NotFound(_),
+    NotSpecified(_)
+  )
+
+  /** Attempts to construct a BitcoindException from the given code and message */
+  def fromCodeAndMessage(
+      code: Int,
+      message: String): Option[BitcoindException] = {
+
+    val constructorOpt = all.find(func => func(message).code == code)
+
+    constructorOpt.map(func => func(message))
+  }
+
+  final case class InvalidParams(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -32602
+  }
+
+  /**
+    * InternalError is only used for genuine errors in bitcoind
+    * (for example datadir corruption)
+    */
+  final case class InternalError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -32603
+  }
+  final case class ParseError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -32700
+  }
+
+  /** `std::exception` thrown in command handling*/
+  final case class MiscError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -1
+  }
+
+  /** Unexpected type was passed as parameter */
+  final case class TypeError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -3
+  }
+
+  /** Invalid address or key */
+  final case class InvalidAddressOrKey(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -5
+  }
+
+  /**  Ran out of memory during operation*/
+  final case class OutOfMemory(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -7
+  }
+
+  /** Invalid, missing or duplicate parameter */
+  final case class InvalidParameter(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -8
+  }
+
+  /** Database error */
+  final case class DatabaseError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -20
+  }
+
+  /** Error parsing or validating structure in raw format */
+  final case class DeserializationError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -22
+  }
+
+  /** General error during transaction or block submission */
+  final case class VerifyError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -25
+  }
+
+  /** Transaction or block was rejected by network rules */
+  final case class VerifyRejected(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -26
+  }
+
+  /** Transaction already in chain */
+  final case class VerifyAlreadyInChain(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -27
+  }
+
+  /** Client still warming up */
+  final case class InWarmUp(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -28
+  }
+
+  /** RPC method is deprecated */
+  final case class MethodDeprecated(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -32
+  }
+
+  /**  Server is in safe mode, and command is not allowed in safe mode */
+  final case class ForbiddenBySafeMode(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -2
+  }
+}
+
+/**  P2P client errors
+  *
+  * @see [[https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/eb7daf4d600eeb631427c018a984a77a34aca66e/src/rpc/protocol.h#L32 protcol.h]]
+  *      for an enumeration of all error codes used
+  */
+sealed abstract class BitcoindP2PException(private val message: String)
+    extends BitcoindException(message)
+
+object BitcoindP2PException {
+
+  /** Bitcoin is not connected */
+  final case class NotConnected(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindP2PException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -9
+  }
+
+  /** Still downloading initial blocks */
+  final case class InInitialDownload(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindP2PException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -10
+  }
+
+  /** Node is already added */
+  final case class NodeAlreadyAdded(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindP2PException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -23
+  }
+
+  /** Node has not been added before */
+  final case class NodeNotAdded(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindP2PException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -24
+  }
+
+  /** Node to disconnect not found in connected nodes */
+  final case class NodeNotConnected(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindP2PException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -29
+  }
+
+  /** Invalid IP/Subnet */
+  final case class InvalidIpOrSubnet(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindP2PException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -30
+  }
+
+  /** No valid connection manager instance found */
+  final case class P2PDisabled(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindP2PException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -31
+  }
+}
+
+sealed abstract class BitcoindWalletException(private val message: String)
+    extends BitcoindException(message)
+
+object BitcoindWalletException {
+
+  /** Unspecified problem with wallet (key not found etc.) */
+  final case class WalletError(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -4
+  }
+
+  /** Not enough funds in wallet or account */
+  final case class InsufficientFunds(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -6
+  }
+
+  /** Invalid label name */
+  final case class InvalidLabelName(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -11
+  }
+
+  /** Keypool ran out, call keypoolrefill first */
+  final case class KeypoolRanOut(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -12
+  }
+
+  /** Enter the wallet passphrase with walletpassphrase first */
+  final case class UnlockNeeded(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -13
+  }
+
+  /** The wallet passphrase entered was incorrect */
+  final case class PassphraseIncorrect(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -14
+  }
+
+  /** Command given in wrong wallet encryption state (encrypting an encrypted wallet etc.) */
+  final case class WrongEncState(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -15
+  }
+
+  /** Failed to encrypt the wallet */
+  final case class EncryptionFailed(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -16
+  }
+
+  /** Wallet is already unlocked */
+  final case class AlreadyUnlocked(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -17
+  }
+
+  /**  Invalid wallet specified */
+  final case class NotFound(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -18
+  }
+
+  /** No wallet specified (error when there are multiple wallets loaded) */
+  final case class NotSpecified(private val message: String)
+      extends BitcoindWalletException(message) {
+    val code: Int = -19
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/BitcoindRpcClient.scala b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/BitcoindRpcClient.scala
index 370bd9510e..b591fe4f74 100644
--- a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/BitcoindRpcClient.scala
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/BitcoindRpcClient.scala
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@ import org.bitcoins.rpc.config.{BitcoindConfig, BitcoindInstance}
   * [[org.bitcoins.rpc.client.v16.BitcoindV16RpcClient BitcoindV16RpcClient]]
   * or
   * [[org.bitcoins.rpc.client.v17.BitcoindV17RpcClient BitcoindV17RpcClient]].
+  *
+  * If a RPC call fails for any reason, a
+  * [[org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindException BitcoindException]] is thrown.
+  * This is a sealed abstract class, so you can pattern match easily
+  * on the errors, and handle them as you see fit.
   */
 class BitcoindRpcClient(val instance: BitcoindInstance)(
     implicit
diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/Client.scala b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/Client.scala
index e57e13b43e..d91e7e6693 100644
--- a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/Client.scala
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/common/Client.scala
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import org.bitcoins.rpc.config.BitcoindAuthCredentials.PasswordBased
 import java.nio.file.Path
 import org.bitcoins.rpc.config.BitcoindAuthCredentials
 import com.fasterxml.jackson.core.JsonParseException
+import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindException
 
 /**
   * This is the base trait for Bitcoin Core
@@ -183,9 +184,9 @@ trait Client extends BitcoinSLogger {
 
       // Ping successful if no error can be parsed from the payload
       val parsedF = payloadF.map { payload =>
-        (payload \ errorKey).validate[RpcError] match {
-          case _: JsSuccess[RpcError] => false
-          case _: JsError             => true
+        (payload \ errorKey).validate[BitcoindException] match {
+          case _: JsSuccess[BitcoindException] => false
+          case _: JsError                      => true
         }
       }
 
@@ -195,6 +196,7 @@ trait Client extends BitcoinSLogger {
           false
       }
     }
+
     instance.authCredentials match {
       case cookie: CookieBased if Files.notExists(cookie.cookiePath) =>
         // if the cookie file doesn't exist we're not started
@@ -308,13 +310,12 @@ trait Client extends BitcoinSLogger {
     result match {
       case JsSuccess(value, _) => value
       case res: JsError =>
-        (json \ errorKey).validate[RpcError] match {
-          case err: JsSuccess[RpcError] =>
+        (json \ errorKey).validate[BitcoindException] match {
+          case JsSuccess(err, _) =>
             if (printError) {
-              logger.error(s"Error ${err.value.code}: ${err.value.message}")
+              logger.error(s"$err")
             }
-            throw new RuntimeException(
-              s"Error $command ${err.value.code}: ${err.value.message}")
+            throw err
           case _: JsError =>
             val jsonResult = (json \ resultKey).get
             val errString =
@@ -332,20 +333,15 @@ trait Client extends BitcoinSLogger {
       json: JsValue,
       printError: Boolean): Unit = {
     if (result == JsSuccess(())) {
-      (json \ errorKey).validate[RpcError] match {
-        case err: JsSuccess[RpcError] =>
+      (json \ errorKey).validate[BitcoindException] match {
+        case JsSuccess(err, _) =>
           if (printError) {
-            logger.error(s"Error ${err.value.code}: ${err.value.message}")
+            logger.error(s"$err")
           }
-          throw new RuntimeException(
-            s"Error ${err.value.code}: ${err.value.message}")
+          throw err
         case _: JsError =>
       }
     }
   }
 
-  case class RpcError(code: Int, message: String)
-
-  implicit val rpcErrorReads: Reads[RpcError] = Json.reads[RpcError]
-
 }
diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v16/BitcoindV16RpcClient.scala b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v16/BitcoindV16RpcClient.scala
index 7ee6cebb1c..2bb2145a92 100644
--- a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v16/BitcoindV16RpcClient.scala
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v16/BitcoindV16RpcClient.scala
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ import scala.util.Try
 
 /**
   * This class is compatible with version 0.16 of Bitcoin Core.
+  *
+  * @see [[org.bitcoins.rpc.client.common.BitcoindRpcClient BitcoindRpcClient Scaladocs]]
   */
 class BitcoindV16RpcClient(override val instance: BitcoindInstance)(
     implicit
diff --git a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v17/BitcoindV17RpcClient.scala b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v17/BitcoindV17RpcClient.scala
index 0d7fd5a991..3bb1a88b2f 100644
--- a/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v17/BitcoindV17RpcClient.scala
+++ b/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/client/v17/BitcoindV17RpcClient.scala
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ import scala.util.Try
 /**
   * This class is compatible with version 0.17 of Bitcoin Core.
   *
+  * @see [[org.bitcoins.rpc.client.common.BitcoindRpcClient BitcoindRpcClient Scaladocs]]
+  *
   * @define signRawTx Bitcoin Core 0.17 had a breaking change in the API
   *                   for signing raw transactions. Previously the same
   *                   RPC call was used for signing a TX with existing keys
diff --git a/docs/rpc/bitcoind.md b/docs/rpc/bitcoind.md
index c3bfcb5e3b..ee1b5794b3 100644
--- a/docs/rpc/bitcoind.md
+++ b/docs/rpc/bitcoind.md
@@ -87,6 +87,45 @@ rpcCli.getBalance.onComplete { case balance =>
 }
 ```
 
+## Error handling
+
+All errors returned by Bitcoin Core are mapped to a corresponding
+[`BitcoindException`](https://github.com/bitcoin-s/bitcoin-s/blob/master/bitcoind-rpc/src/main/scala/org/bitcoins/rpc/BitcoindException.scala).
+These exceptions contain an error code and a message. `BitcoindException` is a sealed
+trait, which means you can easily pattern match exhaustively. Of course, other errors
+could also happen: network errors, stack overflows or out-of-memory errors. The provided
+class is only intended to cover errors returned by Bitcoin Core. An example of how error
+handling could look:
+
+```scala mdoc:compile-only
+import org.bitcoins.rpc.client.common._
+import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindException
+import org.bitcoins.rpc.BitcoindWalletException
+import org.bitcoins.core.crypto._
+import org.bitcoins.core.protocol._
+import org.bitcoins.core.currency._
+
+import scala.concurrent._
+
+implicit val system = akka.actor.ActorSystem()
+implicit val ec = system.dispatcher
+
+// let's assume you have an already running client,
+// so there's no need to start this one
+val cli = BitcoindRpcClient.fromDatadir()
+
+// let's also assume you have a bitcoin address
+val address: BitcoinAddress = ???
+
+val txid: Future[DoubleSha256DigestBE] =
+  cli.sendToAddress(address, 3.bitcoins).recoverWith {
+    case BitcoindWalletException.UnlockNeeded(_) =>
+      cli.walletPassphrase("my_passphrase", 60).flatMap { _ =>
+        cli.sendToAddress(address, 3.bitcoins)
+      }
+  }
+```
+
 ## Testing
 
 To test the Bitcoin-S RPC project you need both version 0.16 and 0.17 of Bitcoin Core. A list of current and previous releases can be found [here](https://bitcoincore.org/en/releases/).