Block Height

Block height represents the number of blocks that have been confirmed in the entire history of a particular blockchain network – from the genesis block (also known as block zero) until the most recent block. Unlike the genesis block, all other blocks contain a reference (hash) to the block that came immediately before it, and the block height is the number of each block in that sequence. So the block height of the genesis block is #0, and the block height of the first block mined is #1. The block height consists of the number of blocks mined (or validated) since the creation of a particular blockchain network.

Block height should not be compared directly between different blockchains, as their average block period and hash rates are different. However, a copy of a blockchain may be considered “out of sync” if the block height of the local copy differs from what the globally accepted block height is. Thus, block height is a useful stat to look at to determine whether the copy of the given blockchain is up to date or not.

Note: These are non-technical definitions meant for a general audience and should not be used as legal definition
Back To Top