Block Time

Block time is how often a chain produces blocks — ~10 minutes (Bitcoin), ~12 seconds (Ethereum), ~400 milliseconds (Solana). Faster blocks mean quicker fir

Block time is how often a chain produces blocks — ~10 minutes (Bitcoin), ~12 seconds (Ethereum), ~400 milliseconds (Solana). Faster blocks mean quicker first confirmations, but also more network load and (often) heavier validator requirements.

Why it matters

Block time is *not* finality or throughput by itself — it’s one input among consensus design, propagation, and execution. Chains advertising extreme speeds usually pay for it in hardware centralization, which is exactly the trade-off infrastructure scoring exists to price.

Related terms

block · consensus ·
finality

Browse all glossary terms · Start a free course