Block Height

What Is Block Height?

Block height refers to the sequential number assigned to each block in a blockchain, starting from the first block, known as the genesis block. Similar to floor numbers in a building, block height indicates how many layers have been stacked on the chain. It serves as a reference point for tracking the blockchain’s state, marking its progress, and providing a foundational coordinate for queries and statistics.

Each block acts as a “data container” that batches transactions, forming the blockchain by stacking one container on top of another. The genesis block is the very first container, and the block height count starts at 0 or 1 depending on the chain’s definition. However, the rule of “the newer, the higher” applies universally.

Why Is Block Height Important?

Block height is crucial because it functions as a reference point for multiple operations: calculating the number of transaction confirmations, determining whether nodes are synchronized, locating data within block explorers, and estimating deposit arrival times for wallets and exchanges.

If you were meeting a friend, you would need the “floor number” to find them quickly. Similarly, block height acts as the blockchain’s floor number, enabling different nodes, wallets, and explorers to communicate and align using a shared coordinate system.

How Are Block Height and Confirmations Related?

The confirmation count refers to how many additional blocks have been added on top of the block containing your transaction. As block height increases, your transaction confirmations grow accordingly.

Think of confirmations as extra floors built above your transaction’s floor. The more floors added, the lower the risk of reversal and the higher the security of your funds. Deposits, withdrawals, and merchant payments typically require a minimum number of confirmations before being considered secure.

How to Check Block Height Using a Block Explorer?

You can directly view the current block height using a block explorer or search by block number or transaction record.

Step 1: Open the relevant block explorer for your chain. For example, use Etherscan for Ethereum or Blockchain.com for Bitcoin. These sites display the “latest block” and current block height on their homepages.

Step 2: Search by block number or transaction hash. The transaction hash is a unique string, similar to a tracking number. Enter it to see which exchange processed the transaction and its associated block height.

Step 3: Check how many new blocks have been added since. The explorer will show the confirmation count for your transaction, which increases as new blocks are produced.

How Is Block Height Used in Deposit and Withdrawal Scenarios?

When depositing funds to Gate, the required confirmation count is typically displayed on the deposit page. The confirmation count is essentially the number of new blocks added after your transaction’s block, with each new block raising the block height.

Step 1: Review the confirmation requirement shown on Gate’s deposit page. Requirements vary by cryptocurrency and are clearly specified.

Step 2: Understand your blockchain’s average block time. This is the typical interval for a new “floor” to be built. As of late 2025, Bitcoin averages about 10 minutes per block; Ethereum mainnet averages around 12 seconds per block.

Step 3: Estimate deposit arrival time using “average block time × required confirmations.” For example, a Bitcoin deposit needing 6 confirmations may take about 60 minutes; an Ethereum deposit needing 12 confirmations may complete in several minutes.

Step 4: Allow for volatility and risk. Network congestion or changes in miner/validator behavior can affect block production speed; insufficient confirmations increase the risk of reversals.

How Do Block Height, Block Time, and TPS Differ?

Block height is a “sequential number,” block time is the “average time to build a new layer,” and TPS (transactions per second) measures “how many transactions can be processed every second.” These metrics represent different aspects and should not be confused.

A blockchain may have rapidly increasing block heights (frequent blocks), but TPS could be low if each block accommodates few transactions or follows strict packing rules. Conversely, high TPS does not necessarily mean faster block production or quicker increases in block height.

Does Block Height Change Due to Chain Reorganizations?

Chain reorganization occurs when the network discovers a longer or better branch and replaces some of the most recent blocks. While block height remains a sequential counter—like consecutive floor numbers—the specific “floor” may be swapped for another block.

On Proof-of-Work chains, short reorganizations involving one or two blocks occasionally happen. This is why multiple confirmations are recommended—the more confirmations, the less likely your transaction will be affected by reorganization. For security-critical actions, wait until enough confirmations are reached.

How Does Block Height Vary Across Different Public Blockchains?

The speed at which block height increases depends on each chain’s block time and design. Bitcoin produces blocks slowly; its height grows gradually. Ethereum produces blocks rapidly; its height rises quickly. Proof-of-Stake chains may introduce additional time units like “slot” or “epoch,” but they still maintain block height for reference.

As of late 2025, mainstream networks have relatively stable block times: Bitcoin at about 10 minutes per block and Ethereum mainnet at roughly 12 seconds per block. Actual waiting times fluctuate due to network load and configuration; checking real-time heights via a block explorer is more reliable.

Block Height Knowledge Summary

Block height is the blockchain’s floor number—used for locating and aligning network state—and underpins confirmation counts, fund arrival estimates, and risk management decisions. It differs fundamentally from block time and TPS; these metrics cannot be used interchangeably. For deposits and withdrawals, combining Gate’s confirmation requirements with average chain block times provides useful estimates, but always allow for network volatility and chain reorganization risks.

FAQ

How Is Block Height Calculated? Does It Start From 0 or 1?

Block height is an integer count beginning with the genesis block; most public chains start from 0 or 1. Each new block increments this number by one. For example, Bitcoin’s genesis block is at height 0; current height equals total blocks produced minus one. The value increases linearly and does not decrease unless chain reorganization occurs.

Why Is My Transaction Stuck at a Specific Block Height?

A stuck transaction is usually due to network congestion, low gas fees, or node synchronization delays—not an issue with block height itself. You can check your current confirmation count in Gate’s transaction records or use a block explorer to see if your transaction’s block height has been confirmed by the network. If height stagnates for a long period, network issues may be present; consider waiting or resending with higher fees.

Can You Directly Compare Block Heights Between Different Public Chains Like Ethereum and Bitcoin?

No—direct comparison is not meaningful because each chain has unique block speeds, supply models, and network parameters. Bitcoin averages one block every 10 minutes; Ethereum averages about one every 12 seconds. Thus, Ethereum’s block height will be much higher than Bitcoin’s over the same period. Block height only has reference value within its own chain, measuring that chain’s historical length.

How Does Block Height Impact Deposit and Withdrawal Security?

A higher block height means your transaction is older and less susceptible to tampering. Gate typically requires deposits to reach a certain block height before crediting funds—for example, Bitcoin usually needs 6 confirmations (about 1 hour), Ethereum needs 12 (about 3 minutes). You can check required confirmations on Gate’s deposit page; funds are credited only after this threshold is met.

How Can I Predict When the Next Block Height Will Be Reached?

You can estimate based on average chain block times: Bitcoin averages one block every 10 minutes; Ethereum about every 12 seconds. Actual intervals fluctuate due to network difficulty adjustments. Use a block explorer to check timestamps of recent blocks for trends or subscribe to real-time alerts from platforms like Gate to track block height changes more directly.