Block time

Block time is the average time it takes a blockchain network to produce and add a new block to its chain. Each block is created according to the network’s consensus rules and includes a reference to the previous block. This keeps the chain ordered and verifiable. Block time varies by protocol and is often measured as an average because real-world conditions cause blocks to be produced faster or slower than the target rate. Block time is a key component of a blockchain because it helps define the pace at which the ledger grows over time.

Bitcoin’s average block time is designed to be 10 minutes, meaning users generally expect a new block to be added roughly every 10 minutes. By contrast, Ethereum’s average block time is around 12 seconds.