Block Time
The average time it takes to produce a new block on a blockchain network.
Explained Simply
Block time determines how quickly transactions get confirmed on a blockchain. Bitcoin averages 10 minutes per block, Ethereum about 12 seconds, and Solana about 400 milliseconds. Shorter block times mean faster transaction confirmations but can increase the risk of orphaned blocks and require more bandwidth. Block time is a fundamental design parameter that affects a blockchain's throughput, user experience, and security model.
Example
A Bitcoin transaction typically needs 3-6 block confirmations (30-60 minutes) to be considered final, while Ethereum transactions confirm in about 12 seconds.
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