GlossaryIntermediate
Block Height
The number of blocks that came before a given block in a blockchain.
Block height counts how many blocks exist between a given block and the very first block, called the genesis block, which has a height of zero. It's a simple way to identify a block's position in the chain.
Block height is often used to reference specific points in a network's history, such as when a protocol upgrade takes effect or when a particular event occurred.
Examples
- A protocol upgrade might be scheduled to activate at a specific block height rather than a calendar date.
- Block explorers display the current block height so users can see how far the chain has progressed.