Ethereum block details offer a transparent look into the network's activity. By analyzing a specific block, users can gain insights into transaction volumes, miner rewards, gas usage, and overall blockchain health. This data is crucial for developers, investors, and enthusiasts to understand network performance and economic activity.
Key Metrics of a Sample Ethereum Block
Let's examine the key metrics from a specific Ethereum block to understand what each data point signifies. Block 18,656,135 was mined on November 26, 2023. It provides a snapshot of network activity at that time.
Transaction Overview
This block contained a total of 202 transactions. Within these transactions, a substantial amount of value was moved across the network.
- Total Value Sent: 70.4254 ETH, which was approximately $146,626 at the time.
- Average Transaction Value: 0.3486 ETH (about $725.87).
- Median Transaction Value: 0.00000 ETH, indicating that a significant number of transactions were of very low value, likely representing smart contract interactions or transfers beyond simple currency moves.
Miner Rewards and Economics
The miner of this block, identified by the address prefix 0xda-8bc5, received a total reward for their computational work. This reward is a combination of two primary elements.
- Base Block Reward: The fixed reward for successfully mining a new block was 0.06 ETH ($124.92).
- Fee Reward: The total fees paid by users for the 202 transactions included in the block amounted to an additional 0.6201 ETH ($1,291.05).
- Total Reward: Therefore, the miner's total earnings for this block were the sum of the base and fee rewards.
Technical Block Details
Beyond the financials, a block's technical data is vital for network integrity and verification.
- Hash: A unique identifier for the block (e.g.,
0xa2c-51fb3). - Parent Hash: The hash of the previous block in the chain, ensuring proper linkage.
- Gas Usage: The block used 22,916,084 units of gas, representing 76.39% of the total block gas limit of 30,000,000. This shows healthy capacity utilization without being full.
- Difficulty: The mining difficulty for this block was recorded as 0.00000, reflecting Ethereum's transition to a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, which eliminated the need for competitive mining.
- Size: The block data size was 278,191 bytes.
The Role of Block Explorers
A block explorer is an essential online tool that allows anyone to search and view details of transactions, addresses, and blocks on a blockchain. They provide a user-friendly interface to navigate the transparent but complex ledger of a cryptocurrency network.
By using a block explorer, you can verify transactions, check wallet balances, and monitor network stats like hash rate and transaction fees in real-time. This transparency is a foundational principle of decentralized networks. 👉 Explore real-time blockchain data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a block reward in Ethereum?
After The Merge, Ethereum transitioned to Proof-of-Stake. The block reward is now new ETH issued to validators who propose and attest to new blocks. This replaces the previous miner reward system and is combined with transaction fee tips.
Why is the median transaction value often zero?
A median value of zero indicates that over half of the transactions in the block were for values so small that they round down to zero. This is common because many transactions are smart contract interactions that involve complex operations but transfer little to no ETH value themselves.
What does gas limit refer to?
The gas limit is the maximum amount of gas units that can be consumed by all transactions within a single block. It helps prevent network spam and ensures blocks are processed in a timely manner by validators.
How can I use a block explorer?
You can use a block explorer by entering a transaction ID (hash), a public wallet address, or a block number into the search bar. The explorer will then display all the publicly available information associated with that query, allowing for full transparency.
What is the difference between sent value and internal value?
Sent value typically refers to the explicit ETH transferred between externally owned accounts. Internal value often relates to ETH moved as a result of smart contract execution, which may not be captured in the standard transaction list.