What Is Block Height?
Block height refers to the sequential position of a block within a blockchain.
A blockchain consists of a series of blocks, each containing information about transactions conducted on the blockchain during a specific period.
Blocks are added to the end of the blockchain at regular intervals.
Block Height in Blockchain
The block height indicates the number of blocks that precede the block in question within the blockchain.
In other words, it can be considered as “b-1,” where “b” represents the total length of the blockchain.
Each block in the blockchain has a unique block height value.
The first block in the blockchain, called the genesis block, has a block height of zero, signifying no preceding blocks in the chain.
Block height is a significant metric for understanding the rate at which new blocks are added to a particular blockchain.
It also serves as an identifier for individual blocks.
Duplicate Block Heights and Their Implications
However, there are cases where two blocks may have the same block height.
When a miner or group of miners solves a cryptographic problem to create a block, simultaneous solutions by multiple parties can result in two blocks with the same height.
Depending on the outcome, this situation can lead to a fork or orphaned block.
However, duplicate blocks cannot exist within a single blockchain.
Block height is a crucial piece of information displayed on block explorers.
Using an explorer, it is highly useful for users seeking specific details about blocks or transactions.