📊 Block Times: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana & More
Compare how different blockchains balance speed and decentralization
Your Progress
0 / 5 completedReal-World Block Time Decisions
See how leading blockchains made different block time choices based on their priorities and use cases.
Chain Comparison
₿
Bitcoin
Chose security and decentralization over speed
Block Time
10 minutes
Consensus
Proof of Work
Validators
Unlimited miners
Design Reasoning
As the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin prioritized rock-solid security. 10-minute blocks ensure global consensus with thousands of independent miners.
Primary Use Case
Store of value, final settlement
Trade-offs Analysis
✓ Maximum security with massive hashrate
✓ Truly decentralized with no validator limits
✓ Proven reliability over 15+ years
✗ Poor payment UX (10-60 min confirmations)
✗ Low throughput (~7 TPS)
✗ Not suitable for instant applications
Comparison Table
| Chain | Block Time | Finality | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | 10 minutes | ~60 minutes | Security first |
| Ethereum | 12 seconds | ~13 minutes | Balanced |
| Polygon | 2 seconds | ~10 seconds | Speed first |
| Avalanche | ~2 seconds | <3 seconds | Fast finality |
🎯
No Universal "Best" Block Time
Each blockchain's block time reflects its design priorities. Bitcoin's 10 minutes enables maximum decentralization with thousands of miners. Ethereum's 12 seconds balances smart contract needs with security. Polygon's 2 seconds prioritizes user experience. The "right" block time depends entirely on what you're optimizing for.