Hash rate measures how much computing power is being used on a proof-of-work blockchain like Bitcoin. It shows how many guesses per second miners are making to solve complex puzzles and add new blocks to the chain. A higher hash rate means more miners are working, making the network stronger and harder to attack.
For example, in December 2023, Bitcoin’s hash rate hit a record 580 exahashes per second—that’s 580 quintillion guesses every second. This massive power makes the network more secure, helps maintain smooth operation, and keeps things running even in times of high demand. Hash rate is usually expressed in hashes per second (H/s), with larger units like terahashes (TH/s), petahashes (PH/s), and exahashes (EH/s) for big networks.
