What is Hashrate and How is it Measured?
Hashrate measures the performance of mining hardware, calculated in algorithms per second. On the Ethereum PoW network, one algorithm is called a "hash" (h). Mining efficiency is measured in h/s (hashes per second):
- 1 Kh/s = 1,000 h/s
- 1 Mh/s = 1,000 Kh/s = 1,000,000 h/s
- 1 Gh/s = 1,000 Mh/s = 1,000,000 Kh/s = 1,000,000,000 h/s
- 1 Th/s = 1,000 Gh/s = 1,000,000 Mh/s = 1,000,000,000,000 h/s
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GPU Hashrate: How It Works
Your GPU or mining rig processes thousands to millions of algorithms per second. For example:
- An Nvidia 1070 Ti has a hash rate of 31 Mh/s, meaning it calculates 31 million algorithms per second.
- Mining is essentially a "guessing game"—miners solve hash functions to find valid block algorithms, resetting once a solution is found.
Key Terms:
- Algorithm: A single cycle result from mining software.
- Hash Function: The cryptographic puzzle miners solve repeatedly.
Understanding Network Hashrate
The Ethereum PoW (ETHW) network hashrate represents the combined performance of all miners in the network. Current stats:
- 19.61 TH/s = 19,613,092,711,608 h/s
This metric is derived from:
- Network Difficulty: Adjusts based on total mining power.
- Average Block Time: Typically set by the protocol (e.g., ~13 seconds for ETHW).
👉 Learn how network difficulty impacts your mining rewards
FAQ Section
Q1: How does hashrate affect my mining profits?
Higher hashrate increases your chance of solving blocks, but profitability also depends on electricity costs and hardware efficiency.
Q2: Why does network difficulty change?
Difficulty adjusts to maintain consistent block times, ensuring fair competition as more miners join or leave the network.
Q3: Can I mine ETHW with a regular GPU?
Yes, but profitability varies. Use calculators to compare hardware performance against energy costs.