Hash Rate

Hash rate is defined as the speed at which a computer can take any set of information and turn it into letters and numbers of a certain length, known as a “hash”. Hash rate is also the combined hash speed of every computer in the network. Hash rate is calculated at hashes per second (h/s).

Hash rate is important for computers that mine. Mining is the process of recording and verifying information on the digital record known as the blockchain. The blockchain is made up of a sequence of single recordings known as a block.

To keep the blockchain network running smoothly, only one block can be created at a time. To control when blocks are created, users are required to make their computers solve a math problem involving hashing. The first computer to solve this problem can create a new block and record information on the blockchain.

Miners often purchase very expensive specially designed computers that have higher hash rates to increase their chances of solving the math problem first. These mining computers use tons of electricity to power their computers. This expensive process earns miners a reward in brand crypto plus fees paid by each user for their transactions.

Similar to memory size, hash rate is counted like this:

  • 1 kilo hash per second is one thousand (1,000) hashes per second
  • 1 mega hash per second is one million (1,000,000) hashes per second.
  • 1 giga hash per second is one billion (1,000,000,000) hashes per second.
  • 1 tera hash per second is one trillion (1,000,000,000,000) hashes per second.
  • 1 peta hash per second is one quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000) hashes per second.
  • 1 exa hash per second is one quintillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) hashes per second.