Definition
Hash rate is the rate of hash computations, usually expressed in hashes per second and multiples such as TH/s or EH/s. In proof-of-work mining, these computations search for a result that satisfies the network’s target. Hash rate is not a transaction-processing rate and does not directly measure how many payments a blockchain can handle.
How It Is Estimated
An individual mining device can report its attempted work. Network hash rate is generally inferred from observed block production and mining difficulty rather than measured by counting every machine. Short measurement windows can be noisy because block discovery is probabilistic. Results are more meaningful when the algorithm, network and estimation interval are stated.
Key Considerations
A larger share of a network’s effective hash rate usually gives a miner a larger expected share of block discoveries over time, not a guaranteed schedule of wins. Hardware efficiency and electricity costs affect profitability. Comparing raw hash-rate figures across different algorithms can be misleading. Security assessment also requires examining concentration, available hardware and incentives, not only the headline rate.