What is the Bitcoin halving?
A halving is when the Bitcoin protocol cuts the block subsidy—the newly created BTC allowed in a valid block—by half. This happens every 210,000 blocks, which has averaged roughly four years. The next scheduled change is at block 1,050,000, when the subsidy is scheduled to move from 3.125 BTC to 1.5625 BTC per block.
“Block reward” is sometimes used for the subsidy alone, but a miner’s total block reward also includes transaction fees. Halving changes the subsidy; it does not halve the transaction fees users pay.
How to read this countdown
The network’s rule is based on block height. This page checks a public Bitcoin block-height endpoint and subtracts the current height from block 1,050,000. It estimates time by assuming an average of ten minutes per block. Real blocks arrive at uneven intervals, so the estimated days and hours can move faster or slower; no exact calendar date is promised.
If the live data source is unavailable, the countdown shows an unavailable message rather than presenting an old estimate as current. You can also check the latest block height at mempool.space.
Previous halvings
| Block | Approximate date | Subsidy after event |
|---|---|---|
| 210,000 | November 2012 | 25 BTC |
| 420,000 | July 2016 | 12.5 BTC |
| 630,000 | May 2020 | 6.25 BTC |
| 840,000 | April 2024 | 3.125 BTC |
| 1,050,000 | Not known in advance | 1.5625 BTC scheduled |
Why does Bitcoin have halvings?
The issuance schedule was designed so new bitcoin enters circulation at a declining rate. The subsidy started at 50 BTC per block and is reduced by half at each 210,000-block interval. Over time, the subsidy becomes smaller; miners also receive transaction fees. The protocol schedule is public, but its economic effects depend on many factors outside the schedule.
Does a halving make Bitcoin’s price go up?
No price increase is guaranteed. A halving changes the rate at which new BTC can be created by the subsidy. Market price also depends on demand, liquidity, expectations, economic conditions, regulation and many other factors. Some people may already anticipate the event before it occurs. Past cycles are few and took place under different market conditions, so they cannot establish what will happen next.
What can change for miners?
After a halving, the BTC subsidy per block is lower. A miner’s revenue in local currency also depends on BTC’s market price, transaction fees, electricity costs, hardware, financing and competition. Some miners may adapt, pause or leave; the network’s difficulty adjusts over time. A countdown cannot tell whether a particular miner or mining business will be profitable.
Sources and further reading
- Bitcoin.org halving overview — block interval and supply schedule.
- Bitcoin.org vocabulary — block subsidy and miner fees.
- Mempool API reference — public endpoint for current block height.
Educational information only. The countdown is an estimate based on block height and average block time, not a guaranteed date, market signal or investment recommendation. Bitcoin is volatile and you can lose the amount you spend.