What Is the Technical Mechanism for Determining Time on a Blockchain?

Blockchains typically use the block number or the timestamp recorded in the block header to determine time. Relying on the block number is more reliable, as block times are generally consistent.

Block timestamps are less reliable because miners can slightly manipulate them. This on-chain time is used to trigger time-sensitive functions like time-locks or option expirations.

What Are the Main Components of a Typical Block Header?
If the Nonce Space Is Exhausted, What Is the Miner’s Next Step?
What Specific Data Must a Miner Include in the Block Header of a PoA Template?
Does the Timestamp Affect the Hash of the Merkle Root?
What Is the Purpose of a “Block Header” in a Blockchain?
How Is the Nonce Related to the Block Timestamp?
Why Must the Block Timestamp Be within a Certain Range of the Network Time?
How Does a Block’s Timestamp Affect Its Acceptance by the Network?

Glossar