Definition
Difficulty is a blockchain consensus metric that specifies how hard it is for miners or validators to produce a valid block, typically by constraining the search space for a valid cryptographic solution. It is usually adjusted periodically by the protocol to keep the average time between blocks relatively stable, regardless of changes in total network computational or validating power.
In Simple Terms
Difficulty is a number that shows how hard it is to create a new block on a blockchain. When difficulty is high, more computational effort or validating work is required to add a block. When it is lower, blocks are easier to produce. The protocol changes this value to keep block production at a roughly steady pace.
Context and Usage
The term difficulty is most commonly used in proof-of-work systems as a measure of the required hashing effort to find a valid block. It appears in protocol specifications, block headers, and network statistics dashboards. Analysts, miners, and node operators reference difficulty when discussing network security levels, resource requirements, and the overall state of the blockchain’s consensus environment.