Definition
Throughput is a performance metric that measures how many units of work a blockchain processes over a specific period of time, usually counted as transactions per second. It reflects the rate at which the network confirms and records activity into new blocks. Higher throughput means the system can handle more confirmed transactions within each time interval.
In Simple Terms
Throughput is a way to describe how much activity a blockchain can handle in a given amount of time. It usually tells how many transactions are successfully processed and added to the chain each second. It is like a speed counter for how fast the network completes and records transactions.
Context and Usage
Throughput is commonly discussed when comparing the performance of different blockchains or evaluating the capacity of a single network. It is often mentioned alongside limits related to block size, block time, and the capabilities of individual nodes. Conversations about Layer 1 scalability, congestion, and network performance frequently refer to throughput as a key measurement.