Bitcoin Halving Countdown
Time remaining until the next Bitcoin halving, when the block reward paid to miners is cut in half. The countdown is driven by the live block height, because the halving triggers on a block number rather than a calendar date.
*Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risks, so please DYOR. For beginners, check out our Beginners Guides to learn more.
What Is the Bitcoin Halving?
Bitcoin pays miners a reward for each block they add to the chain. Every 210,000 blocks, roughly every four years, that reward is cut in half. This schedule is fixed in Bitcoin's code and is the mechanism that caps total supply at 21 million coins.
The reward began at 50 BTC per block in 2009 and has since fallen to 3.125 BTC at the April 2024 halving. Learn more about how new coins are created in our guide to Proof-of-Work, and about the wider supply question in who controls Bitcoin's price.
Every Bitcoin Halving So Far
| Halving | Block | Date | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis | 0 | January 2009 | 50 BTC |
| First | 210,000 | November 2012 | 25 BTC |
| Second | 420,000 | July 2016 | 12.5 BTC |
| Third | 630,000 | May 2020 | 6.25 BTC |
| Fourth | 840,000 | April 2024 | 3.125 BTC |
| Fifth | 1,050,000 | Estimated 2028 | 1.5625 BTC |
⚠️ A Note on Halving Price Predictions
The halving reduces the rate of new supply, and it is often discussed as a bullish catalyst. Treat that claim carefully. There have only been four halvings, which is far too small a sample to establish a pattern, and each occurred under very different market conditions. The halving is a known, scheduled event, so its effects may already be reflected in the price. It guarantees nothing about future returns.
Bitcoin Halving: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Bitcoin halving?
The next halving happens at block 1,050,000. Because blocks are found on average every 10 minutes rather than on a fixed schedule, the exact date moves as network hash rate changes. The countdown above projects the date from the current block height and the 10-minute target, which is why the estimate shifts slightly over time.
What is the Bitcoin halving?
Every 210,000 blocks, roughly every four years, the reward paid to miners for each new block is cut in half. This is written into Bitcoin's code and is how its supply is capped at 21 million coins. The reward started at 50 BTC in 2009 and has halved at each event since.
Why does the halving matter?
The halving cuts the rate at which new bitcoin enters circulation, so it reduces new supply. It also directly reduces miner revenue per block, which affects mining economics. Many people watch it as a market event, but a reduction in new supply does not guarantee a price increase, and past cycles are a small sample.
How many Bitcoin halvings have there been?
Four so far: in 2012 (50 to 25 BTC), 2016 (25 to 12.5), 2020 (12.5 to 6.25) and April 2024 (6.25 to 3.125). Halvings will continue until the block reward becomes negligible, at which point miners are compensated by transaction fees alone.
Does the halving happen on a specific date?
No. It triggers on a block number, not a calendar date. Any date you see, here or anywhere else, is an estimate based on how quickly blocks are currently being mined.
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