A blockchain viewer is powered by nodes as a web interface for searching a cryptocurrency's blockchain. It provides real-time data on the network's state and is utilized to search and obtain information about past transactions, explore individual block details, and monitor traffic.

While some block explorers offer more advanced features than others, cryptocurrencies may have blockchains that operate in diverse ways. Any major project needs to have a corresponding block explorer with similar functionalities. That's why BeInCrypto has developed a helpful guide that explains what block explorers are, how to use them, and where to find them.

In this guide, we will utilize blockchain.com to explore the Bitcoin blockchain. Additionally, we will address alternative popular websites and services for various cryptocurrencies in later sections. It is worth noting that the functionalities of most explorers are remarkably similar. Therefore, the knowledge gained here should be applicable and easily adaptable across different websites.

The initial focus point blockchain viewer is the list of the latest blocks that have been mined. It’s important to note that not all blockchains rely on mining for security. The details of block confirmation are beyond the scope of this article, but it’s essential to understand that every explorer should display the most recently created blocks, regardless of the method.

On the left, you will find tabs for accessing different types of data. While we will cover most of these in the next section, our current focus is on blocks, transactions, and the search bar. Looking at the list of Latest Blocks, you will see that the information is organized into columns labeled Height, Hash, Mined, Miner, and Size.

The "Height" refers to the block number, counting from the very first or "genesis" block. The "Hash" is a unique identifier for each block and must be resolved for the block to be mined.

When you click on the hash, you will access all the information about the block and every included transaction. The "Mined" column indicates how long ago the block was officially created, while the "Miner" column tracks the responsible party. Lastly, "Size" represents the block's size displayed in bytes.

When you click the "Transactions" tab on the left, you will see the most recent unconfirmed transactions. These transactions have been broadcast to the blockchain but have not yet been confirmed in a block. The displayed data columns include Hash, Time, and Amount in both BTC and USD. The Hash serves as a unique identifier for individual transactions, as opposed to being associated with an entire block.