Transaction confirmation
A confirmation is each new block added to the chain after the block holding your transaction. The more confirmations, the lower the chance the transfer gets reversed.
How it works
While a transaction is in the mempool it has 0 confirmations. Once it is included in a block it has 1. Each block built on top adds another. Rewriting a transaction with 6 confirmations would mean rewriting all six blocks, which is extremely expensive.
Exchanges and services decide how many confirmations to wait for before crediting a deposit. For bitcoin they often require 1 to 6 (6 confirmations take about an hour); fast networks may require dozens of blocks, which still pass in minutes. The requirement depends on the network and the amount.
How fast you get the first confirmation depends on the fee: when the network is busy, low-fee transactions wait longer. If a transfer is "stuck", it almost always has 0 confirmations: the money is not lost, it just is not in a block yet.
You deposit BTC to an exchange that requires 3 confirmations. Your transaction lands in block 900,100. When the network reaches block 900,102 you have 3 confirmations and the deposit is credited, on average about 30 minutes after it entered a block.
A common mistake is panicking and sending the transfer again when a deposit does not show up right away. First look up the transaction hash in a block explorer: if it has fewer confirmations than the exchange needs, just wait. Sending again is a second transfer with a second fee.
Questions and answers
What is a transaction confirmation in simple terms?
It is the signal that your transfer is written into the blockchain. Every new block after it is one more confirmation and more certainty.
How many confirmations does bitcoin need?
It depends on the recipient. Many exchanges require 1 to 6, and 6 confirmations, about an hour, is traditionally seen as very safe.
Why is my transaction taking so long to confirm?
Usually the fee is too low for current network load. Some wallets let you speed it up by raising the fee.
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Updated: 2026-10-19