Transactions per second (TPS)
The blockchain speedometer—measuring how many transactions can be processed every second.
What is TPS?
At its core, TPS is a throughput metric. Just like a checkout line processes customers, a blockchain processes transactions. The higher the TPS, the more users and applications a network can support without slowing down.
Why is TPS important for Polkadot?
Polkadot’s architecture is designed for speed and scalability. By processing transactions across multiple chains at once, rather than funneling everything through a single chain, Polkadot can scale horizontally.
In 2024, Polkadot conducted a large-scale real-world stress test known as The Spammening, reaching a theoretical maximum of 623K TPS.
With recent Polkadot 2.0 innovations, the addition of more cores in 2025, and the upcoming JAM (Join-Accumulate Machine) architecture, that number is expected to grow exponentially.
Benefits of high TPS
- Faster transactions for users
- Lower congestion and fees
- More room for complex dapps
- Scalable infrastructure for mass adoption
Related Terms
Scalability
The ability for the network to scale in capabilities (e.g., processing more transactions) when needed.
Throughput
The speed of a blockchain, measured by transactions per second—faster is better.
Polkadot 2.0
A new era for the network, making it faster, cheaper, and more scalable with three new tech features: Agile Coretime, Async Backing, and Elastic Scaling.
