Solana reduces block confirmation times to 350 milliseconds

Solana speeds up block confirmations to 350 milliseconds

Solana, a blockchain network known for fast transactions, has reduced its block confirmation target from 400 milliseconds (ms) to 350 ms. This change is part of a plan to eventually reach sub-second speeds, meaning blocks could be confirmed in less than one second.

The update took effect at the start of epoch 1020, a fixed period in Solana’s schedule. A feature gate—a tool validators use to coordinate changes—activated the new timing. Validators are computers that help run the Solana network.

In the first full epoch after the change (epoch 1021), the average time between blocks was 365.4 ms, down from 420.7 ms in an earlier epoch. The network also skipped fewer blocks, with a skip rate of 0.077%, compared to 0.438% before the change.

What the faster block times mean

• Solana’s block confirmation target is now 350 ms, down from 400 ms.
• The average block spacing in epoch 1021 was 365.4 ms, with a skip rate of 0.077%.
• The change shortens the time for confirmation thresholds measured in slots (block production windows).
• Each block now carries a smaller processing budget, but the network’s overall capacity per second remains roughly the same.
• The next target is 300 ms, but it has not yet been activated.

How Solana implemented the change

The Solana Foundation confirmed the update after the feature gate activated at slot 440,208,000, the first slot of epoch 1019. A slot is the time window in which a validator can produce a block. The change followed a one-epoch delay, as required by a proposal called SIMD-0525.

The network’s roadmap includes further reductions to 300 ms, 250 ms, and eventually 200 ms. Each step requires validators to adjust timing and limits together. The 300 ms stage was expected to activate around August 28, but it remained pending as of August 26.

Solana’s plan allows for pauses between stages if skipped-block rates increase. The current 350 ms stage serves as a test to see how much the network can tighten timing before moving to the next target.

What is confirmed

• The Solana network’s block confirmation target is now 350 ms, down from 400 ms.
• The change took effect at the start of epoch 1020, following a feature gate activation.
• In epoch 1021, the average block spacing was 365.4 ms, with a skip rate of 0.077%.
• The network’s roadmap includes future reductions to 300 ms, 250 ms, and 200 ms.
• The 300 ms stage was pending as of August 26.

What is still unclear

• Whether the lower skip rate in epoch 1021 was directly caused by the timing change or other factors.
• The exact timeline for activating the 300 ms stage, as it depends on network stability.
• How future reductions will affect skipped-block rates and overall network performance.

Why faster block times matter for users

Faster block confirmation times can improve the speed of transactions on Solana. While the overall capacity of the network remains similar, shorter block times may reduce the waiting period for users to see their transactions confirmed. This could make the network more responsive for applications like payments or trading.

The change also narrows the window during which a single block producer controls the network, which may influence how transactions are processed.

Sources

• CryptoSlate