The short answer: It takes about 10 minutes to mine 1 bitcoin. But for most miners, it’s not that simple.

Bitcoin mining is highly competitive. A new block is mined every 10 minutes, and each block currently rewards miners with 3.125 BTC (as of 2024). However, this reward is split among thousands of miners worldwide. Unless you control a huge mining operation, you won’t be mining a whole Bitcoin by yourself in just 10 minutes.

So, how long does it really take to mine 1 BTC? That depends on several factors, including your mining hardware, electricity costs, and whether you mine alone or in a pool. Let’s break it down.

How Bitcoin Mining Works

Bitcoin mining keeps the network running. Miners use powerful computers to solve tough math problems. When they succeed, they add a new block to the blockchain.

Each block holds a bunch of transactions. The miner who solves the puzzle first gets a reward. Right now, that reward is new bitcoins plus transaction fees.

It’s a race. The faster your machine, the better your chances. But with thousands of miners competing, winning isn’t easy.

Block Time and Rewards

A new block is added to the Bitcoin blockchain approximately every 10 minutes. As of February 2025, each block yields a reward of 3.125 bitcoins. This means that, theoretically, 3.125 bitcoins are created every 10 minutes. 

However, this doesn’t imply that an individual miner can obtain a whole bitcoin within this timeframe. The reward is typically distributed among many miners, especially those in mining pools.

What Affects Mining Time?

Several factors determine how long it actually takes.

Hash Rate

Hash rate measures the speed and power of a mining machine. It tells how many calculations the miner can make per second to solve Bitcoin’s cryptographic puzzle. A higher hash rate increases the chances of mining a block and earning rewards.

Today’s most powerful mining machines, like the Antminer S19 Pro, can reach around 110 terahashes per second (TH/s). That means they attempt 110 trillion calculations per second. 

While this sounds massive, it’s still a small fraction of the total network power. Bitcoin’s mining network is made up of thousands of miners worldwide, all competing to solve the same problem. The more miners there are, the harder it becomes for any single machine to succeed.

Network Difficulty

Bitcoin is designed to mine a new block every 10 minutes, no matter how many miners are working. To maintain this pace, the network adjusts the difficulty level about every two weeks.

When more miners join, competition increases, and the difficulty rises. This means that even with a strong mining rig, mining gets harder over time. If miners leave the network, difficulty drops, making it easier for those who remain. This self-adjusting system keeps the network stable.

In the early days, mining was easy. A simple home computer could mine Bitcoin. But as more people got involved, difficulty increased, and mining became a specialized industry. Now, industrial-scale mining farms with thousands of machines dominate the competition.

Mining Alone vs. Joining a Pool

There are two ways to mine Bitcoin: solo mining or pool mining. Solo mining means working alone. If a miner successfully mines a block, they get the full reward of 3.125 BTC. But with so much competition, the odds of solving a block alone are incredibly low. A single miner could run their machine for years without earning anything.

Mining pools solve this problem. In a pool, many miners combine their computing power. If the pool successfully mines a block, the reward is split based on how much power each miner contributed. This method provides more frequent, smaller payouts instead of waiting years for a big one.

Most miners today join pools rather than mining alone. It’s more predictable and reduces the risk of never mining a block. 

How Much Does Bitcoin Mining Cost?

The Investment in Bitcoin Mining

Mining is more than just time; it’s an investment with long-term potential. One of the biggest factors is electricity costs, as mining machines run 24/7 to secure the network and generate rewards.

Several studies highlight the challenges and economics of Bitcoin mining. A 2023 review of 50 academic papers found that electricity costs are the biggest factor in determining mining profitability. Without access to low-cost or renewable energy, mining can become too expensive to sustain.

When looking at specific hardware, research on the Bitmain S21 Pro (234 TH/s) shows that it consumes about 3,600 watts of power. At $0.10 per kilowatt-hour, running this machine costs about $8.64 per day or $259 per month. Daily earnings vary, but with Bitcoin at current market rates, estimated mining revenue is around $12.03 daily, leaving a daily profit of $3.61.

Bitcoin’s price fluctuations, mining difficulty, and energy expenses all impact how long it takes to mine one full bitcoin. Miners who optimize costs, use efficient hardware, and leverage mining pools tend to have better long-term success.

New Mining Technology

Mining hardware is always improving. Companies are looking for ways to make mining faster and cheaper.

One example is Quantum Blockchain Technologies. They claim to have an AI-based system that can reduce electricity costs or speed up mining by 30%. If true, this could be a big breakthrough. However, as of 2025, these claims are still unproven. Most miners are waiting to see if the technology actually works before making changes.

The Environmental Debate

Bitcoin mining uses a massive amount of energy. A study from 2017 to 2025 estimated that Bitcoin mining made up a significant portion of global electricity use.

This has sparked debates about its impact on the environment. Some argue that Bitcoin mining wastes energy. Others say it encourages innovation in renewable energy. Some mining farms already use solar, wind, or hydroelectric power to lower their carbon footprint.

As mining continues to grow, the pressure to use cleaner energy will likely increase. Governments and environmental groups are pushing for regulations, but for now, Bitcoin mining remains a power-hungry industry.

Final Thoughts

Mining one bitcoin takes time, money, and the right equipment. Every 10 minutes, 3.125 bitcoins are created, but they are shared among thousands of miners worldwide. How much a miner earns depends on their hardware, network competition, and electricity costs.

For solo miners, getting a full Bitcoin can take years. Even those in mining pools only earn small portions at a time. As mining gets harder, staying profitable means constantly upgrading equipment and managing costs.

Want a hassle-free way to mine Bitcoin? We offerd a full-service solution with renewable energy-powered mining. They handle everything: equipment, setup, and maintenance, so you can start earning without the technical headaches.