Glossary · N
Nonce
A sequentially incrementing integer assigned to each transaction sent from an Ethereum address. The nonce ensures transactions are processed in the correct order — a transaction with nonce 5 cannot be processed before nonce 4. If you submit a transaction with a higher gas price and the same nonce as a stuck transaction, you can replace the stuck transaction (known as a 'speed up' or 'cancel' in wallet interfaces).
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How Nonce works in practice
A nonce is a per-account counter ensuring transactions execute in order and only once. Each transaction from an address must use the next sequential number, which is what prevents replay and enforces ordering.
Worked example
If a transaction with nonce 42 is stuck pending, nothing with nonce 43 or higher can execute. Replacing the stuck one — same nonce, higher fee — is what unblocks the queue.
Figures are illustrative and chosen to be checkable, not live market data.
The mistake that costs people money
A single stuck transaction blocks every later one from the same address. The fix is to resubmit with the same nonce and a higher fee, not to send another transaction and hope.
Nonce: common questions
- What is Nonce?
- A sequentially incrementing integer assigned to each transaction sent from an Ethereum address. The nonce ensures transactions are processed in the correct order — a transaction with nonce 5 cannot be processed before nonce 4. If you submit a transaction with a higher gas price and the same nonce as a stuck transaction, you can replace the stuck transaction (known as a 'speed up' or 'cancel' in wallet interfaces).
- How does Nonce work in practice?
- A nonce is a per-account counter ensuring transactions execute in order and only once. Each transaction from an address must use the next sequential number, which is what prevents replay and enforces ordering.
- Can you give an example of Nonce?
- If a transaction with nonce 42 is stuck pending, nothing with nonce 43 or higher can execute. Replacing the stuck one — same nonce, higher fee — is what unblocks the queue.
- What do people get wrong about Nonce?
- A single stuck transaction blocks every later one from the same address. The fix is to resubmit with the same nonce and a higher fee, not to send another transaction and hope.