Glossary · Z
zkEVM
A zero-knowledge rollup that is Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible — able to execute and prove Ethereum smart contracts using zero-knowledge proofs. zkEVMs combine the EVM's smart contract compatibility with zkRollup security and efficiency. Building a zkEVM is technically more complex than an optimistic rollup, but eliminates the 7-day challenge period, enabling faster withdrawals to Ethereum mainnet. Polygon zkEVM, zkSync Era, Scroll, and Linea are the leading zkEVM implementations.
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How zkEVM works in practice
A zkEVM is a zk-rollup that runs Ethereum bytecode, so existing contracts and tooling work without rewriting. Implementations trade off how exactly they match the EVM against how cheaply they can be proved.
Worked example
A contract deployed on Ethereum can be redeployed on a zkEVM largely unchanged, keeping the same tooling and audits, while transactions cost a fraction of L1.
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The mistake that costs people money
Equivalence is a spectrum. Some zkEVMs match Ethereum at bytecode level, others at a higher level with differences in gas accounting or opcode support — differences that can change how an audited contract behaves.
zkEVM: common questions
- What is zkEVM?
- A zero-knowledge rollup that is Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible — able to execute and prove Ethereum smart contracts using zero-knowledge proofs. zkEVMs combine the EVM's smart contract compatibility with zkRollup security and efficiency. Building a zkEVM is technically more complex than an optimistic rollup, but eliminates the 7-day challenge period, enabling faster withdrawals to Ethereum mainnet. Polygon zkEVM, zkSync Era, Scroll, and Linea are the leading zkEVM implementations.
- How does zkEVM work in practice?
- A zkEVM is a zk-rollup that runs Ethereum bytecode, so existing contracts and tooling work without rewriting. Implementations trade off how exactly they match the EVM against how cheaply they can be proved.
- Can you give an example of zkEVM?
- A contract deployed on Ethereum can be redeployed on a zkEVM largely unchanged, keeping the same tooling and audits, while transactions cost a fraction of L1.
- What do people get wrong about zkEVM?
- Equivalence is a spectrum. Some zkEVMs match Ethereum at bytecode level, others at a higher level with differences in gas accounting or opcode support — differences that can change how an audited contract behaves.