Glossary
Satoshi (sat)
16/04/2026
Satoshi (sat) is the smallest unit of Bitcoin. One satoshi equals 0.00000001 BTC — one hundred-millionth of a single bitcoin. The unit is named after Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Denominations
| Unit | Value in BTC |
|---|---|
| 1 BTC | 1.00000000 BTC |
| 1 mBTC (millibitcoin) | 0.001 BTC = 100,000 sats |
| 1 µBTC (microbitcoin / bit) | 0.000001 BTC = 100 sats |
| 1 satoshi (sat) | 0.00000001 BTC |
Why satoshis matter
All Bitcoin amounts are stored internally as integer numbers of satoshis — the network has no concept of fractional satoshis. This applies to balances, transaction outputs, and fees. Fee rates are commonly quoted in sats/vByte, and Lightning Network micropayments are often smaller than a single cent, making satoshis the natural unit.
As Bitcoin's price rises, stacking sats (small recurring BTC purchases) has become a popular framing for accumulating Bitcoin without needing to buy a whole coin.
