Ethereum Blockchain Explorers

Blockchain explorers (also called block explorers) are a convenient way to learn what is going on on a blockchain. They display information in a user-friendly way about blocks and transactions. In the background, they run a full node that listens to the network and records all transactions and blocks. The information is provided on a website. Some services also provide an API for developers.

Users enter the block number, block hash, transaction hash, or Ethereum address in the search bar. The blockchain explorer then shows the requested information.

The following screenshot shows the user interface of Etherscan, one of the most popular blockchain explorers for Ethereum. It shows the execution information of the block.

You can also inspect transactions and see who sent what amount to where. Most block explorers provide additional information if smart contracts got executed. For example, they show what function has been called.

In the screenshots above, there was no information about the consensus layer. They can also be found on blockchain explorers. They provide information about slots, attestors, proposers, stakes, withdrawals, slashings, etc.