<p>As the comments mention this value is likely to change over time. 
Since Stephen Gornick's answer in May 2012 the highest recorded difficulty is:</p>

<p><strong>3,415,121.18552938</strong></p>

<p>At the time of writing (24th November 2012) this is the current difficulty and the difficulty is expected to increase again in ~257 blocks.</p>

<p>The current difficulty can be checked at this <a href="http://blockexplorer.com/q/getdifficulty" rel="nofollow">link</a> and the estimate of the next re-target <a href="http://blockexplorer.com/q/estimate" rel="nofollow">here</a> (this estimate is often wildly incorrect just after a difficulty re-target, i.e. when there are only the first few of the 2016 blocks of the current difficulty period that can be used to calculate the estimate).</p>

<p>Historical hash rates and difficulties can be seen in these <a href="http://bitcoin.sipa.be/" rel="nofollow">graphs</a> </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-24T19:52:20.907Z
2012-11-24T19:52:20.907Z
kirian
<p>As at 9th May 2012, the highest recorded difficult has been:</p>

<p><strong>1,888,786.705353</strong> first reached August 01, 2011.</p>

<p>Blocks 139,104 through 141,119:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://blockexplorer.com/b/139104" rel="nofollow">http://blockexplorer.com/b/139104</a></li>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmcTCtjBoRWUdHVRMHpqWUJValI1RlZiaEtCT1RrQmc#gid=0" rel="nofollow">Bitcoin Difficulty History</a></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-05-05T21:52:02.987Z
2012-11-24T20:33:58.963Z
2012-11-24T20:33:58.963Z
Stephen Gornick
<p>What is the highest recorded difficulty in the main net and which blocks was it used for?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-05-09T08:37:15.087Z
It's worth noting that the answer to this will likely change over time. Maybe the question should be rephrased to be as at a particular date? Otherwise, we can just keep editing the answer (but SE's not really set up for that... it's not like we'll get a reminder to do it)
Highly Irregular
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-05-09T10:33:47.340Z
@HighlyIrregular The answer to this question does state a date it was checked. In the future it can be edited accordingly.
ThePiachu
<blockchain><difficulty><history><charts>
What is the highest recorded difficulty in the main net?
ThePiachu
# What is the highest recorded difficulty in the main net?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-05-05)

What is the highest recorded difficulty in the main net and which blocks was it used for?

**Tags:** blockchain, difficulty, history, charts

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It's worth noting that the answer to this will likely change over time. Maybe the question should be rephrased to be as at a particular date? Otherwise, we can just keep editing the answer (but SE's not really set up for that... it's not like we'll get a reminder to do it)  
> **username_0**: @username_1 The answer to this question does state a date it was checked. In the future it can be edited accordingly.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-05-05. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

As at 9th May 2012, the highest recorded difficult has been:

**1,888,786.705353** first reached August 01, 2011.

Blocks 139,104 through 141,119:

* <http://blockexplorer.com/b/139104>
* [Bitcoin Difficulty History](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmcTCtjBoRWUdHVRMHpqWUJValI1RlZiaEtCT1RrQmc#gid=0)


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### Answer by username_2 on 2012-11-24. Score: 2

As the comments mention this value is likely to change over time.
Since username_3 username_3's answer in May 2012 the highest recorded difficulty is:

**3,415,121.18552938**

At the time of writing (24th November 2012) this is the current difficulty and the difficulty is expected to increase again in ~257 blocks.

The current difficulty can be checked at this [link](http://blockexplorer.com/q/getdifficulty) and the estimate of the next re-target [here](http://blockexplorer.com/q/estimate) (this estimate is often wildly incorrect just after a difficulty re-target, i.e. when there are only the first few of the 2016 blocks of the current difficulty period that can be used to calculate the estimate).

Historical hash rates and difficulties can be seen in these [graphs](http://bitcoin.sipa.be/)


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