<p>A 'full node' is a participant on the network that has independently validated the complete copy of the blockchain, and thus has verified all transactions since the beginning.  This requires about 350GB of drive space (currently).</p>
<p>A pruning node is one that has verified all prior transactions; however, it has deleted all blocks below a certain space requirement, but still has a copy of the UXTO set.  It's less useful to the community, but is useful to the node's owner, and takes less resources on the computer (can be under 1GB of drive space).</p>
<p>A miner on the other hand creates blocks in the blockchain which the nodes keep.  Basically, the miner adds transactions to a block, with the goal of creating a new block with a valid hash that will be accepted by the network.    Miners spend about 10 minutes working on a problem, but nodes keep that result forever after in the database and verify it with others.  Miners don't need to know about prior blocks (except for the prior one) with very few exceptions.</p>
<p>So, a miner is completely different than a full node.  It's not comparing the same like things.  Full vs Light is comparing two like things - fruit (apple and orange).  Miner vs FullNode is comparing two totally different things (apple and fence).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-18T20:32:51.477Z
"the miner works on transactions by coming up with the best combination (hash) to store that information." - this is not really how mining works, it is not like compression
meshcollider
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-19T21:42:30.480Z
Some nits: Full nodes don't necessarily have a complete copy of the blockchain. As Pruned nodes, archival nodes are a subset of full nodes. See [What is the meaning of the term “full-node”?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/48436/5406) for a comprehensive description. Pruned nodes are not useless to the network, they serve transactions and new blocks, however since they don't advertise `NODE_NETWORK`, peers will not request older blocks from them: [What do pruning nodes contribute to the network?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/42287/5406). BIP159 proposes `NODE_NETWORK_LIMITED`.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-25T23:42:27.053Z
@Michail Wilson you use the term "Light node" in your answer but never defined it...?
Howiecamp
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-21T07:37:32.290Z
So what is the incentive (make money) of a full node? If it's not mining?
Juan P. Ortiz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-11-18T19:15:04.740Z
2021-03-03T06:51:56.123Z
2021-03-03T06:51:56.123Z
Michail Wilson
<p>Ok after reading the comments I still didn't find a valid answer to the initial question. A (full) node contains the whole block chain. With this knowledge this node can check if new transactions actually are OK. Although not strictly necessary, a miner is a full node(so with complete knowledge of the block chain) which additionally creates new blocks compared to just nodes than only validate information. This hazel has been long time in my head and no sourse was available to clarify than until i read the comment of carsten_ger in the following link: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/BitcoinBeginners/comments/2rpmyl/what_is_the_difference_between_running_a_node_and/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.reddit.com/r/BitcoinBeginners/comments/2rpmyl/what_is_the_difference_between_running_a_node_and/</a>
Hope that helps.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-10T17:54:42.297Z
2018-10-10T17:54:42.297Z
Kris Feri
<p>The nodes are the network, they store block chain data and provide consensus as to the accuracy of said data while incorporating security and literally facilitating the transaction. The blockchain resides on nodes all over the world to remain decentralized.</p>

<p>The miner verifies that transaction but more importantly creates the actual currency [BTC] which seems like a relevant point lol!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-13T18:08:50.310Z
2019-11-13T18:08:50.310Z
fully cloaked
<p>The difference between full-node and pool-/mining-node is the same as between bald and hairy man. Bald has zero hairs. Full-node has zero hashrate.</p>

<p>For me - there is no difference. Both bald and hairy are humans.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-07T04:34:12.607Z
Doesn't it make a huge difference in who controls the network? In other words, miners can not do anything with at least 50 % of full nodes agreeing on a block from the miner, but full nodes can accept blocks from each and every miner? I think that is a huge difference, even if anybody is a "computer".
Joe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-18T21:20:52.210Z
Whoops, I believe I accidentally downvoted @amacilin's comment.  That was not intentional.
arubi
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-06T22:02:15.733Z
2017-09-06T22:02:15.733Z
amaclin
<p>I have trouble finding the difference between a full node and a miner. It looks like these two names are used interchangeably which I think is not entirely correct. Miners do process blocks and full nodes verify if transactions which has been packed in the block by miners are all valid. Some can run a full node without running the mining software.</p>

<p>I know a lot of people who think that miners and full nodes are one and the same. </p>

<p>Thank you for your help. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-06T14:52:41.907Z
Yes, miners and full nodes are different, but it seems you answered your own question. What do you want to ask?
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-06T19:39:44.547Z
I just wanted to make sure that my "answer" was correct - thanks for confirming.
Joe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-19T21:24:27.750Z
Related: [What is the meaning of the term “full-node”?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/48436/5406)
Murch
<terminology><full-node>
What is the difference between a miner and a full node?
Joe
# What is the difference between a miner and a full node?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-06)

I have trouble finding the difference between a full node and a miner. It looks like these two names are used interchangeably which I think is not entirely correct. Miners do process blocks and full nodes verify if transactions which has been packed in the block by miners are all valid. Some can run a full node without running the mining software.

I know a lot of people who think that miners and full nodes are one and the same.

Thank you for your help.

**Tags:** terminology, full-node

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Yes, miners and full nodes are different, but it seems you answered your own question. What do you want to ask?  
> **username_0**: I just wanted to make sure that my "answer" was correct - thanks for confirming.  
> **username_2**: Related: [What is the meaning of the term “full-node”?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/48436/5406)  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-11-18. Score: 16

A 'full node' is a participant on the network that has independently validated the complete copy of the blockchain, and thus has verified all transactions since the beginning. This requires about 350GB of drive space (currently).

A pruning node is one that has verified all prior transactions; however, it has deleted all blocks below a certain space requirement, but still has a copy of the UXTO set. It's less useful to the community, but is useful to the node's owner, and takes less resources on the computer (can be under 1GB of drive space).

A miner on the other hand creates blocks in the blockchain which the nodes keep. Basically, the miner adds transactions to a block, with the goal of creating a new block with a valid hash that will be accepted by the network. Miners spend about 10 minutes working on a problem, but nodes keep that result forever after in the database and verify it with others. Miners don't need to know about prior blocks (except for the prior one) with very few exceptions.

So, a miner is completely different than a full node. It's not comparing the same like things. Full vs Light is comparing two like things - fruit (apple and orange). Miner vs FullNode is comparing two totally different things (apple and fence).

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: "the miner works on transactions by coming up with the best combination (hash) to store that information." - this is not really how mining works, it is not like compression  
> **username_2**: Some nits: Full nodes don't necessarily have a complete copy of the blockchain. As Pruned nodes, archival nodes are a subset of full nodes. See [What is the meaning of the term “full-node”?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/48436/5406) for a comprehensive description. Pruned nodes are not useless to the network, they serve transactions and new blocks, however since they don't advertise `NODE_NETWORK`, peers will not request older blocks from them: [What do pruning nodes contribute to the network?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/42287/5406). BIP159 proposes `NODE_NETWORK_LIMITED`.  
> **username_5**: @username_3 you use the term "Light node" in your answer but never defined it...?  
> **username_6**: So what is the incentive (make money) of a full node? If it's not mining?  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2018-10-10. Score: 3

Ok after reading the comments I still didn't find a valid answer to the initial question. A (full) node contains the whole block chain. With this knowledge this node can check if new transactions actually are OK. Although not strictly necessary, a miner is a full node(so with complete knowledge of the block chain) which additionally creates new blocks compared to just nodes than only validate information. This hazel has been long time in my head and no sourse was available to clarify than until i read the comment of carsten\_ger in the following link: <https://www.reddit.com/r/BitcoinBeginners/comments/2rpmyl/what_is_the_difference_between_running_a_node_and/>
Hope that helps.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2019-11-13. Score: 0

The nodes are the network, they store block chain data and provide consensus as to the accuracy of said data while incorporating security and literally facilitating the transaction. The blockchain resides on nodes all over the world to remain decentralized.

The miner verifies that transaction but more importantly creates the actual currency [BTC] which seems like a relevant point lol!


---

### Answer by username_9 on 2017-09-06. Score: -1

The difference between full-node and pool-/mining-node is the same as between bald and hairy man. Bald has zero hairs. Full-node has zero hashrate.

For me - there is no difference. Both bald and hairy are humans.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Doesn't it make a huge difference in who controls the network? In other words, miners can not do anything with at least 50 % of full nodes agreeing on a block from the miner, but full nodes can accept blocks from each and every miner? I think that is a huge difference, even if anybody is a "computer".  
> **username_10**: Whoops, I believe I accidentally downvoted @amacilin's comment.  That was not intentional.  

---

