> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.near.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Epoch

> Learn about epochs in NEAR Protocol, including their duration, role in validator selection, and how they affect network operations and data retention.

This section explains the concept of an **epoch** in the NEAR Protocol, which is a unit of time when validators of the network remain constant. It describes how epochs are measured, their duration, and their significance in the network's operation.

An **epoch** is a unit of time when validators of the network remain constant. It is measured in blocks:

* Both `testnet` and `mainnet` have an epoch duration of 43,200 blocks. Ideally epochs last about 12 hours, since blocks are created every second (in reality, they take slightly longer to be created).
* You can view this setting by querying the **[`protocol_config`](/api/rpc/protocol#protocol-config)** RPC endpoint and searching for `epoch_length`.

**Note:** Nodes garbage collect blocks after 5 epochs (\~2.5 days) unless they are [archival nodes](https://near-nodes.io/intro/node-types#archival-node).

**Example:**

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="JSON">
    ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    {
      "jsonrpc": "2.0",
      "id": "dontcare",
      "method": "EXPERIMENTAL_protocol_config",
      "params": {
        "finality": "final"
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="HTTPie">
    ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    http post https://rpc.testnet.near.org jsonrpc=2.0 id=dontcare method=EXPERIMENTAL_protocol_config \
      params:='{
        "finality": "final"
      }'
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

**Example Response:**

```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "result": {
        "protocol_version": 44,
        "genesis_time": "2020-07-21T16:55:51.591948Z",
        "chain_id": "mainnet",
        "genesis_height": 9820210,
        "num_block_producer_seats": 100,
        "num_block_producer_seats_per_shard": [
            100
        ],
        "avg_hidden_validator_seats_per_shard": [
            0
        ],
        "dynamic_resharding": false,
        "protocol_upgrade_stake_threshold": [
            4,
            5
        ],
        "epoch_length": 43200,
        "gas_limit": 1000000000000000,
        "min_gas_price": "1000000000",
        "max_gas_price": "10000000000000000000000",
        "block_producer_kickout_threshold": 90,
        "chunk_producer_kickout_threshold": 90,

// ---- snip ----
}
```

You can learn more about how epochs are used to manage network validation in the [Validator FAQ](https://github.com/near/wiki/blob/master/Archive/validators/faq.md#what-is-an-epoch).

<Tip>
  **Got a question?**

  <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/nearprotocol" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Ask it on StackOverflow! </a>
</Tip>