Satoshi
A satoshi (sat) is the smallest unit of bitcoin: 1 BTC = 100,000,000 satoshis. It is named after Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of bitcoin.
How it works
Bitcoin is divisible to eight decimal places. One hundred-millionth, 0.00000001 BTC, is one satoshi. It makes small amounts easier to read: instead of "0.00025 BTC" people say "25,000 sats".
Bitcoin network fees are usually quoted in satoshis per virtual byte (sat/vB). The higher the rate, the sooner miners include your transaction in a block. Sats are also used for small payments, tips and on the Lightning Network.
Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonym of the author of the bitcoin whitepaper (2008). Who that person or group really is remains unknown.
You buy $50 of BTC at $100,000 per coin. That is 0.0005 BTC, or 50,000 sats. At that price one satoshi is worth $0.001.
A transaction weighs 140 vB and the fee rate is 10 sat/vB. Fee = 1,400 sats = 0.000014 BTC, which is $1.40 at $100,000 per BTC.
Many people think bitcoin is "too expensive" and can only be bought whole. Not true: you can buy any fraction, even 10,000 sats. Do not jump into cheap coins just because you "get more of them"; the price of one coin says nothing about its value.
Questions and answers
What is a satoshi in simple terms?
It is bitcoin's "cent". One bitcoin is made of 100 million satoshis.
How many satoshis are in 1 bitcoin?
Exactly 100,000,000. So 1 satoshi = 0.00000001 BTC.
Can I buy less than one bitcoin?
Yes. Exchanges let you buy a small fraction, measured in BTC decimals or satoshis.
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Updated: 2026-10-19