Lightning Network Channel Gini Coefficient
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About this metric
What it measures
The Lightning Network Channel Gini Coefficient measures how unevenly public channel counts are distributed across nodes. It applies the Gini calculation to each node's number of channels: the sum of absolute differences across all pairs of nodes divided by twice the number of nodes squared times the mean channel count. The result is a unitless coefficient on a 0–1 scale, with 0 representing equal channel counts and values closer to 1 greater inequality.
How to read it
A higher coefficient means channel connections are more concentrated among a small share of nodes; a lower or falling reading means channel counts are becoming more evenly distributed. In this series, the coefficient reached about 0.768 in February 2022 and was around 0.720 by October 2026, indicating less inequality in channel counts over that interval, though connections remained unevenly distributed.
This measures connections, not the BTC held in channels or the payments routed through them. Private channels are outside the public graph, and nodes joining, leaving or reorganizing channels can change the coefficient without changing payment demand. Several nodes may also belong to one operator, so a lower reading alone does not establish greater ownership decentralization or network resilience.
- Frequency
- Daily (UTC 00:00)
- Asset
- BTC
- Category
- Lightning Network
- Type
- Single value
- Data since
- 2021-10-19
- Latest data
- 2026-10-27
- Data points
- 1,829
FAQ
How does Channel Gini differ from Capacity Gini?
Channel Gini compares the number of channels attached to each node, giving a small channel the same weight as a large one. Capacity Gini instead compares the BTC capacity associated with nodes, so connections can become more evenly spread while capital remains concentrated.
Does a Channel Gini of 0.72 mean 72% of channels belong to one node?
No. It summarizes inequality across the entire distribution rather than the share held by any particular node. A value of 0 means every included node has the same channel count; values closer to 1 mean a more uneven distribution.
How far back does the Lightning Channel Gini chart go?
The first valid observation in this series is October 25, 2021, at about 0.766. Its recorded high was about 0.768 on February 14, 2022, so this chart does not cover the Lightning Network's earlier development.
