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I am aware that Satoshi Nakamoto is the author of the paper that originated Bitcoin and the creator of the original bitcoin client. However, I often hear the term Satoshi as if it was a monetary unit.

What is a Satoshi?

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2 Answers

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A Satoshi is the smallest fraction of a Bitcoin that can currently be sent: 0.00000001 BTC. In the future, however, the protocol may be updated to allow further subdivisions should they be needed.

Further examples of units

  • 1 BTC = 100,000,000 Satoshis
  • 1 BTC = 1000 mBTC (millibitcoin)
  • 1 mBTC = 100,000 Satoshis
  • 1 μBTC (microbitcoin) = 100 Satoshis
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Note that it's possible that future protocol versions will introduce amounts smaller than a Satoshi, if deemed required by the community. I'm not sure how likely this is. bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/122/… – ripper234 Aug 30 '11 at 23:02
@eMansipater It might be worth editing your answer just a touch to ensure that people don't think that there is a limit to the number of decimal places possible. – Gary Rowe Sep 9 '11 at 10:35
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It's Michael's answer, but I updated it anyway. – eMansipater Sep 10 '11 at 12:08
up vote 0 down vote

A Satoshi is a one hundred millionth of a Bitcion.

Bitcoins are delimited to eight decimal places so even if (when?) Bitcoins are worth $1,000,000 each, you can still do penny transactions.

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This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post - you can always comment on your own posts, and once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post. – Lohoris Mar 12 at 12:19

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