trace_block

The trace_block method returns traces for all transactions in a block using the Parity/OpenEthereum tracing format. This method provides detailed execution traces for every transaction in the specified block, including internal calls, value transfers, contract creations, and state changes.

This method is particularly useful for blockchain analytics, transaction tracking, and understanding complex multi-contract interactions. It offers a different trace format compared to the debug methods, using the Parity trace format which provides a flattened view of all actions in the block. Developers building block explorers, MEV tools, or analytics platforms can use this to analyze all value flows, internal contract calls, and state changes within a block in a consistent format.

This method is available only on the full archive node.

Parameters

parameter	type	description
blockParameter	string (required)	Block number in hex format (e.g., '0x10d4f') or one of the string tags: 'latest' for the most recent block, 'earliest' for the genesis block, or 'pending' for pending state/transactions

Return Object

The method returns an array of trace objects for all transactions and internal calls in the block:

result - array: An array of trace objects, where each trace represents a single action (call, create, selfdestruct, or reward). Each trace object contains:

action - object: The action being performed with fields depending on the action type:

For calls: callType (call/delegatecall/staticcall), from, to, gas, input, value

For creates: from, gas, init, value

For selfdestructs: address, refundAddress, balance

result - object: The result of the action (null for failed actions) containing:

For calls: gasUsed, output

For creates: gasUsed, code, address

subtraces - number: The number of child traces (internal calls) this action spawned

traceAddress - array: Array of integers indicating the position of this trace in the call tree

type - string: The type of action (call, create, suicide, reward)

blockHash - string: Hash of the block containing this trace

blockNumber - number: Number of the block containing this trace

transactionHash - string: Hash of the transaction that generated this trace

transactionPosition - number: Position of the transaction in the block

error - string: Error message if the action failed

Request Example

Request

Response Example

Response