Goerli

Goerli is a public Ethereum test network used by developers to test smart contracts, transactions, and deployments in an environment that mirrors mainnet behavior without the use of real value. It enables experimentation with new features, dApps, and tooling before deploying to the production network.

Goerli is a cross-client testnet, meaning multiple Ethereum client implementations operate on it. It uses a Proof-of-Authority style consensus with a fixed set of validators coordinated by the Goerli Alliance, which helps provide fast block times and predictable finality. Validators run software from a range of clients, including Geth, OpenEthereum, Besu, Nethermind, and Erigon, among others, promoting interoperability.

The network’s native test token is Goerli ETH, which has no monetary value and exists solely for testing. Goerli ETH can be obtained through public faucets that distribute small amounts to developers and researchers. To interact with the network, users can run their own node or connect via public RPC endpoints offered by providers, and use development tools like MetaMask, Hardhat, and Foundry to deploy and test contracts.

Goerli was established in 2019 as a multi-client testnet to reduce fragmentation of earlier testnets and to provide a stable environment for testing network upgrades and tooling. It remains active and widely used for development and validation purposes. Goerli coexists with other Ethereum testnets such as Ropsten, Rinkeby, and Kovan, though its cross-client design is a common reason for its preference in many projects.