Zcash (ZEC) Mining Calculator
Zcash uses the Equihash proof-of-work algorithm and is notable for its optional shielded transactions using zk-SNARKs (zero-knowledge proofs), providing strong privacy. ZEC follows Bitcoin's 4-year halving schedule — the most recent halving in November 2024 reduced the block reward to 1.5625 ZEC per block (3.125 ZEC total before the 80/20 founder's reward split).
Zcash (ZEC) Mining Calculator
Enter your mining hardware specs
Estimated Results
| Period | Coins Mined | Revenue | Power Cost | Net Profit |
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Electricity Shutdown Threshold
Maximum electricity cost at which each miner stays profitable, based on live network data.
| Hardware | Hashrate | Power | Shutdown $/kWh | Margin vs. yours |
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Thresholds calculated from live price & network difficulty. Values change with every market move.
Best Hardware for Zcash Mining
Zcash is best mined with Equihash ASICs. The Antminer Z15 Pro (840 KSol/s, 2,650W) and the older Antminer Z15 (420 KSol/s, 1,510W) are the primary hardware options. GPU mining Zcash is possible but far less efficient than ASIC mining — only viable if you already own the GPUs and have very cheap electricity.
About Zcash Mining
Zcash mining is dominated by dedicated Equihash ASICs, primarily from Bitmain. The 75-second block time and fixed supply schedule make ZEC mining economics predictable and comparable to Bitcoin's long-term structure.
Zcash Mining After the 2024 Halving
Zcash uses the Equihash (200,9) algorithm and is dominated by specialized ASICs such as the Antminer Z15 series. The November 2024 halving cut the block reward to 1.5625 ZEC on a roughly 75-second schedule, raising the efficiency bar much as Bitcoin's halvings do.
With rewards now lower, Zcash profitability is especially sensitive to ZEC price and electricity cost. Equihash ASICs are a niche, lower-volume market than SHA-256, so used-hardware pricing and availability strongly influence whether a Z15-class machine pays for itself.
Equihash, Shielded Transactions, and Demand
Zcash's defining feature is optional privacy through zk-SNARK "shielded" transactions, which let users prove a transaction is valid without revealing sender, receiver, or amount. Successive network upgrades have reduced the cost of shielded transactions, supporting organic usage that underpins fee revenue for miners.
The practical takeaway for miners is that Zcash is an ASIC coin: GPU mining of Equihash (200,9) is no longer competitive. Focus on Equihash ASIC efficiency (J/Sol) and cheap power to stay profitable.
Frequently Asked Questions — Zcash Mining
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All hardware →Francesco Zinghinì
Cryptocurrency analyst and technology writer with extensive experience covering blockchain, mining economics, and digital asset markets. Francesco also writes for blog.tuttosemplice.com.