<p>The <code>capacity</code> of a channel is the number of satoshis that are stored in the payment channel. They are split between the two channel partners and offered <code>htlcs</code>. No payment larger than the capacity can ever go through that channel.</p>
<p>The <code>max_htlc</code> is the number of concurrent offered <code>htlcs</code> that are possible in the channel. They are limited because most <code>htlcs</code> are outputs in the commitment transaction and cost a fee paid to the miners in case the channel has to be force closed.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-02T16:53:11.717Z
2021-12-02T16:53:11.717Z
Rene Pickhardt
<p>What is the difference between <em>capacity</em> and <em>max_htlc</em> in the routing of payments in the network?</p>

<lightning-network><lightning-routing><hash-time-locked-contract><transaction-capacity>
Difference between capacity and max_htlc in Lightning Network?
Jack
# Difference between capacity and max_htlc in Lightning Network?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-12-02)

What is the difference between *capacity* and *max\_htlc* in the routing of payments in the network?

**Tags:** lightning-network, lightning-routing, hash-time-locked-contract, transaction-capacity


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-12-02. Score: 1

The `capacity` of a channel is the number of satoshis that are stored in the payment channel. They are split between the two channel partners and offered `htlcs`. No payment larger than the capacity can ever go through that channel.

The `max_htlc` is the number of concurrent offered `htlcs` that are possible in the channel. They are limited because most `htlcs` are outputs in the commitment transaction and cost a fee paid to the miners in case the channel has to be force closed.


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