InitialMaxAllowedValidators

Constant v101 → current u16

Limits validator count for new subnets.

Current Value

128
Relevant for: validatorssubnet ownersstakersdevelopers

The Big Picture

Not all neurons can be validators - there's a cap. This constant sets the initial limit for new subnets. Validators evaluate miners and drive emissions, so more validators means more diverse evaluation but also more computational overhead and potential for sybil validators. Subnet owners balance decentralization against efficiency.

Why This Matters

If you want to become a validator, know the limit. On subnets with MaxAllowedValidators of 64, only the top 64 by stake can validate. Others are miners only.

Example

With MaxAllowedValidators of 128 on a subnet with 1024 UIDs, only 128 can be validators. The other 896 are miners. Validators are typically selected by stake - top 128 stakers get validator status.

Common Questions

How do I become a validator?
Stake enough to be in the top MaxAllowedValidators. Check current validator stake thresholds and exceed them.
Can miners become validators later?
Yes, by increasing stake to enter the top tier. Validator selection is dynamic - it recomputes based on current stake distribution.

Use Cases

  • Validator selection
  • Subnet capacity

Code Examples

import { ApiPromise, WsProvider } from "@polkadot/api";
import { stringCamelCase } from "@polkadot/util";

const provider = new WsProvider("wss://entrypoint-finney.opentensor.ai:443");
const api = await ApiPromise.create({ provider });

// Query InitialMaxAllowedValidators constant
const value = api.consts[stringCamelCase("SubtensorModule")][stringCamelCase("InitialMaxAllowedValidators")];
console.log("InitialMaxAllowedValidators:", value.toHuman());

Type Information

Type
u16
Byte Size
2 bytes
Encoding
fixed
Raw Hex
0x8000

Runtime Info

Pallet
SubtensorModule
First Version
v101
Latest Version
v101
Current Runtime
v393