> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.getblock.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.getblock.io/api-reference/polkadot-dot/substrate-api-sidecar-assethub-+-relaychain/blocks_head.md).

# /blocks/head - Polkadot

Example code for the /blocks/head REST method. Complete guide on how to use /blocks/head REST in GetBlock Web3 documentation.

This endpoint returns the most recent block, including its extrinsics, events grouped by phase, and author. The finalized head can be requested with the finalized query parameter.

{% hint style="info" %}
On GetBlock's unified endpoint, Asset Hub is the default network. To call this endpoint against the Relaychain, add an `/rc` prefix to the path (for example, `/rc/blocks/head`).
{% endhint %}

## Endpoint

```http
GET /blocks/head
```

## Query Parameters

| Parameter     | Type    | Required | Description                                                 |
| ------------- | ------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| finalized     | boolean | No       | Return the latest finalized block instead of the best block |
| eventDocs     | boolean | No       | Include event documentation                                 |
| extrinsicDocs | boolean | No       | Include extrinsic documentation                             |

## Request

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="cURL" %}
{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
curl --location 'https://shared.eu-central-1.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/blocks/head'
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="JavaScript" %}
{% code title="example.js" %}

```javascript
const response = await fetch('https://shared.eu-central-1.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/blocks/head');
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Python" %}
{% code title="example.py" %}

```python
import requests

response = requests.get('https://shared.eu-central-1.getblock.io/<ACCESS-TOKEN>/blocks/head')
print(response.json())
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Response

```json
{
  "number": "6754362",
  "hash": "0x255bc00927df8d33d561792635cbc6bde480a0a505eef5ff28630ece3fc15b32",
  "parentHash": "0x570e3f417a41646d9b978bf2ac3d68be48bb0f73082825f438af58a37cfe0ef8",
  "stateRoot": "0x176c67eca385c24403ba774550ff75dcfa652d6d6cf2d2ecbccf56e513db601c",
  "extrinsicsRoot": "0xada254ef8321e28a6667ad75659be6464944174bd5540667da94590a0a4a596f",
  "authorId": "15oF4uVJwmo4TdGW7VfQxNLavjCXviqxT9S1MgbjMNHr6Sp5",
  "extrinsics": [],
  "onInitialize": {
    "events": []
  },
  "onFinalize": {
    "events": []
  },
  "finalized": true
}
```

## Response Fields

| Field      | Type    | Description                          |
| ---------- | ------- | ------------------------------------ |
| number     | string  | Block number                         |
| hash       | string  | Block hash                           |
| authorId   | string  | Block author (validator)             |
| extrinsics | array   | Decoded extrinsics with their events |
| finalized  | boolean | Whether the block is finalized       |

## Use Cases

* **Block Explorers**: Render the latest block with decoded extrinsics
* **Indexing**: Ingest blocks without decoding SCALE manually
* **Event Monitoring**: Watch events emitted per block
* **Finality Tracking**: Follow the finalized head