user38977: When I see the block info on blockchain, I see that there is a field named "nonce", I could not find any relevant information on web regarding what a nonce is. Please explain what a nonce is what is the purpose of it.

user21331: Nonce is a 32 bit arbitrary random number that is typically used once. In Bitcoin's mining process, the goal is to find a hash below a target number which is calculated based on the difficulty. 
Proof of work in Bitcoin's mining takes an input consists of Merkle Root, timestamp, previous block hash and few other things plus a nonce which is completely random number. If the output results in hash is smaller than the target hash you win the block and the consensus is reached. 
You need to brute force all possible nonce in order to luckily find a hash smaller than the target hash. It could literally be any number between 0 and 2^31

38977: <p>When I see the block info on <a href="http://www.blockchain.info" rel="noreferrer">blockchain</a>, I see that there is a field named "nonce", I could not find any relevant information on web regarding what a nonce is. Please explain what a nonce is what is the purpose of it.</p>
 21331: <p><a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Nonce" rel="noreferrer">Nonce</a> is a 32 bit arbitrary random number that is typically used once. In Bitcoin's mining process, the goal is to find a hash below a target number which is calculated based on the difficulty. <br />
Proof of work in Bitcoin's mining takes an input consists of Merkle Root, timestamp, previous block hash and few other things plus a nonce which is completely random number. If the output results in hash is smaller than the target hash you win the block and the consensus is reached. <br />
You need to brute force all possible nonce in order to luckily find a hash smaller than the target hash. It could literally be any number between 0 and 2^31</p>
