A subgraph is a developer-defined data pipeline and query API that indexes selected blockchain data into a structured schema. In The Graph ecosystem, its manifest identifies the network, contracts, and event handlers; mappings turn selected chain data into entities that clients can query with GraphQL.
The parts of a subgraph
A common subgraph project has a manifest, a GraphQL schema, and mapping code. The manifest states what to watch and how to process it; the schema defines the entities and fields the API exposes; mappings translate relevant blockchain events or calls into those entities. The resulting API reflects the developer’s chosen data model, not every fact on the chain.
A single The Graph subgraph can index multiple contracts on one network, but the official manifest documentation says it does not index multiple networks in one subgraph. A project that needs several networks generally needs separate deployments or another architecture.
Querying and data limits
Applications send GraphQL queries to a subgraph endpoint or Gateway. The response comes from the deployment that endpoint serves, so developers should confirm the subgraph identity, deployment version, network, and indexing progress before relying on a result.
Subgraphs make repeated structured queries easier than reconstructing every relationship from raw blocks, but they do not eliminate data-quality questions. A missing handler, incorrect mapping, stale index, or narrow schema can produce incomplete answers. They are also not a substitute for checking a transaction or state directly when a high-assurance decision depends on it.
Social Media Sentiment
An older r/thegraph developer thread asks how to identify the relevant contracts and data when building a subgraph; replies point toward community help and project examples. It captures a learning challenge from that discussion, not the current state of The Graph’s tools or services. an r/thegraph developer discussion
Last updated: 2026-10
Related Terms
See Also
- Does Ethereum TPS Include Layer 2 Transactions?
- Are Layer 2 Networks Actually Decentralized?
- What Are Zero-Knowledge Proofs?
- Exchange crypto with ChangeNOW
Sources
- The Graph subgraph manifest — The official guide explains how a manifest defines the network, contracts, event handlers, schema, and mappings.
- The Graph GraphQL API — The documentation describes read-only GraphQL queries against entities and fields defined by a subgraph schema.
- Serving queries through Gateways — The Gateway guide explains how query requests resolve a subgraph ID or deployment ID and are served by Indexers.