Total supply is the number of cryptocurrency tokens that currently exist, including tokens that are locked, staked, reserved by the team, or otherwise not freely circulating on the market. It is the sum of circulating supply plus all non-circulating tokens.
Total Supply vs Other Metrics
Circulating Supply: Only tokens currently available and trading on the market.
Total Supply: All tokens that exist right now (circulating + locked/reserved).
Max Supply: The absolute maximum tokens that will ever exist (if applicable).
Why It Matters
The gap between circulating supply and total supply indicates how much potential selling pressure exists from token unlocks. A project with 100 million circulating tokens out of 1 billion total supply means 900 million tokens could enter the market over time, diluting existing holders.
Example
A new project might have: Max Supply = 1 billion, Total Supply = 500 million (rest not yet minted), Circulating Supply = 100 million (400 million locked in vesting). Understanding all three numbers is essential for evaluating the investment.