# Root Subnet

The root subnet is netuid 0 — the coordinating subnet at the centre of Bittensor.

_Source: https://beta.taostats.io/docs/concepts/subnets/root-subnet_

_Last reviewed: 2026-09-23_

The **root subnet** is netuid 0 — the coordinating subnet at the centre of Bittensor. Staking to root delegates TAO to root validators, who earn dividends from every subnet they validate on.

## Key points

* Root uses **only TAO** — there is no alpha token and your root stake carries no subnet-pool price risk. Unclaimed rewards are held as subnet alpha in your validator's basket until you claim.
* Root staking is the "safe" option, but root's share of total emissions [decreases over time by design](https://beta.taostats.io/docs/concepts/how-emission-works/stakeholder-emissions-root-vs-alpha) as subnets mature.
* Under [Root Reborn](https://beta.taostats.io/docs/concepts/protocol-changes/root-reborn/explainer), root dividends are handled through [validator baskets](https://beta.taostats.io/docs/concepts/staking/root-validator-baskets) and redeemed with a manual `claim_root`.

## Related

* [Staking in dTao](https://beta.taostats.io/docs/concepts/staking/staking-in-dtao)
* [Root Validator Baskets](https://beta.taostats.io/docs/concepts/staking/root-validator-baskets)
* [Emissions: Root vs. Alpha Stake](https://beta.taostats.io/docs/concepts/how-emission-works/stakeholder-emissions-root-vs-alpha)