# How To Interpret Values, Units, And Dates

The same numeric field name, `value`, is used across flat exports, but the unit behind `value` depends on the metric. You should always read `value` together with the endpoint, the `metric_key`, and the unit metadata from `master.json.metrics`.

## Key Facts

* `value` is numeric but not self-describing
* `date` is a daily string in flat exports
* Rich endpoints often use `unix` timestamps in milliseconds
* Currency metrics usually expose both USD and ETH `metric_key` values

## Common Unit Patterns

| Metric family  | Example                     | Unit pattern                    |
| -------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Count          | `txcount`, `daa`            | Plain numeric value             |
| USD / ETH pair | `fees`, `tvl`, `market_cap` | Separate USD and ETH raw series |
| Throughput     | `gas_per_second`            | `Mgas/s`                        |

## Example

```json
{
  "metric_key": "fees_paid_usd",
  "origin_key": "arbitrum",
  "date": "2026-03-01",
  "value": 123456.78
}
```

Interpretation:

* `metric_key` tells you this is the USD series for `fees`
* `origin_key` tells you the chain is `arbitrum`
* `date` is the daily observation date
* `value` is the numeric amount for that series and date

## Caveats

* Do not assume that all `value` fields are USD.
* Do not assume that all timestamps are `date` strings.
* Do not assume that monthly values are always sums. Monthly aggregation depends on the metric.

## Related Pages

* [What Is metric\_key?](/core-concepts/what-is-metric-key.md)
* [Metric Reference Overview](/metric-reference/metric-reference.md)


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