# Merkle updates (https://docs-dmpho5eos-ton-core-docs.vercel.app/llms/foundations/serialization/merkle-update/content.md)



Merkle update cells always have two references, `c1`, `c2`, and behave like a Merkle proof for both.
The level of a Merkle update cell, `0 <= l < 3`, is determined as `max{Lvl(c1) - 1, Lvl(c2) - 1, 0}`.

Each Merkle update cell serializes as follows:

* one tag byte with value `0x04`;
* the 256-bit higher hash of the referenced cell `c1` or the [representation hash](/llms/foundations/serialization/cells/content.md) of `c` if its level equals zero;
* the same for the second reference `c2`;
* 2 bytes that store the depth of the old deleted subtree that was replaced by the reference `c1`;
* 2 bytes that store the depth of the new deleted subtree that was replaced by the reference `c2`.