Gas Snapshot: Optimism Cheapest, Polygon Most Expensive

A comprehensive snapshot of transaction costs across the tracked blockchain ecosystem was recorded on 2026-06-05 at 23:04 UTC. This data point highlights a dramatic disparity in the native gas prices required to execute transactions on different Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. The measurement focuses strictly on the native token units per transaction, providing a raw look at the current state of network congestion and fee structures without external price adjustments.

The Current Fee Landscape

The most striking finding in this snapshot is the extreme variance between the cheapest and most expensive networks. Optimism stands out as the most economical option for users, with a recorded gas price of just 0.001 gwei. In stark contrast, Polygon presents the highest cost among the monitored chains at 281.1552 gwei. This represents a massive difference in the cost of entry for users interacting with these specific networks at this exact moment in time.

Network Performance Details

Other networks in the snapshot show varying degrees of activity and cost efficiency. Arbitrum recorded a fee of 0.02 gwei using ETH, a level described as currently cheap relative to its 24-hour range. Base followed with a fee of 0.006 gwei, also utilizing ETH, which is noted as cheap compared to its recent history but showing an upward trend. Ethereum itself sits at 0.18 gwei, currently cheap versus its 24-hour range with a trend moving up. BNB Chain recorded a fee of 0.1 gwei in BNB units. These figures provide a granular view of how network demand fluctuates, influencing the native token price required for transaction validation.

Implications for Users

Understanding these raw gwei figures is essential for cost-conscious users and developers. The data indicates that while Polygon is currently the most expensive network in this specific set, its cost is considered normal relative to its own 24-hour range. Conversely, Optimism offers a negligible cost of 0.001 gwei, making it highly attractive for micro-transactions. Arbitrum and Ethereum are also positioned as cost-effective options compared to their recent historical averages. This snapshot serves as a real-time indicator of network health and user experience, showing that transaction costs are not static but fluctuate based on immediate on-chain demand.

• Optimism: 0.001 gwei (Cheapest)
• Base: 0.006 gwei (Trend up)
• Ethereum: 0.18 gwei (Trend up)
• BNB Chain: 0.1 gwei
• Arbitrum: 0.02 gwei
• Polygon: 281.1552 gwei (Most expensive)

The divergence between Polygon's high fee and the sub-gwei costs of Optimism and Base underscores the importance of monitoring native token prices. Users seeking the lowest possible cost for immediate transactions should prioritize Optimism based on this data. Meanwhile, the upward trends noted on Base and Ethereum suggest that costs on those networks may increase in the near future if demand continues to rise. This raw data provides a factual basis for decision-making without speculation on future market prices.