Gas Snapshot: Optimism Cheapest, Polygon Most Expensive
A recent on-chain snapshot captures a significant divergence in transaction costs across major blockchain networks. While Optimism offers the lowest fees at 0.001 gwei, Polygon stands out as the most expensive option with costs exceeding 276 gwei.
A detailed analysis of current transaction costs across the major blockchain networks tracked by our team highlights a dramatic disparity in gas prices. This snapshot, recorded on June 6, 2026, at 10:04 UTC, provides a clear view of the native gas costs measured in gwei for each network. The data underscores how user expenses vary wildly depending on the chosen chain, ranging from fractions of a cent to significantly higher amounts for specific networks.
The Current Landscape
At the center of this cost analysis is Optimism, which currently holds the title of the cheapest network for transactions. The native gas fee on Optimism has dropped to 0.001 gwei. This figure represents the lowest cost among all chains monitored in this specific report. In contrast, Polygon presents a starkly different picture for users looking to transact on that specific network. The gas fee on Polygon has surged to 276.3068 gwei, making it the most expensive option currently available in the snapshot.
Comparative Network Analysis
Other major networks show varying levels of activity and cost efficiency relative to their recent history. Arbitrum is currently trading at 0.0201 gwei using ETH, a rate that is considered cheap compared to its 24-hour range. Similarly, Base is operating at 0.006 gwei, also utilizing ETH, and is currently cheap relative to its 24-hour range with a downward trend observed. Ethereum itself is sitting at 0.1752 gwei, which is also described as cheap versus its 24-hour range and is trending down. BNB Chain maintains a fee of 0.1 gwei using BNB as its native token.
- Optimism: 0.001 gwei (Cheapest)
- Base: 0.006 gwei (Trend down)
- Arbitrum: 0.0201 gwei (Cheap vs 24h)
- BNB Chain: 0.1 gwei
- Ethereum: 0.1752 gwei (Cheap vs 24h)
- Polygon: 276.3068 gwei (Most expensive)
Implications for Users
The data suggests that for users seeking the absolute lowest cost for a transaction, Optimism is the clear choice at this specific moment in time. The cost difference between Optimism and Polygon is nearly three hundred times greater, illustrating how volatile gas prices can be across different Layer 2 solutions and alternative chains. While Ethereum and Arbitrum offer moderate costs that are currently favorable compared to their recent averages, Polygon's current state stands as an outlier. This snapshot serves as a real-time reference for developers and traders who must decide where to deploy capital or execute trades based on immediate fee structures. The trend data for Base and Ethereum indicates a cooling market for gas fees on those specific networks, whereas Polygon's high cost may deter casual users until fees normalize.