Gas Snapshot: Optimism Cheapest, Polygon Most Expensive

Recent on-chain measurements captured a significant divergence in transaction costs across the major blockchain networks tracked by analysts. The snapshot, recorded on June 6, 2026, at 05:05 UTC, highlights that Optimism is currently the most economical network for executing transactions. In contrast, Polygon presents the highest fee structure among the groups measured, creating a unique landscape for users seeking the most cost-effective way to interact with decentralized applications.

The Current Fee Landscape

The data indicates that Optimism is leading the pack with a native gas cost of just 0.001 gwei. This figure represents the absolute lowest cost observed across the entire set of monitored chains at the time of the measurement. For users prioritizing minimal expenditure, this network offers the most favorable conditions for sending transactions or interacting with smart contracts. The low cost is particularly notable given the competitive nature of Layer 2 solutions in the current market.

High Costs on Polygon

Conversely, Polygon recorded a native gas cost of 277.9041 gwei, making it the most expensive chain in this specific snapshot. This figure is measured in POL tokens. While the data notes that this level is currently normal relative to its 24-hour range, the absolute value remains significantly higher than its competitors. This disparity suggests that users on Polygon may face substantially higher barriers to entry compared to networks like Optimism or Arbitrum during this specific window of time.

Comparative Analysis of Other Chains

Other networks in the dataset show varying degrees of cost efficiency. Arbitrum recorded a fee of 0.0202 gwei using ETH, which is described as cheap compared to its 24-hour range. Base followed closely with 0.018 gwei, also showing a downward trend and cheap status relative to recent history. Ethereum itself sits at 0.5136 gwei, currently cheap and trending down. BNB Chain recorded a fee of 0.1 gwei. When placed against the backdrop of Polygon's 277.9041 gwei, these figures illustrate the extreme variance in pricing models across different blockchain ecosystems.

• Optimism: 0.001 gwei (Cheapest)
• Arbitrum: 0.0202 gwei (Cheap vs 24h range)
• Base: 0.018 gwei (Cheap vs 24h range, trend down)
• BNB Chain: 0.1 gwei
• Ethereum: 0.5136 gwei (Cheap vs 24h range, trend down)
• Polygon: 277.9041 gwei (Most expensive)

Implications for Users

This snapshot underscores the importance of monitoring gas prices before executing on-chain activities. The choice of network can drastically alter the cost of a transaction, ranging from fractions of a cent to significantly higher amounts depending on the token used and the specific chain selected. Users looking to minimize costs should consider the current state of Optimism, while those on Polygon should be aware that fees are currently elevated relative to the other chains in this comparison. The trend data for Ethereum and Base suggests that fee reductions may be occurring on those specific networks, potentially offering better value in the near future.