Gas Snapshot: Optimism Cheapest, Polygon Most Expensive
A recent on-chain snapshot captured transaction costs across multiple blockchain networks, highlighting a significant disparity between the cheapest and most expensive chains. Optimism recorded the lowest fees while Polygon stood out with the highest costs in the current cycle.
A comprehensive snapshot of transaction costs was taken on the blockchain network at 03:35 UTC on June 6, 2026. This data point captures the native gas prices in gwei for six major chains, illustrating the current state of network congestion and fee structures. The figures represent the actual cost required to execute a standard transaction on each network at that specific moment in time.
The Current Landscape
The data reveals a dramatic divergence in pricing models across the ecosystem. At the bottom of the cost spectrum, Optimism recorded a fee of just 0.001 gwei. This makes it the most affordable network for users looking to move assets or interact with decentralized applications without incurring significant expenses. Following closely is Base, which saw a fee of 0.006 gwei. Both networks are currently operating at levels considered cheap relative to their respective 24-hour ranges, with Base showing a downward trend in its costs.
Mid-Range and High Costs
Moving up the cost ladder, Ethereum and BNB Chain offer moderate pricing options. Ethereum recorded a fee of 0.2172 gwei, while BNB Chain settled at 0.1 gwei. Both of these networks are currently trading at prices that are cheap compared to their historical 24-hour ranges, with Ethereum specifically showing a downward trend. However, the most striking figure in this snapshot belongs to Polygon. Despite being a layer-2 solution often associated with low fees, Polygon recorded a fee of 279.4433 gwei in POL. This figure is notably high compared to the other chains listed and represents the most expensive option in this specific snapshot.
Network Performance Context
Arbitrum also performed well in terms of affordability, recording a fee of 0.0202 gwei. Like Ethereum and Base, Arbitrum is currently cheap versus its 24-hour range, suggesting a period of lower network demand or efficient block utilization. The stark contrast between Polygon's 279.4433 gwei and the sub-0.01 gwei fees on Optimism and Base underscores the volatility of gas prices. These metrics are measured directly on-chain and reflect the real-time state of the networks. Users monitoring these figures can see that while most networks are experiencing a downtrend or cheap conditions, Polygon remains an outlier in this specific measurement period.
- Optimism: 0.001 gwei (Cheapest)
- Base: 0.006 gwei (Trend down)
- BNB Chain: 0.1 gwei
- Ethereum: 0.2172 gwei (Trend down)
- Arbitrum: 0.0202 gwei (Cheap vs 24h)
- Polygon: 279.4433 gwei (Most expensive)
This snapshot provides a clear view of the economic environment for crypto users right now. The wide gap between the lowest and highest fees indicates that network selection can drastically impact the cost of operations. As these metrics fluctuate based on network usage and demand, the current data serves as a baseline for understanding the relative value of transacting on different chains at this specific moment.