Gas Snapshot: Optimism Cheapest, Polygon Most Expensive
A recent on-chain analysis of transaction fees across major networks highlights significant disparities in gas costs. Optimism recorded the lowest fee at 0.001 gwei, whereas Polygon saw the highest cost at 279.7917 gwei during the measurement period.
A comprehensive snapshot of transaction costs across the blockchain networks we monitor was captured on 2026-06-05 at 21:05 UTC. The data reveals a dramatic divergence in fee structures, with Optimism standing out as the most economical network for users. In contrast, Polygon recorded the highest native gas price among the chains analyzed, presenting a unique anomaly in the current market landscape. These figures represent the native token costs measured directly on-chain, providing a raw look at the expense of executing transactions at this specific moment in time.
The Current Landscape
At the center of this analysis is the stark difference between the cheapest and most expensive options available. Optimism, operating on the Ethereum ecosystem, recorded a fee of just 0.001 gwei. This figure represents the absolute lowest cost observed in the dataset, making it the most affordable chain for users seeking to move assets or interact with decentralized applications. Meanwhile, Polygon, typically known for its low-cost reputation, reported a fee of 279.7917 gwei in POL. This value is significantly higher than the other networks listed and stands as the most expensive option in the current snapshot.
Network Breakdown
Other networks displayed varying levels of activity and cost efficiency relative to their recent history. Arbitrum recorded a fee of 0.0212 gwei in ETH, a rate that is currently considered cheap compared to its 24-hour range. Base followed a similar pattern with a fee of 0.006 gwei in ETH, which is also cheap relative to its recent 24-hour range, though the trend indicates prices are moving upward. Ethereum itself sits at 0.4221 gwei, which is currently cheap compared to its 24-hour range, despite a noted upward trend in the data. BNB Chain recorded a fee of 0.1 gwei in BNB, placing it in the middle of the cost spectrum relative to the outliers seen on Optimism and Polygon.
- Optimism: 0.001 gwei (ETH)
- Base: 0.006 gwei (ETH)
- BNB Chain: 0.1 gwei (BNB)
- Ethereum: 0.4221 gwei (ETH)
- Arbitrum: 0.0212 gwei (ETH)
- Polygon: 279.7917 gwei (POL)
Context and Trends
Understanding these numbers requires looking at the context of recent network activity. While most chains are currently trading at rates lower than their 24-hour averages, the trend on Base and Ethereum suggests a potential increase in congestion or demand. The anomaly on Polygon, where fees have spiked to 279.7917 gwei, is described as normal relative to its own 24-hour range, suggesting a specific event or market condition affecting the POL token price or network usage. Users monitoring these metrics must be aware that these costs are dynamic and can change rapidly based on network load and token valuation.