Understanding network fees
Network fees cover the cost of processing blockchain transactions. Sometimes called gas, these fees depend on the network you use and the transaction you make.
Why you pay network fees #
Network fees pay for the work needed to process your transaction. Phantom does not receive these fees.
How to pay network fees #
You’ll usually need the network’s native token to pay fees, such as SOL on Solana or ETH on Ethereum. On Arc, fees are paid in USDC.
Holding other tokens on the network doesn’t cover the fee. For example, sending USDC on Solana still requires SOL.
Some transactions are gasless, so you may not need to hold the network’s native token. Learn more about gasless transactions on Solana and gasless EVM transactions.
If a transaction fails #
A transaction can fail after the network has processed it. When this happens, the network fee still applies and isn’t refunded.
Why fees change #
Fees can rise when a network is busy. The type of transaction can also affect the cost. If you’re not in a hurry, try again later. Fees may be lower when demand drops.
How much to keep for fees #
Use these suggested balances as a starting point. They aren’t per-transaction fees or guaranteed minimums. You may need more depending on network activity and the transactions you make.
| Network | Native token (gas token) | Suggested balance |
|---|---|---|
| Solana | SOL | 0.02 SOL |
| Ethereum | ETH | 0.002 ETH on Ethereum |
| Robinhood Chain | ETH on Robinhood Chain | 0.001 ETH on Robinhood Chain |
| Arc | USDC | 1 to 2 USDC on Arc |
| Base | ETH on Base | 0.002 ETH on Base |
| Polygon | POL | 0.5 POL |
| HyperEVM | HYPE | 0.01 HYPE |
| Bitcoin | BTC | 500 satoshis |
| BNB Chain | BNB | 0.01 BNB |
Keep gas tokens on the right network #
Your gas token needs to be on the network you’re using, even when networks use the same token. For example, ETH on Ethereum can’t cover fees on Robinhood Chain or Base. To use Robinhood Chain, you need ETH on Robinhood Chain.
Fees when bridging #
When you swap tokens from one network to another (also known as cross-chain swapping or bridging), you usually pay a network fee on the network you’re sending from. Additional fees may apply depending on the bridge and route.
How networks calculate fees #
| Network | Model |
|---|---|
| Solana | Fees include a base fee and may include a priority fee. |
| Bitcoin | Fees depend on the transaction’s size in virtual bytes (vBytes). |
| Ethereum, Robinhood Chain, HyperEVM, Base, Polygon, Arc, BNB Chain | Fees depend on the gas used to process the transaction and the price of gas. You aren’t charged for unused gas. |