Ethereum gas fees explained
Ethereum gas fees are the cost of doing anything on the network, paid in ETH and measured in gwei. They rise with demand — but layer-2s like Base and Arbitrum cut the cost dramatically.
What is gas on Ethereum?
Every action uses computing power measured in gas, and you pay for it in ETH. Fees are quoted in gwei (one billionth of an ETH). A simple transfer is cheap in gas units; deploying a token costs more.
Why Ethereum fees are high
Ethereum has limited block space and huge demand, so users effectively bid for inclusion. When the network is busy, the price per gas rises and fees can reach several dollars or more.
How to pay less
- Use a layer-2 like Base or Arbitrum — same ERC-20 format, cents instead of dollars.
- Transact during quieter hours.
- For a low-cost token launch, consider BNB Chain or Solana.
Compare costs in our calculator.
Getting ETH for gas
Keep some ETH in your wallet to cover fees. You need ETH whether you transact on Ethereum mainnet or on its L2s (where you bridge ETH over).
Cost to create a token on Ethereum
Deploying an ERC-20 on mainnet costs more gas than other chains. To keep it affordable, many creators use Base or Arbitrum, which use the same standard for a fraction of the fee.
How are Ethereum gas fees calculated?
A Ethereum gas fee is not a fixed number — it is the amount of computational work your transaction needs (measured in gas units) multiplied by the price per unit (the gas price, set by network demand). A simple transfer uses little gas; a contract interaction such as deploying a token uses more. On Ethereum you pay this fee in ETH, the network’s native asset, and the price rises and falls with how busy the network is. Ethereum fees are higher than on newer chains — the trade-off for its deep liquidity and security. To understand the mechanics across every network, see our general guide to gas fees explained.
Keeping Ethereum fees low when you create a token
For anyone launching a token, Ethereum fees matter most at one moment: deploying the contract. The good news is that creating a token on Ethereum costs only the network gas fee in ETH — there is no separate platform cost beyond any small tool fee. Because the fee tracks network demand, deploying when Ethereum is less congested can reduce it further. And since every chain has its own fees, choosing the right network is the biggest factor in what you pay overall; our guide to the best blockchain to create a token and multichain deployment compare the options. When you are ready, you can create your token on Ethereum paying just the ETH gas fee, with full ownership kept in your hands.
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Create a tokenFrequently asked questions
What is gwei?
Gwei is a small unit of ETH (one billionth) used to price gas. Lower gwei means cheaper transactions.
Why is my Ethereum transaction so expensive?
Fees spike when the network is congested. Using a layer-2 or transacting during off-peak times reduces the cost.
Is it cheaper to create a token on Base or Arbitrum?
Yes — both are Ethereum layer-2s using the same ERC-20 standard at a tiny fraction of mainnet gas.
Launch a token on BNB Chain, Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Solana, Polygon, Optimism, Linea, Avalanche, Scroll, Sui, TON, Berachain, HyperEVM, Sonic, Unichain, World Chain, Soneium, Mantle, Cronos, Monad or Metis — no code, in minutes.
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