MetaMask Gas Fee Comparison by Network and Transaction

MetaMask gas fee comparison

Crypto Asked Aug 16, 2026

✓ Top answer Community-sourced, written up by For Users

MetaMask Gas Fee Comparison by Network and Transaction

MetaMask gas fees differ mainly by network, transaction type, and network congestion, with Ethereum mainnet typically the most expensive. The fee is charged per transaction and depends on the complexity of the operation, not the amount sent, so transferring $1 worth of a token can cost the same gas as transferring $1000 worth. Layer 2 networks and alternative chains such as Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and Binance Smart Chain offer considerably lower costs.

Users report that MetaMask's suggested gas fees are often higher than necessary. Many set fees manually to lower values and still get their transactions through without issues. Timing also helps, since gas prices move with demand, so transacting during periods of lower congestion can reduce what you pay.

A few network specifics matter. MetaMask covers gas fees for Solana swaps exceeding $200 in value, which helps users who hold no SOL. The Monad network requires a minimum reserve of 10 $MON, and hardware wallets there may not support gasless swaps. Also confirm your tokens sit on the network you intend to use: USDC exists separately on Ethereum, Base, and Arbitrum among others, and ETH only pays for gas on the network where it actually lives, so a network mismatch is a common cause of failed transactions.

Ways to cut fees

Use a Layer 2 Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon charge considerably less than Ethereum mainnet.
Try an alternative chain Binance Smart Chain offers significantly cheaper transactions than Ethereum.
Withdraw directly to L2 Pick an exchange that lets you send funds straight to a Layer 2 network and avoid L1 fees.
Transact off peak Gas prices fluctuate with demand, so try different times and repeat when congestion is low.
Set fees manually MetaMask suggestions often run high, and lower manual fees still go through for many users.

MetaMask Gas Fee Comparison by Network and Transaction — infographic

Understanding Gas Fees in MetaMask

Gas fees are transaction-dependent, not amount-dependent. The cost of a transaction does not change based on the value being transferred, but rather on the complexity of the operation. "The gas fee is per transaction. Doesn't matter if you are transferring $1 worth or $1000 worth. It is based on the type of transaction, not the amount."

Ethereum mainnet fees are often high. Users generally agree that gas fees on the Ethereum mainnet can be prohibitively expensive, especially for smaller transactions or during periods of high network activity. "Ethereum block space doesn’t change, so the more people that want to use it, the more it costs."

MetaMask's suggested fees can be overestimated. Some Users report that MetaMask's default gas fee suggestions are often higher than necessary, and they successfully execute transactions by manually setting lower fees. "metamask fee suggestions are always way too high, i've been doing same thing for months and never had issue with lower fees."

Strategies for Lowering Gas Fees

Utilize Layer 2 (L2) solutions and alternative chains. Many Users recommend using L2s like Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, or other chains like Binance Smart Chain (BSC) for significantly cheaper transactions. "Use a layer 2 like arbitrum"

Bridge directly to L2 from exchanges. To avoid high L1 fees when moving assets, it's advised to use exchanges that allow direct withdrawals to L2 networks. "Ideally, find an exchange that lets you withdraw directly to a layer 2 and you'll save a lot on fees"

Monitor gas prices and transact during off-peak hours. Gas fees fluctuate based on network demand; waiting for lower congestion times can reduce costs. "Try at different times, rinse and repeat"

Specific Network Considerations

Solana network sometimes offers gas fee coverage. MetaMask has introduced a feature to cover gas fees for Solana swaps exceeding $200, which aims to improve the user experience for those without SOL. "MetaMask has introduced a new feature that covers gas fees for Solana swaps exceeding $200 in value."

Monad network has a minimum balance requirement. For transactions on the Monad network, a minimum balance of 10 $MON is required, and hardware wallets may not support gasless swaps. "Monad requires balances on their network remain at a 10 $MON reserve"

Ensure tokens are on the correct network. A common issue leading to failed transactions or unexpected fees is having tokens on a different network than the one intended for the transaction. "This is almost always a network mismatch vs a gas problem. USDC exists separately on Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum and a few others, and ETH only pays for gas on the network it actually lives on."

Do you want to compare gas fees for a specific transaction type on a particular network?

Bottom line

MetaMask gas fees vary significantly by network, transaction type, and network congestion, with Ethereum mainnet typically having the highest fees. Users frequently highlight that Layer 2 solutions and alternative chains offer considerably lower costs.

Community answers 25

What others in the community said:

83% upvoted

So I thought I would jump on and look into getting some tokens. Now I moved some Eth to MetaMask all good but cost nearly £40 to do so! Now I’m on there and want to get some different tokens and the gas is just crazy the lowest I have seen it is £60 odd quid! Seriously! Why? How does anyone afford this? Is there not a better way?

There is a better way. Use a layer 2 like arbitrum

95% upvoted

MetaMask has introduced a new feature that covers gas fees for Solana swaps exceeding $200 in value.
This initiative removes a key barrier for users without SOL, making decentralized trading smoother and more accessible.
The update highlights MetaMask’s ongoing commitment to improving user experience across blockchains.

82% upvoted

Seeking a help from MM experienced users. I mostly traded and transferred crypto through crypto exchanges such as Binance. This is my first time using MM wallet for new transcations. I need it to make a payment for API credits i.e. OpenRouter. Initially, I sent the USDC from my exchange account to MM, but I received an error from OpenRouter saying" insufficient fund" without mentioning gas fee though. So I read a few articles saying that it requires gas fee but must be a native coins such as ETH, so I transferred ETH over, but I still couldn't do anything with the USDC e.g. swap / send, however, I can swap ETH with others.

Much appreicated if someone can show me a few steps to spin it up.

Polygon as a commit chain to Ethereum and all the layer2s. Layer1 is not for plebs, we will live on L2s with the security of L1. Use or as direct fiat to L2 on-ramps. Otherwise, use bridges, more info on e.g.

Easy! Just close your eyes and click submit

67% upvoted

Not sure if this is the correct place for my question but here it goes.

Ok. I've used Metamask since 2018. Mostly for ETH trading, but other chains as well. Since it's ICO on November 23rd of 2025, I've been investing in Monad. How I usually buy Monad is first I buy USDC on Coinbase and send it to my hot wallet on the Monad network straight from Coinbase I have setup in Metamask. Once it's in my hot wallet I swap the USDC to Monad. Then I send it from my hot wallet to my Ledger Wallet. From there I usually stake it.

I have been doing this for months. Since yesterday I cannot send Monad from my hot wallet using Metamask to my Ledger Wallet address which is also setup in Metamask because the gas fee is over 7 Monad. Monad is basically gas less or fractions of a penny. I used to hit "Max" and send all the Monad out of my hot wallet to my Ledger Wallet without any issues.

I have gone to advanced and played with the gas settings such as GWEI and Gas limit, but nothing works. I had about 3500 Monad and when I click send and max it doesn't work because of the 7 Monad gas fee. I did try sending 2390 (all but 10) and the gas fee was normal and it worked. By normal I mean 0.00004 Monad to send 2390. But again when I try to send the last 10 it wants 7 Monad for gas.

Am I missing something here? I just don't get what is the issue here. Thanks for any assistance and don't bother DM'ing me.

100% upvoted

I’m new to crypto and I have a few questions 1. I want to transfer low amounts of money and my gas fee is like $100 2. Do my gas fees stay the same if I transfer more money 3. How much are gas fees usually they seem really high

80% upvoted

Im new to buying crypto on metamask and i wanted to place a 50$ order of GamerCoin (GHX) on metamask.

When i tried to swap my ETH to GHX, metamask told me that i needed to pay like 34$ of gas fees for a 50$ order.

Is it normal and if it's not how can i lower this fee?

metamask fee suggestions are always way too high, i've been doing same thing for months and never had issue with lower fees.

Jesus Christ the gas fee is like one week of my salary

Ethereum sucks, use moonriver

And yes it will

That's why I'm moving onto IMX projects. Fed up of those absurd fees

During the bear market the gas fees were like $2, we’re in a bull market now so network activity is high which results in much higher fees, you can try at different times of the day to see if it changes

don't use eth chain if you're not rich or whale
eth l1 is always high especially when ethprice is shyrocketying but not 100 , around 30 for transfer but more gas if you approve or swap or use defi more. use l2 instead, manta, op, arb, zksynce era, base. don't use l1 ever again
gas always tge same, low or high amount
if you stick with eth, forget erc20 chain

Etherium gas fees are ridiculously high, and part of the reason why it’ll never actually become a mainstream network for payments. Unless you want to swap tokens that are exclusively on ERC20 then you should use another network.

Where do you change those suggestions?y metamask only has a (?) next to the suggestion but not something where i can pick

33% upvoted

I feel like most people are overpaying on ETH transactions a lot. Plus if everybody overpays that just makes the fee estimator suggest higher fees.

Yes I know, not paying enough and getting your tx stuck is super annoying but is it really worth losing 45 cents on every tx for NO REASON?

Honestly, there must be better software wallets then Metamask by now? I am using a trezor + metamask but I am so tired of using metamask. Any good alternatives that are trusted and open source?

You're crying about 50 cents?

The gas fee is per transaction. Doesn't matter if you are transferring $1 worth or $1000 worth. It is based on the type of transaction, not the amount.

Ethereum block space doesn’t change, so the more people that want to use it, the more it costs.

Ideally, find an exchange that lets you withdraw directly to a layer 2 and you'll save a lot on fees

Try at different times, rinse and repeat

Monad requires balances on their network remain at a 10 $MON reserve

This is almost always a network mismatch vs a gas problem. USDC exists separately on Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum and a few others, and ETH only pays for gas on the network it actually lives on.

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