If you've ever bought an NFT—especially on the Ethereum blockchain—you’ve likely been shocked by the sky-high gas fees. What should be a simple digital purchase can quickly turn into a costly gamble, with transaction fees sometimes exceeding the price of the NFT itself. But why does this happen, and more importantly, what can you do about it?
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what gas fees are, why they spike during high-demand moments (commonly known as "gas wars"), and most crucially—how you can strategically reduce your costs without missing out.
What Is Gas Fee—and Who Gets It?
Gas fee is not a charge from the NFT seller, project team, or marketplace like OpenSea. Instead, it’s a transaction fee paid to Ethereum miners (or validators in a proof-of-stake system) for processing and confirming your transaction on the blockchain.
Think of the blockchain as a global ledger where every transaction must be verified and recorded. Miners—or now, validators—use computational power to secure the network and finalize transactions. In return, they earn gas fees. A portion of these fees is also permanently burned (removed from circulation), which helps control Ethereum’s supply.
👉 Discover how blockchain transactions work—and how to time them for lower costs.
What Causes a Gas War?
Gas fees are dynamic, not fixed. When you initiate a transaction, it enters a waiting area called the mempool. Miners prioritize transactions with higher gas fees because they earn more for processing them first.
This creates a bidding war—commonly known as a gas war—especially during high-profile NFT mints or drops. Thousands of buyers rush to mint at the same time, each increasing their gas price to jump the queue. The result? Fees skyrocket within minutes.
For example, during a popular NFT launch, average gas fees can surge from $10 to over $200—or even higher—depending on network congestion.
⚠️ Important: If you only have enough funds to cover the NFT’s listed price, you will not succeed in purchasing it. You must account for gas fees on top of the purchase cost.
How to Reduce Your NFT Gas Fees
While you can’t control global network demand, you can adopt smart strategies to minimize your expenses. Here are four key approaches:
1. Time Your Transactions Wisely
Network activity follows global time zones. Since much of the crypto activity originates from North America and Europe, periods of low activity in those regions often mean cheaper gas.
Best times to transact (in Taiwan time):
- Weekday afternoons (around 4 PM to 6 PM)
- Late evenings or early mornings when U.S. and European markets are inactive
Use tools like Etherscan’s Gas Tracker or browser extensions such as DeFi Saver Gas Prices Extension to monitor real-time gas rates. With experience, you’ll learn to recognize favorable conditions.
👉 Check live gas trends and optimize your transaction timing.
2. Choose a More Efficient Blockchain
Not all blockchains are created equal. While Ethereum remains the most popular for NFTs, its high demand leads to expensive fees. Alternatives offer faster speeds and lower costs:
- Solana: Known for sub-$0.01 transactions and high throughput
- Tezos: Eco-friendly and low-cost, with strong adoption in art communities
- Polygon: An Ethereum sidechain that maintains compatibility while slashing fees
Minting or buying NFTs on these networks can reduce your gas costs by up to 90% compared to Ethereum.
💡 Pro Tip: For non-blue-chip projects, consider starting on lower-cost chains to test the waters before jumping into high-stakes Ethereum mints.
3. Understand the NFT’s Underlying Protocol
The technical foundation of an NFT matters. Most early NFTs used the ERC-721 standard on Ethereum, which requires one transaction per mint—costly during gas wars.
Newer protocols like ERC-721A, used by projects such as Azuki, allow multiple NFTs to be minted in a single transaction. This dramatically reduces gas costs for users buying more than one item.
Since Azuki open-sourced ERC-721A, many new projects have adopted it. Always check which standard a project uses—it reflects both technical sophistication and user consideration.
4. Leverage Tools and Build Experience
Knowledge is power in the world of Web3. Equip yourself with tools that provide real-time insights:
- DeFi Saver Gas Prices Extension: Shows current average, fast, and slow gas rates directly in your browser
- Gas Now / Etherscan Gas Tracker: Provides historical data and alerts
Over time, you’ll develop intuition for when to act. As a general benchmark:
- Below 70 gwei: Reasonable for non-urgent transactions
- Above 150 gwei: High—consider waiting unless urgent
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I get a refund if my NFT transaction fails?
A: No—but partially. If your transaction fails (e.g., due to insufficient gas), you won’t receive the NFT, but most of the gas fee is still consumed because miners had to process the attempt. Only successful transactions guarantee results.
Q: Is it possible to avoid gas fees entirely?
A: Not on Ethereum mainnet—but layer-2 solutions like Optimism, Arbitrum, or zkSync offer near-zero fees while maintaining security. Some marketplaces now support these networks natively.
Q: How much extra should I keep in my wallet for gas?
A: On Ethereum, budget 30–50% more than the NFT price for unexpected spikes. For popular mints, consider setting aside up to 100% extra. On Solana or Tezos, 10–15% is usually sufficient.
Q: Does increasing my gas fee guarantee success?
A: It increases your chances significantly—but doesn’t guarantee it. During extreme congestion, even high bids may fail if network conditions shift rapidly.
Q: Are gas fees taxed?
A: In many jurisdictions, gas fees are considered part of your cost basis for tax purposes. Keep records of all transactions for accurate reporting.
Q: Will Ethereum’s upgrades fix high gas fees?
A: The shift to proof-of-stake (completed in 2022) improved efficiency but didn’t eliminate congestion. Future upgrades like sharding aim to increase capacity and reduce fees long-term—but widespread relief may take years.
Final Thoughts: Stay Smart, Stay Informed
The world of NFTs is exciting—but it rewards preparation. Understanding gas mechanics empowers you to participate confidently without overspending.
Remember: DYOR (Do Your Own Research). Market conditions evolve rapidly. What was true in early 2022 may no longer apply today—especially as new blockchains, protocols, and scaling solutions emerge.
Whether you're a beginner or seasoned collector, mastering gas optimization is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and improve your overall experience in the digital collectibles space.
👉 Learn more about blockchain networks and find low-cost entry points for your next NFT purchase.