Quick Answer: How Much Are PulseChain Gas Fees?
TL;DR: PulseChain gas fees typically cost $0.001 to $0.01 per transaction — about 100 to 1000 times cheaper than Ethereum. A simple PLS transfer costs ~$0.0001, while a complex DeFi swap costs ~$0.001-0.003.
💰 Typical Gas Costs (December 2025)
| Transaction Type | PulseChain | Ethereum |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Transfer | ~$0.0001 | ~$0.50-2 |
| Token Swap | ~$0.001-0.003 | ~$5-15 |
| LP Add/Remove | ~$0.002-0.005 | ~$10-30 |
| Contract Deployment | ~$0.01-0.05 | ~$50-500 |
How Gas Fees Work on PulseChain
The Basics
Gas fees on PulseChain work the same way as Ethereum (since it's a fork). Every transaction requires computational work, and you pay for that work in PLS (PulseChain's native token).
The gas fee formula:
Gas Fee = Gas Used × Gas Price (in gwei)
- Gas Used: Amount of computation required (varies by transaction type)
- Gas Price: Price you're willing to pay per unit of gas (in gwei)
- 1 gwei: 0.000000001 PLS
Why PulseChain Is So Cheap
PulseChain gas fees are dramatically lower than Ethereum for several reasons:
- Lower Network Congestion: Fewer users competing for block space
- Faster Block Times: 10-second blocks vs Ethereum's 12 seconds
- Lower Base Fee: Network parameters favor lower costs
- PLS Value: PLS price affects USD cost of gas
EIP-1559 on PulseChain
PulseChain uses the same EIP-1559 fee model as Ethereum:
- Base Fee: Algorithmically determined, burned (destroyed)
- Priority Fee (Tip): Optional tip to validators for faster inclusion
- Max Fee: Maximum you're willing to pay total
The base fee adjusts based on demand — when blocks are full, the base fee increases. When blocks are empty, it decreases.
Current Gas Prices on PulseChain
Live Gas Tracker
Check current gas prices on PulseScan. As of December 2025, typical gas prices are:
| Speed | Gas Price | Confirmation Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🐢 Slow | ~0.001-0.01 gwei | 1-3 minutes |
| 🚗 Average | ~0.01-0.1 gwei | 10-30 seconds |
| 🚀 Fast | ~0.1-1 gwei | <10 seconds |
⚠️ Note on Gas Prices
Gas prices fluctuate based on network activity. During high-demand events (new token launches, etc.), prices can spike temporarily. Always check current rates before large transactions.
Gas Fees by Transaction Type
Simple PLS Transfer
Sending PLS from one wallet to another is the simplest transaction.
- Gas Used: 21,000 (fixed)
- Typical Cost: $0.00001 - $0.0001
- Example: At 0.01 gwei, 21,000 gas = 0.00000021 PLS
Token Transfer (ERC-20)
Sending tokens like pHEX, PLSX, or bridged tokens.
- Gas Used: ~50,000 - 70,000
- Typical Cost: $0.0001 - $0.001
Token Swap on PulseX
Swapping one token for another on a DEX.
- Gas Used: ~150,000 - 300,000
- Typical Cost: $0.001 - $0.005
Token Approval
Approving a smart contract to spend your tokens (required before first swap).
- Gas Used: ~45,000
- Typical Cost: $0.0001 - $0.0005
Add/Remove Liquidity
Adding or removing tokens from a liquidity pool.
- Gas Used: ~200,000 - 400,000
- Typical Cost: $0.002 - $0.01
HEX Staking
Starting or ending a HEX stake.
- Gas Used: ~100,000 - 200,000
- Typical Cost: $0.001 - $0.005
How to Save on PulseChain Gas Fees
1. Time Your Transactions
Even though PulseChain is cheap, timing still matters for optimal savings:
- Avoid peak hours: Gas can spike during high activity
- Check gas tracker: Use PulseScan to see current rates
- Wait for dips: If not urgent, wait for lower gas
2. Use Appropriate Gas Settings
MetaMask lets you adjust gas settings:
- For non-urgent transactions: Use "Low" gas setting
- For time-sensitive trades: Use "Market" or "Aggressive"
- Custom: Manually set gas price (advanced users)
3. Batch Your Transactions
If possible, combine multiple operations into fewer transactions:
- Swap multiple tokens in sequence during one session
- Use aggregators that batch operations
- Plan your DeFi moves to minimize transaction count
4. Avoid Failed Transactions
Failed transactions still cost gas! Prevent them by:
- Setting adequate slippage tolerance on swaps
- Ensuring you have enough PLS for gas
- Double-checking addresses before sending
- Using transaction simulation (Rabby Wallet)
Gas Fee Comparison: PulseChain vs Other Chains
| Blockchain | Avg. Swap Cost | Relative to PulseChain |
|---|---|---|
| PulseChain | $0.002 | 1x (baseline) |
| Polygon | $0.01 | 5x more |
| Arbitrum | $0.10 | 50x more |
| Optimism | $0.15 | 75x more |
| BNB Chain | $0.20 | 100x more |
| Ethereum | $8.00 | 4,000x more |
The Gas Burn Mechanism
How Burns Work
Like Ethereum after EIP-1559, PulseChain burns the base fee portion of every transaction. This means:
- PLS is removed from circulation with every transaction
- Higher network activity = more PLS burned
- This creates deflationary pressure on the supply
Burn Statistics
You can track PLS burns on PulseScan. During high-activity periods, millions of PLS can be burned daily.
Getting PLS for Gas
The New User Challenge
New PulseChain users face a chicken-and-egg problem: you need PLS to pay for gas, but how do you get PLS without making a transaction?
Solutions
- Bridge with Gas: Some bridges (including ours) can send a small amount of PLS for gas
- Faucets: Free PLS faucets exist (though amounts are tiny)
- Community Help: PulseChain Telegram groups often help newcomers
- Exchanges: Buy PLS on exchanges that support withdrawals to PulseChain
Detailed guide: No PLS for Gas After Bridging?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PulseChain gas so cheap?
PulseChain has lower network congestion than Ethereum, faster block times, and lower base fees. The combination of these factors, plus PLS's price, results in transaction costs that are 100-1000x lower than Ethereum.
Will PulseChain gas fees increase?
Fees could increase if network usage grows significantly or if PLS price rises substantially. However, the network is designed to handle high throughput, so dramatic fee increases are unlikely unless there's extreme congestion.
How much PLS should I keep for gas?
For occasional use, 10-100 PLS is plenty. For active trading/DeFi, keep 500-1000 PLS. At current prices, this is negligible in USD terms but ensures you never get stuck.
What happens if I set gas too low?
Your transaction may take longer to confirm or fail entirely. If it fails, you still pay for the gas used up to the failure point. It's better to use recommended gas settings.
Can I speed up a pending transaction?
Yes, in MetaMask you can "Speed Up" a pending transaction by resubmitting it with higher gas. This replaces the original transaction.
Conclusion
PulseChain's ultra-low gas fees are a game-changer for DeFi users. What costs $10-50 on Ethereum costs less than a penny on PulseChain. This makes it practical to:
- Make small trades that would be unprofitable elsewhere
- Experiment with DeFi without fear of losing money to fees
- Execute strategies requiring many transactions
- Onboard new users without the fee barrier
🚀 Experience Low-Fee DeFi
Bridge your assets to PulseChain and start enjoying sub-penny transaction fees:
Bridge to PulseChain