Summary
Transactions on the Base network require a fee to be paid in ETH. These fees are commonly referred to as “gas fees.”
Gas fees are paid to process transactions and help secure the network. The amount you pay depends on:
Network activity
The complexity of the transaction
The gas fee selected at the time of sending
This article explains how Base network fees work and why they can change over time.
What are Base network fees?
Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 network that uses ETH as its native gas token.
Every transaction on Base requires computational resources to process. Network fees help compensate validators and infrastructure that keep the network operating securely and efficiently.
You will pay a network fee when:
Sending assets
Swapping tokens
Connecting to decentralized applications (DApps)
Interacting with smart contracts
Even if you are sending tokens such as USDC, the fee must still be paid in ETH on the Base network.
Why do Base fees change?
Base network fees are dynamic and fluctuate depending on network demand.
Fees are generally:
Lower when network activity is low
Higher when the network is busy
More complex transactions also require more computational effort and therefore cost more in gas fees. For example:
Sending ETH is usually inexpensive
Swapping tokens or interacting with smart contracts generally costs more
Like Ethereum, Base uses a gas system that adjusts based on network conditions.
How are Base fees calculated?
Gas fees are typically calculated using:
Gas units × (Base fee + Priority fee)
Where:
Gas units = the amount of computational work required
Base fee = the minimum required fee based on network demand
Priority fee = an optional tip to help prioritize the transaction
For example:
A simple transfer may use around 21,000 gas units
More complex smart contract interactions may use significantly more
Gas prices are usually measured in “gwei,” which is a small denomination of ETH. One gwei equals 0.000000001 ETH.
Why do I need ETH on Base?
ETH is required to pay transaction fees on the Base network.
If you do not have enough ETH in your Base wallet, transactions cannot be processed.
This applies even when sending other assets such as:
USDC
DAI
Other ERC-20 tokens on Base
Why are my fees higher than expected?
Fees may increase due to:
High network activity
Increased demand for block space
Complex smart contract interactions
Token swaps or NFT transactions
Although Base fees are generally lower than Ethereum mainnet fees, they can still fluctuate during periods of heavy usage.
Important information
Network fees are paid to the blockchain network, not to Bitcoin.com
Fees are required for all onchain transactions
Fees are deducted automatically when transactions are confirmed
Failed transactions may still consume gas fees because computational resources were used
Need help?
If you have questions about Base network fees or a transaction on Base, please contact our support team by:
🖥️ Web Support (Help Center)
Visit support.bitcoin.com
Tap the chat icon in the lower-right corner
Select Ask a question to start chatting
📱 In-app assistance
Open the Bitcoin.com Wallet app
Tap More (bottom-right corner)
Select Help & Support
Tap Speak with a support agent
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📧 Email support
Prefer email? Contact us anytime at [email protected]