How to Pay Less for Ethereum Gas: 4 Hacks You Should Know

Every day, the Ethereum network processes around 1.5–1.8 million transactions, according to YCharts, that’s about 1.598 million in a single day. All those transactions come at a cost: users pay millions in gas fees daily. Data from Artemis shows that Ethereum generates roughly $1.4 million in fees every 24 hours, though estimates vary slightly.

That means one thing: gas fees are a significant part of every Ethereum user’s spending — whether you’re swapping tokens, trading NFTs, or moving funds.

In this article, we’ll look at four proven ways to reduce your gas costs — across both the main Ethereum network and Layer 2 solutions. The advice is practical and simple enough for everyday users but can lead to real savings.

Key Takeaways

• Why save on gas: even “small” fees quickly add up if you’re active in DeFi, NFT markets, or regular transfers.
• How to save: move to Layer 2, choose low-traffic times, use smart aggregators, and combine multiple transactions.
• What’s the benefit: depending on the method, you can save from a few dollars per transaction to 50% or more overall.

1. Move to Layer 2 Solutions

One of the most effective ways to cut down on gas costs is to use Layer 2 (L2) networks such as Arbitrum, Optimism, or zkSync. These solutions handle most of the transaction processing off-chain and then send aggregated results to the main Ethereum network.

The main advantage of Layer 2 is drastically lower transaction costs. Operations that can cost several dollars on the Ethereum mainnet often cost just a few cents on L2 — even during high traffic periods. Layer 2 networks are fully compatible with the Ethereum ecosystem, so you can continue using your usual wallets, DeFi protocols, and NFT marketplaces without changing your setup. They also help with scalability: while the mainnet can slow down and become expensive during peak demand, L2 networks stay stable and affordable.

How to get started:

1. Use a bridge to move your ETH or tokens from the Ethereum mainnet to your chosen Layer 2.
2. Once funds are bridged, carry out swaps, transfers, or NFT transactions directly on that network.
3. When needed, you can transfer assets back to mainnet (though that may require a small exit fee).

The first bridge transaction from mainnet to Layer 2 still happens on Ethereum, so you’ll pay a one-time higher gas fee. Exiting funds back to mainnet can also cost extra or take longer depending on the network’s finalization model. Each Layer 2 has its own rules and fee structure, but even with those considerations, the overall savings are substantial compared to using Ethereum directly.

For frequent DeFi or NFT users, moving to Layer 2 is easily the most efficient way to cut ongoing costs without sacrificing the benefits of the Ethereum ecosystem.

2. Choose Low-Traffic Times

Gas prices fluctuate based on network demand. When the mempool is full, users compete by bidding higher gas prices, which drives fees up.

Strategies:

• Send transactions late at night or early in the morning when fewer users are active.
• Try weekends — they’re often cheaper than weekdays.
• Use Gas Tracker tools (like Etherscan’s) to check current and predicted gas prices and select a “slow” or “average” fee if your transaction isn’t urgent.
• Set a custom gas price in your wallet when the network is less congested.

For example, if you’re moving tokens or withdrawing funds and timing doesn’t matter, do it overnight or on a Saturday morning. Gas prices can drop significantly during those hours.

This strategy doesn’t require any special tools — just awareness. For users making frequent or high-value transactions, even small gas reductions can lead to noticeable savings over time.

3. Use Aggregators and Smart Routes

Not all wallets or protocols are equally gas-efficient. Aggregators can automatically calculate the cheapest route for your transaction by comparing networks, protocols, and paths.

What they do:

• Split your operation into multiple steps to find the lowest-cost path.
• Suggest cheaper chains (like Polygon or Tron) instead of sending ERC-20 tokens directly on Ethereum.
• Compare fees across DEXs to find the most “gas-efficient” route.
• Let you manually adjust transaction priority so you don’t overpay for speed.

For example, a swap aggregator might route your token trade through a cheaper chain and return the result to Ethereum, saving a large portion of the fee. Similarly, DEX aggregators like 1inch or Matcha can select contract routes that use less gas by minimizing the number of steps required.

Many modern DeFi apps already include such optimizations under the hood — meaning you can save automatically without much extra effort.

Using aggregators is one of the easiest ways to pay less without needing technical expertise or switching networks.

4. Reduce the Number of Transactions — Batch Calls, EIP-2612, and Lazy Minting

Every Ethereum transaction carries a base cost — even the simplest transfer uses a minimum of 21,000 gas. So, combining actions into fewer transactions can noticeably reduce your total fees.

Batch transactions

If you need to perform multiple actions, try to bundle them into one call. For example, some smart contracts let you both “approve” and “swap” tokens in a single transaction instead of two separate ones.

Use EIP-2612 (permit)

Normally, ERC-20 tokens require two steps: first you approve the contract, then you execute the transfer. EIP-2612 allows you to sign the approval off-chain and perform both steps in a single on-chain transaction.

This effectively removes one on-chain transaction and cuts the gas in half for that operation. Many modern tokens and DeFi platforms already support this feature.

Lazy minting and batch sales (for NFTs)

• Lazy minting: instead of paying gas to mint NFTs upfront, the token is only created when it’s purchased. This means you pay for gas only when there’s a sale.

• Batch minting or sales: mint or sell multiple NFTs in one go to avoid paying separate base fees for each.

These methods are particularly helpful for artists, creators, or active NFT traders, but the same logic applies across any use case — fewer on-chain actions mean less spent on gas.

The Bottom Line

If you’re an active Ethereum user — whether for DeFi, token trading, or NFTs — gas fees can eat into your profits fast. Fortunately, there are several practical ways to keep those costs in check:

• Move to Layer 2 — the most powerful and scalable way to save.
• Time your transactions — nights and weekends are often cheapest.
• Use aggregators — let smart tools find the most efficient route for you.
• Combining actions—batch calls, EIP-2612, and lazy minting — can cut your gas costs dramatically.

Together, these methods can save you anywhere from a few dollars to over 50% per operation. Even applying one or two consistently makes a real difference — helping you spend less on fees and keep more of your crypto where it belongs: in your wallet.