Ethereum Gas Fee Historical Chart
- Fee History
- Gas Chart
- Price Trends
Year-by-Year ETH Transaction Fee Summary
ETH Transaction Price Trends From 2017 to 2026
Ethereum gas fees have undergone dramatic shifts since launch. In 2017, average fees were just $0.20. The 2018 ICO boom pushed costs to $1.20. DeFi's explosive growth in 2020 sent averages to $14, while the 2021 NFT frenzy caused fees to peak at $53.16 on May 10, 2021 — a 97% drop since realized by 2025, where the average settled below $1. February 2025 recorded an average fee of just $0.76, representing a 96% reduction from February 2021's $24.25.
What Drives Ethereum Fee Cycles?
Below are the most important facts about this topic, based on current Ethereum network data and research from leading blockchain analytics providers.
Key Facts
Below are the most important facts about this topic, based on current Ethereum network data and research from leading blockchain analytics providers.
- 2017 – Early Adoption: Average fee: $0.20. Low transaction volume and simple use cases kept costs minimal.
- 2020 – DeFi Summer: Average fee: $14. Uniswap, Compound, and Aave drove unprecedented on-chain activity.
- 2021 – NFT Peak: All-time high: $53.16. Network congestion reached its historical maximum in May 2021.
- 2025–2026 – Stability: Average fee: under $0.20. Layer 2 adoption and protocol upgrades stabilized costs for users.
When were Ethereum gas fees the highest ever?
The all-time highest average ETH transaction fee was $53.16, recorded on May 10, 2021, during the peak of NFT and DeFi mania.
Are Ethereum fees lower in 2026?
Yes. As of March 2026, Ethereum's average gas fee is approximately $0.16–$0.22 per transaction — more than 99% below the 2021 peak.