How much are Bitcoin transaction fees?
Quick Answer
On-chain fees float with demand: from under $0.50 in quiet periods to $20+ during congestion. You pay per byte of data, not per dollar sent.
TL;DR
Fees depend on network demand and transaction size in bytes — not the amount sent. Check live rates before transferring.
Key Takeaways
- 1Fees are bid per virtual byte (sat/vB), not per amount — sending $10 and $10M can cost the same
- 2Quiet weekends are often 5–10× cheaper than volatile weekdays
- 3Exchange withdrawal fees are set by the exchange and differ from network fees
- 4The Lightning Network makes small payments nearly free
Full Explanation
Bitcoin fees confuse newcomers because they have nothing to do with how much you send. Miners price block space by data size: a typical simple transaction is about 140 virtual bytes, and you bid a rate in satoshis per byte to get included.
When demand for block space is low, 1–3 sat/vB clears within an hour and a transfer costs cents. During volatility spikes or inscription crazes, the going rate can jump to 50–100+ sat/vB and the same transfer costs $10–$30.
Two practical notes. First, exchange withdrawal fees are a separate, exchange-set charge — sometimes far above the real network cost. Second, if your transfer isn't urgent, choosing an economy rate or waiting for a quiet window routinely cuts the cost by 80%. Our live Fee Estimator shows the current rates in your currency.