Priority Fee FAQ

This FAQ answers the most frequently asked questions about priority fees across Ethereum, Solana, and other blockchain networks.

Is a Priority Fee Mandatory?

No. Priority fees are entirely optional on both Ethereum and Solana. You can submit a transaction with zero priority fee, but during congested periods, validators will deprioritize or even drop such transactions in favor of those offering higher rewards. For non-urgent transactions during low-activity periods, a zero or minimal priority fee is often fine.

Priority fees increase the likelihood of fast confirmation but are never a guarantee — block builders retain discretion over final transaction ordering.

Can I Get a Refund If My Transaction Fails?

On Ethereum, if your transaction is included in a block but fails due to a smart contract error (such as out-of-gas or a revert), the base fee and priority fee are still consumed — you do not get a refund. If your transaction is never included because the base fee rose above your max fee, it remains pending or is dropped and you are not charged. On Solana, failed transactions do still consume a portion of the priority fee paid.

Additional frequently asked questions: What is the difference between a priority fee and a gas fee? The gas fee is the total cost; the priority fee is the optional tip component. What is the minimum useful priority fee on Ethereum? Approximately 1–2 GWEI under normal conditions. What is the best tool to check current Solana priority fees? Helius Priority Fee API and Triton's fee service are widely used. Does paying a higher priority fee guarantee the next block? It increases probability but is not a guarantee — block builders retain discretion over final transaction ordering.