Network fees: units and a confirmation-time scenario

Why this matters

A network fee needs both a transaction size and a rate in compatible units. The Ethereum mode uses gas units and gwei per gas; the Bitcoin mode uses virtual bytes and satoshis per virtual byte. The asset price only converts the resulting fee into currency units.

Before entering the numbers

A network fee needs both a transaction size and a rate in compatible units. The Ethereum mode uses gas units and gwei per gas; the Bitcoin mode uses virtual bytes and satoshis per virtual byte. The asset price only converts the resulting fee into currency units.

Open the calculator: Network Fee & Confirmation Time Estimator. All figures below are hypothetical. CU denotes a consistent currency unit, not a named currency. Field and result names match the English calculator interface.

Example 1: the starting assumptions

Enter 21,000 gas and 20 gwei per gas at 2,000 CU per ETH. For time, enter a 12-second wait to the first inclusion, twelve confirmations and a twelve-second interval. Every timing figure is an assumption.

Entered fields: Fee model: Ethereum: gas × gwei · Gas used estimate / transaction size: 21000 (gas or vB) · Effective gas price / fee rate: 20 (gwei/gas or sat/vB) · Native asset price: 2000 (CU / ETH or BTC) · Required confirmations: 12 (blocks) · Assumed average block interval: 12 (seconds) · Assumed wait until first inclusion: 12 (seconds)

Calculated results: Modelled network fee: 0.00042000 ETH · Fee at entered asset price: 0.84 CU · Confirmation-time scenario: 144.00 seconds · Confirmation-time scenario: 2.40 minutes

• 21,000 × 20 / 1,000,000,000 = 0.00042 ETH
• 0.00042 × 2,000 = 0.84 CU
• 12 + (12 − 1) × 12 = 144 seconds

Example 2: change the inputs

Switch to Bitcoin and enter 140 virtual bytes at 5 sat/vB, with an asset price of 60,000 CU. A 900-second first-inclusion wait and three confirmations at 600-second intervals create a different time scenario.

Entered fields: Fee model: Bitcoin: vB × sat/vB · Gas used estimate / transaction size: 140 (gas or vB) · Effective gas price / fee rate: 5 (gwei/gas or sat/vB) · Native asset price: 60000 (CU / ETH or BTC) · Required confirmations: 3 (blocks) · Assumed average block interval: 600 (seconds) · Assumed wait until first inclusion: 900 (seconds)

Calculated results: Modelled network fee: 0.00000700 BTC · Fee at entered asset price: 0.42 CU · Confirmation-time scenario: 2,100.00 seconds · Confirmation-time scenario: 35.00 minutes

• 140 × 5 = 700 sat; 700 / 100,000,000 = 0.000007 BTC
• 0.000007 × 60,000 = 0.42 CU
• 900 + (3 − 1) × 600 = 2,100 seconds = 35 minutes

What the result leaves out

The tool does not fetch a mempool, gas quote, exchange price or transaction status. Ethereum’s entered rate must represent the effective rate assumed for the example; complex transactions, extra network charges and confirmation policies can differ.

Arithmetic uses unrounded intermediate values; displayed numbers are rounded. These examples document the model, not a provider quote or an observed transaction.

18+. Educational information only. This is not financial, investment, legal or tax advice, and it is not a guarantee of any result. Betting, gambling and crypto involve a risk of losing money. Estimates depend on your inputs; verify current provider terms and local rules.

Practical checklist

• Record the source, units and time of each input.
• Keep fees and principal in their stated units.
• Reproduce both examples before comparing other inputs.
• Read the stated limitations and current provider terms.