Tools · Lightning vs On-Chain

Lightning vs on-chain:
when does each make sense?

Sending a small amount? Large amount? The math on when Lightning saves money vs on-chain, based on your payment size and the current fee environment.

Check current: mempool.space ↗

100 ppm = 0.01% typical. Higher for obscure routes.

ON-CHAIN
FEE (SATS)
0
FEE (USD)
$0
LIGHTNING
FEE (SATS)
0
FEE (USD)
$0
VERDICT

Lightning fees vary by route and liquidity. These are typical estimates. Large Lightning payments sometimes fail due to liquidity limits on intermediate channels.

What this tool assumes
  • Lightning fees are routing-dependent; 1 sat + 0.001% is a common baseline.
  • On-chain fees depend on sat/vB rate and transaction weight.

Estimates only. Actual routing fees on Lightning vary widely.

Related

→ How It Works → Lightning Network Guide → Fee Estimator
HOW THIS IS CALCULATED

This tool runs entirely in your browser — no data is sent to any server. All formulas use standard financial math. Verify the methodology or inspect the source code in your browser's dev tools.