Ethereum Gas

Definition ∞ Ethereum gas is the unit of measurement for the computational effort required to execute operations on the Ethereum blockchain. Each transaction or smart contract interaction consumes a certain amount of gas, which is then paid for in Ether (ETH). The price of gas fluctuates based on network congestion, influencing transaction costs. Understanding gas is essential for estimating the expense of using Ethereum-based applications. Context ∞ Ethereum gas fees are a persistent topic of discussion, particularly during periods of high network activity, impacting the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of decentralized applications. Proposals for gas optimization and fee reduction mechanisms are regularly debated. Monitoring gas prices provides direct insight into network demand and user experience.