Lightning Network Fee Estimator.
Real-time Lightning Network stats (channels, capacity, avg fee) plus a fee estimator comparing on-chain vs Lightning Network cost for any amount.
Understanding your results.
A rigorous breakdown of the mathematical equations, market assumptions, and step-by-step calculations powering this tool.
The dashboard shows real-time public stats from the Bitcoin Lightning Network:
- Nodes - active routing nodes participating in the network
- Channels - total public payment channels (more = better routing)
- Network capacity - total BTC locked across all public channels
- Average channel size - mean BTC per channel, indicating retail vs institutional composition
Common mistake: confusing total capacity with transaction volume. Capacity is just the BTC sitting in channels waiting to route payments. The actual transaction volume over Lightning is many multiples higher than on-chain Bitcoin, since channels can process thousands of micropayments before closing.
How to use this tool.
Step-by-step workflow instructions to get the most accurate calculations for your trading strategy.
Live public stats from the Bitcoin Lightning Network: nodes, channels, network capacity, and average channel size. Data is sourced from 1ml.com and various public Lightning explorers. Stats update every few minutes but may lag actual network state by 10 - 30 minutes depending on node propagation.
Pro tip: the average channel size is a useful metric if you're deciding how much liquidity to commit to your own Lightning node. Aim for at or slightly above the network average for good routing performance.
Lightning Network-ready tools
Use these tools alongside Lightning for lower-cost Bitcoin transactions:
Need BTC fast? ChangeNOW swaps 900+ coins with no account and no custody - funds go straight to your wallet.
Swap on ChangeNOWCompare on-chain vs Lightning costs across providers - know when to use each network.
Compare feesPayment method comparison.
| Provider / Method | Network / Type | Est. fee range | Speed | KYC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning Network | Off-chain | Varies by node | ~1-5 seconds | None | Best for small, frequent payments |
| On-chain Bitcoin | Blockchain | Depends on mempool | 10-60 minutes | None | Best for large amounts (>$100) |
| Bybit | Card, P2P | 1.0-2.0% | Instant | Full KYC | Exchange with LN support |
| Binance | SEPA, Card, P2P | 0.5-2.5% | Instant-1 day | Full KYC | Exchange with LN withdrawals |
| ChangeNOW | SEPA, Card | 0.5-1.5% | Instant-1 day | Threshold-based | Swap service with LN support |
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, AHCrypto may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Privacy & safety.
Data sourced from public Lightning Network explorers (1ml.com, Amboss, Mempool.space). Values are estimates and may trail the live network by 10 - 30 minutes. No personal data is collected.
This tool is for informational purposes. The Lightning Network involves financial risk. Only allocate funds to Lightning channels that you can afford to lose.
Safety & alternatives.
Avoid these mistakes
- Don't open channels you can't close. Lightning channels lock up funds until you close them. If you don't have enough inbound liquidity, you may struggle to receive payments.
- Watch your fees. On-chain fees to open and close channels can add up, especially during network congestion. The fee estimator on this tool helps you decide when it's worth it.
If you prefer a custodial Lightning wallet
Custodial Lightning wallets like Wallet of Satoshi and Breez manage channels for you in exchange for a small fee. They're easier to use but require trust in the provider. For self-custody, consider Phoenix or Zeus paired with your own node.
