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.
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.
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.
