eth_getFilterLogs | Base RPC Docs

Returns all logs matching a previously created filter on Base. Essential for initial log retrieval, backfilling event data, and one-time historical queries for consumer dApps, SocialFi, NFT marketplaces, and merchant payment integrations.

Returns an array of all logs matching the filter that was previously created with eth_newFilter on Base. Unlike eth_getFilterChanges which returns only new logs since the last poll, this method returns the complete set of matching logs for the filter's block range.

Why Base? Build on Coinbase's L2 with 54% of L2 market revenue and direct access to 110M+ Coinbase users with $8B+ TVL, $0.08 gas fees, built-in Coinbase distribution, and seamless fiat rails.

When to Use This Method

eth_getFilterLogs is essential for consumer app developers, SocialFi builders, and teams seeking easy fiat onramps:

Initial Log Retrieval — Fetch the complete set of matching logs when you first create a filter on Base
Backfilling Event Data — Recover historical events after an indexer restart or gap in polling
One-Time Queries — Retrieve all logs for a specific block range without incremental polling
Data Reconciliation — Compare against incrementally collected data from eth_getFilterChanges to detect missed events

async function backfillEvents(provider, contractAddress, topics, lastProcessedBlock) {
  const currentBlock = await provider.getBlockNumber();

  // Create a filter covering the gap
  const filterId = await provider.send('eth_newFilter', [{
    fromBlock: '0x' + (lastProcessedBlock + 1).toString(16),
    toBlock: '0x' + currentBlock.toString(16),
    address: contractAddress,
    topics: topics
  }]);

  // Retrieve all logs in the gap
  const logs = await provider.send('eth_getFilterLogs', [filterId]);
  console.log(`Backfilling ${logs.length} events from blocks ${lastProcessedBlock + 1} to ${currentBlock}`);

  for (const log of logs) {
    await processEvent(log);
  }

  // Clean up and switch to incremental polling
  await provider.send('eth_uninstallFilter', [filterId]);
  return currentBlock;
}

2. Compare Filter Results with Direct Query

Verify data consistency between filter-based and direct log queries:

JavaScript

async function verifyFilterResults(provider, filterParams) {
  // Create filter and get logs via eth_getFilterLogs
  const filterId = await provider.send('eth_newFilter', [filterParams]);
  const filterLogs = await provider.send('eth_getFilterLogs', [filterId]);

  // Get logs directly via eth_getLogs
  const directLogs = await provider.send('eth_getLogs', [filterParams]);

  console.log(`Filter logs: ${filterLogs.length}, Direct logs: ${directLogs.length}`);

  if (filterLogs.length !== directLogs.length) {
    console.warn('Mismatch detected — investigate missing events');
  }

  await provider.send('eth_uninstallFilter', [filterId]);
  return { filterLogs, directLogs };
}

3. Paginated Historical Event Loader

Load large volumes of historical events in manageable chunks:

JavaScript

async function loadHistoricalEvents(provider, contractAddress, startBlock, endBlock, chunkSize = 2000) {
  const allLogs = [];

  for (let from = startBlock; from <= endBlock; from += chunkSize) {
    const to = Math.min(from + chunkSize - 1, endBlock);

    const filterId = await provider.send('eth_newFilter', [{
      fromBlock: '0x' + from.toString(16),
      toBlock: '0x' + to.toString(16),
      address: contractAddress
    }]);

    const logs = await provider.send('eth_getFilterLogs', [filterId]);
    allLogs.push(...logs);

    console.log(`Blocks ${from}-${to}: ${logs.length} events (total: ${allLogs.length})`);

    await provider.send('eth_uninstallFilter', [filterId]);
  }

  return allLogs;
}

Error Handling

Common errors and solutions:

Error Code	Description	Solution
-32000	Filter not found	Filter expired or was uninstalled — recreate with `eth_newFilter`
-32000	Query returned more than 10000 results	Narrow the block range in your filter — use smaller `fromBlock`/`toBlock` windows
-32600	Invalid request	Verify the filter ID is a valid hex string
-32603	Internal error	Node may be overloaded — retry with exponential backoff
-32005	Rate limit exceeded	Reduce request frequency or implement client-side rate limiting

JavaScript

async function safeGetFilterLogs(provider, filterId, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
    try {
      return await provider.send('eth_getFilterLogs', [filterId]);
    } catch (error) {
      if (error.message.includes('filter not found')) {
        throw new Error('Filter expired — must recreate before retrying');
      }
      if (error.message.includes('more than 10000 results')) {
        throw new Error('Too many results — narrow your block range');
      }
      if (i < maxRetries - 1) {
        const delay = Math.pow(2, i) * 1000;
        await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, delay));
      } else {
        throw error;
      }
    }
  }
}

eth_newFilter — Create the log filter whose results this method returns
eth_getFilterChanges — Poll for only new logs since the last call (incremental)
eth_getLogs — Query logs directly without creating a filter first
eth_uninstallFilter — Remove a filter when no longer needed

eth_getFilterLogs - Base RPC Method

When to Use This Method

Code Examples

Common Use Cases

1. Backfill Event Data After Indexer Restart

2. Compare Filter Results with Direct Query

3. Paginated Historical Event Loader

Error Handling

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