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eth_maxPriorityFeePerGas - IoTeX RPC Method

Get the suggested priority fee (tip) per gas for EIP-1559 transactions on IoTeX. Essential for gas estimation, fee optimization, and time-sensitive transaction pricing.

Returns the current suggested priority fee (tip) per gas in wei on IoTeX. This is the amount paid directly to validators to incentivize faster transaction inclusion in EIP-1559 compatible blocks.

Why IoTeX? Build on the leading DePIN infrastructure blockchain powering 130+ applications in the $27B+ DePIN ecosystem with W3bstream offchain compute, Quicksilver AI data verification, Vodafone partnership for 5M+ cell tower integration, and ioID device identity.

When to Use This Method

eth_maxPriorityFeePerGas is essential for DePIN builders, IoT device manufacturers, and real-world AI application developers:

  • EIP-1559 Transaction Building — Get the recommended tip to include in maxPriorityFeePerGas when constructing type-2 transactions on IoTeX
  • Fee Optimization — Balance transaction speed against cost by adjusting the priority fee relative to the suggested value
  • Time-Sensitive Transactions — Increase the tip above the suggested value for DEX swaps, liquidations, or other latency-sensitive operations on decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN), IoT device identity (ioID), and AI-verified real-world data
  • Gas Price Estimation — Combine with baseFeePerGas from the latest block to calculate the total maxFeePerGas for accurate fee estimation

Code Examples

Common Use Cases

1. Build an EIP-1559 Transaction

Construct a properly priced type-2 transaction on IoTeX:

JavaScript
import { JsonRpcProvider, Wallet, parseEther } from 'ethers';

const provider = new JsonRpcProvider('https://api-iotex-mainnet.n.dwellir.com/YOUR_API_KEY');

async function buildEIP1559Transaction(privateKey, to, valueEth) {
  const wallet = new Wallet(privateKey, provider);

  // Get current fee data
  const feeData = await provider.getFeeData();
  const latestBlock = await provider.getBlock('latest');
  const baseFee = latestBlock.baseFeePerGas;

  // Set maxPriorityFeePerGas from the suggestion
  const maxPriorityFeePerGas = feeData.maxPriorityFeePerGas;

  // maxFeePerGas = 2 * baseFee + maxPriorityFeePerGas (buffer for base fee increases)
  const maxFeePerGas = baseFee * 2n + maxPriorityFeePerGas;

  const tx = await wallet.sendTransaction({
    to,
    value: parseEther(valueEth),
    type: 2,
    maxPriorityFeePerGas,
    maxFeePerGas
  });

  console.log('Sent with priority fee:', Number(maxPriorityFeePerGas) / 1e9, 'Gwei');
  return tx;
}

2. Dynamic Fee Strategy

Adjust priority fees based on transaction urgency:

JavaScript
async function getFeeByUrgency(provider, urgency = 'standard') {
  const feeData = await provider.getFeeData();
  const basePriorityFee = feeData.maxPriorityFeePerGas;

  const multipliers = {
    low: 0.8,       // Willing to wait
    standard: 1.0,  // Normal speed
    fast: 1.5,      // Faster inclusion
    urgent: 2.0     // Next-block target
  };

  const multiplier = multipliers[urgency] || 1.0;
  const adjustedFee = BigInt(Math.ceil(Number(basePriorityFee) * multiplier));

  const block = await provider.getBlock('latest');
  const maxFeePerGas = block.baseFeePerGas * 2n + adjustedFee;

  return {
    maxPriorityFeePerGas: adjustedFee,
    maxFeePerGas
  };
}

// Usage
const fees = await getFeeByUrgency(provider, 'fast');
console.log('Priority fee:', Number(fees.maxPriorityFeePerGas) / 1e9, 'Gwei');
console.log('Max fee:', Number(fees.maxFeePerGas) / 1e9, 'Gwei');

3. Priority Fee Monitor

Track priority fee changes over time on IoTeX:

JavaScript
async function monitorPriorityFee(provider, interval = 12000) {
  let previousFee = null;

  setInterval(async () => {
    const feeData = await provider.getFeeData();
    const currentFee = feeData.maxPriorityFeePerGas;
    const feeGwei = Number(currentFee) / 1e9;

    if (previousFee !== null) {
      const change = Number(currentFee - previousFee) / Number(previousFee) * 100;
      const direction = change > 0 ? 'UP' : change < 0 ? 'DOWN' : 'STABLE';
      console.log(`Priority fee: ${feeGwei.toFixed(4)} Gwei (${direction} ${Math.abs(change).toFixed(1)}%)`);
    } else {
      console.log(`Priority fee: ${feeGwei.toFixed(4)} Gwei`);
    }

    previousFee = currentFee;
  }, interval);
}

Error Handling

Common errors and solutions:

Error CodeDescriptionSolution
-32601Method not foundThe node may not support EIP-1559 — fall back to eth_gasPrice
-32603Internal errorRetry with exponential backoff
-32005Rate limit exceededImplement rate limiting and caching client-side
JavaScript
async function getSafePriorityFee(provider, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
    try {
      const feeData = await provider.getFeeData();
      if (feeData.maxPriorityFeePerGas !== null) {
        return feeData.maxPriorityFeePerGas;
      }
      // Fallback: derive from legacy gas price
      const gasPrice = await provider.send('eth_gasPrice', []);
      return BigInt(gasPrice);
    } catch (error) {
      if (error.code === -32601) {
        // EIP-1559 not supported — use legacy gas price
        const gasPrice = await provider.send('eth_gasPrice', []);
        return BigInt(gasPrice);
      }
      if (i === maxRetries - 1) throw error;
      await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, Math.pow(2, i) * 1000));
    }
  }
}