Seeing a "Not enough BTC to cover network fee" message when sending Bitcoin, and don't know what this means? Don't worry, we have you covered.
When you send Bitcoin (BTC) to someone else, especially the first time, you might get an unexpected error message like “Not enough Bitcoin to cover the network fee.” But don't worry, seeing this alert is no big deal as it is easy to resolve.
Similar to a toll on a busy highway, the Bitcoin Network charges a transaction fee to ensure transactions are processed and confirmed by miners. Error messages like the one above are usually due to your BTC balance being under the threshold needed to pay these fees.
To provide more clarity, this guide will show you why these Bitcoin miner fees exist, and how you can send Bitcoin correctly the first time (and every time) moving forward.
Let's dive right in!
“Not enough Bitcoin to cover the network fee” is a common error when starting out:
Your wallet’s software usually figures the amount of fees needed based on factors like network congestion. You’ll see the error message if your balance won’t cover both, which happens when you try to send your entire balance without taking miner fees into account.
Bitcoin fees incentivize miners to confirm your transaction more quickly. On the Bitcoin Network, all transactions are competing for limited space in “the next block”—each of which can only hold so much data. To be included, your transaction becomes more attractive to miners if you’re willing to offer a higher fee.
The key factors affecting fees include:
The Bitcoin network functions differently than some others, like Ethereum, which have “gas fees” as opposed to “transaction fees.” But you either pay enough to prioritize your transaction, or you risk waiting until congestion dies down.
Different “wallets” or “exchanges” often estimate fees in slightly different ways. Some apps just offer the lowest fee options by default, while more sophisticated ones might set a recommended fee for you based on current network congestion. Keep in mind:
If you only have a little bit of Bitcoin in your wallet, you might get an “NSF notice” of sorts (non-sufficient funds), especially if fees happen to be spiking. This is particularly true if your balance is close to what’s known as “dust”—a tiny remainder of BTC that can’t practically be spent, due to the amount of fees needed actually exceeding your UTXO’s total value.
In such cases, you could end up stuck and unable to move that small portion of Bitcoin without adding more BTC first.
During market spikes or on important breaking news events, the Bitcoin network can get very congested. At times like this, users expect:
Another common scenario is when a user forgets that they have to have enough bitcoin in their wallet to pay the miner fee plus their transaction amount.
For instance, if sending 0.1 BTC costs 0.0003 BTC (30,000 satoshis) in fees, your wallet will refuse to even try sending the transaction, if you only have 0.1 BTC total. Some wallets have a “Send All Funds” function that automatically deducts fees, but if you manually enter the full amount, you may encounter the “not enough BTC to cover the network fee” error.
The most straightforward approach is to purchase/transfer more bitcoin to your wallet to cover the expected network fees. For example, if you hold 0.005 BTC and the send fee is 0.0005 BTC (you can always check this first), just add a little bit more to your wallet’s balance.
You can either:
Once your wallet has enough bitcoin to cover both your main transaction plus the fee, you should be able to send successfully.
If you have a wallet that supports RBF (replace by fee) custom fee functionality, you simply lower or raise the fee based on your priorities:
Transaction costs on the Bitcoin network fluctuate throughout the day, and sometimes within the same day. If confirmation time is not your major concern, waiting can be surprisingly effective. This is because when there are fewer people transacting at once, the miner fees drop, so your smaller balance may become enough to cover how much you need.
There are great tools, like mempool explorers or fee estimators, to help you plan your send when the network isn’t as busy. If you’re tight on Bitcoin but do have some time, lower fees will reward the patient.
Before you hit the send button, you must confirm your wallet or exchange’s suggestion on fees, as most modern wallet software includes a quick snapshot of the current fees for low, medium, or high priority confirmations. Check these to know:
A good buffer covers you for when miner fees spike upwards unexpectedly. For example, if you want to send 0.01 BTC, keeping at least 0.001 BTC extra can serve as a good buffer amount for transaction fees. “Best practices” dictates that you plan for the expected fluctuations and hold just a small balance of satoshis in your wallet beyond what you plan to send/spend anytime soon.
The Bitcoin network isn’t your only option. The Lightning Network is a popular Layer 2 solution for sending smaller Bitcoin transactions “off chain”, thus nearly eliminating Layer 1 Bitcoin miners’ on-chain transaction fees and confirmation times.
Working with Layer 2 channels requires some setup time, plus work to understand proper use of tools like Lightning channels and wallets. But using Bitcoin’s Layer 2 solutions is ideal for those who are often sending smaller amounts, or who want near-instant transfers at a very low cost.
Transaction fees and transaction speeds go hand in hand. When the fee you’ve included isn’t competitive, it might take hours or even days for miners to confirm your transaction, if at all. Conversely, paying a higher fee could see your transaction cleared in the next block, often within 10 minutes on average.
For more on how Bitcoin transactions are processed and confirmed, check out our in-depth guide on how long it takes for Bitcoin to send and receive. This dives much deeper into Bitcoin confirmation mechanics and mempool dynamics, plus some strategies to avoid long waits.
Accidental wrong chain: Some crypto holders confuse the Ethereum network, BNB, or Polygon for Bitcoin, or they try to send tokens like USDC or ERC-20 coins thinking they are the same as under the impression it’s BTC. That mix-up can lead to lost funds. Always confirm you’re using BTC addresses when using Bitcoin.
Account verification: On wallet or exchange platforms like Coinbase or Binance, you may need to verify your email or identity to withdraw. Failing to do so could result in an inability to move funds. If you see an error even though you have a coin balance, you might need to check your inbox for any verification requests.
When sending your Bitcoin from an exchange, always be aware of the:
Before you finalize a transaction, check how much the total fees are so you’re not caught off guard. Most platforms show you the cost breakdown before proceeding.
Encountering the “not enough BTC to cover the network fee” error is simply a reminder that transaction fees are also going to be due in your transaction’s total every time you move Bitcoin. Therefore, your wallet balance has to cover both the amount you want to send, plus transaction fees.
This error is a common occurrence many new users run into, and it is easy to resolve. You can wait for lower fees, add more BTC to your wallet, or explore your available lower-fee strategies. Remember to maintain a small buffer of bitcoin balance and also keep an eye on mempool conditions.
Over time, you’ll get a feel for the ebbs and flows of Bitcoin’s transaction costs. This knowledge goes a long way toward eliminating frustrating holdups that prevent you from making quick,cost-effective, and stress-free Bitcoin sends.
By understanding the fundamentals of confirmation times and the network’s mechanics, you’ll be ready to use Bitcoin with confidence.