Cardano Min ADA Calculator: Minimum UTxO for Tokens

Cardano Minimum ADA (min UTxO) Calculator

On Cardano every transaction output must carry some ADA, and the more tokens it holds the more ADA it needs. That is why sending an NFT or a native token attaches 1–2 ADA to it, and why a wallet sometimes refuses to send "all ADA" while tokens remain. Enter what the output contains to estimate the minimum ADA and the fee.

Output	bytes	ADA
ADA only	≈ 65	≈ 0.97
1 NFT (10-char name)	≈ 118	≈ 1.198
5 tokens, one policy	≈ 188	≈ 1.5
10 tokens, 5 policies	≈ 402	≈ 2.422

Output

bytes

ADA

ADA only

≈ 65

≈ 0.97

1 NFT (10-char name)

≈ 118

≈ 1.198

5 tokens, one policy

≈ 188

≈ 1.5

10 tokens, 5 policies

≈ 402

≈ 2.422

The rule since the Babbage era

The ledger requires each output to hold at least its own size in bytes, plus a constant overhead of 160 bytes, multiplied by the protocol parameter coinsPerUTxOByte, currently 4,310 lovelace. An output with only ADA to a normal address is about 65 bytes, so its minimum is close to 0.97 ADA. Each additional policy ID adds 28 bytes plus encoding, and each token adds its name and quantity.

min ADA (lovelace) = (160 + output size in bytes) × 4,310
fee (lovelace)     = 44 × transaction size in bytes + 155,381
1 ADA              = 1,000,000 lovelace

What this means in practice

Sending a token: the output that carries it also carries the minimum ADA, which the recipient receives together with the token. It is not burned or paid to anyone.
Selling all your ADA while holding tokens: the wallet must keep enough ADA for the change output that holds your remaining tokens. That is the "not enough ADA" error.
Exchanges that receive native tokens usually require you to send the token with the minimum ADA attached; most wallets add it automatically.
Datums and reference scripts make the output bigger, so DeFi outputs need more ADA than simple payments.

Accuracy

The output size here is estimated from the number of policies, tokens and the total length of token names; real CBOR encoding varies by a few bytes, which changes the minimum by a few thousandths of an ADA. The fee uses the linear fee parameters (44 lovelace per byte plus 155,381); transactions with scripts add execution costs on top. Your wallet computes the exact values when it builds the transaction.

Frequently asked questions

+What is the minimum ADA to send?

About 0.97 ADA for an output that holds only ADA, and more for outputs with tokens. Wallets will not create an output below the minimum.

+Why did my NFT transfer cost 1.2 ADA?

Most of it is the minimum ADA attached to the NFT output; the recipient receives it with the NFT. The actual network fee is usually around 0.17–0.2 ADA.

+How big is a normal Cardano fee?

A simple payment of 250–400 bytes costs 44 × size + 155,381 lovelace, about 0.166–0.173 ADA.

+Can I get the attached ADA back?

The ADA belongs to whoever owns the output. If you consolidate tokens into fewer outputs, the freed minimum ADA returns to your spendable balance.

Calculations run entirely in your browser; nothing you type is sent to KOT.CASH. Results are estimates for information only and are not financial, tax or legal advice.