Quick Decision: Which Sepolia RPC Should You Use?
For most development and testing on Ethereum Sepolia, a managed RPC endpoint is the fastest way to start. Public endpoints like https://eth-sepolia.api.onfinality.io/public are free and work for light usage, but they can be rate-limited and less reliable under load. If you're building a production-grade dApp, staging environment, or running automated tests that need consistent throughput, consider a dedicated node or a paid RPC plan. OnFinality offers both shared and dedicated Sepolia endpoints, with WebSocket support and archive data options. Check RPC pricing and supported networks to find the right fit for your workload.
Sepolia at a Glance
Sepolia is Ethereum's primary public testnet for developers. It mimics mainnet's proof-of-stake consensus and is designed for testing smart contracts, wallets, and infrastructure before mainnet deployment. Unlike older testnets like Goerli, Sepolia has a smaller validator set and is more stable, making it the recommended choice for most new projects.
Chain Settings for Sepolia
When adding Sepolia to a wallet or configuring a dApp, you need the following network parameters:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Network Name | Ethereum Sepolia |
| RPC URL | https://eth-sepolia.api.onfinality.io/public |
| Chain ID | 11155111 (0xaa36a7) |
| Currency Symbol | ETH |
| Block Explorer | https://sepolia.etherscan.io |
These settings are consistent across all EVM-compatible wallets and tools. The chain ID is critical: using the wrong one can cause transactions to be broadcast to the wrong network.
Adding Sepolia to MetaMask
To add Sepolia to MetaMask manually:
- Open MetaMask and click the network dropdown at the top.
- Click "Add network" or "Custom RPC".
- Enter the chain settings from the table above.
- Click "Save".
Alternatively, you can use a one-click button from services like ChainList, but manual entry ensures you control the RPC endpoint.
Connecting with ethers.js
Here's how to connect to Sepolia using ethers.js in a Node.js environment:
const { ethers } = require("ethers");
const provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider("https://eth-sepolia.api.onfinality.io/public");
async function getBlockNumber() {
const blockNumber = await provider.getBlockNumber();
console.log("Current block number:", blockNumber);
}
getBlockNumber();
For viem:
import { createPublicClient, http } from 'viem';
import { sepolia } from 'viem/chains';
const client = createPublicClient({
chain: sepolia,
transport: http('https://eth-sepolia.api.onfinality.io/public')
});
const blockNumber = await client.getBlockNumber();
console.log(blockNumber);
Getting Test ETH on Sepolia
You need test ETH to pay gas fees on Sepolia. Unlike mainnet, this ETH has no real value. Common faucets include:
- Alchemy Sepolia Faucet – requires an Alchemy account.
- Infura Faucet – requires an Infura account.
- Public faucets – like sepoliafaucet.com, but availability varies.
Faucets often have daily limits and may require you to hold a small amount of mainnet ETH or have a GitHub account. If you're running a CI pipeline, consider requesting a larger allocation from a faucet that supports it.
Debugging Common Sepolia RPC Issues
Even with a reliable endpoint, you may encounter issues. Here are common symptoms and fixes:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
nonce too low |
Transaction nonce mismatch | Reset your account nonce in MetaMask or use eth_getTransactionCount with pending block parameter |
insufficient funds |
No test ETH | Get test ETH from a faucet |
rate limit exceeded |
Too many requests to public endpoint | Use a paid plan or dedicated node |
connection refused |
Wrong RPC URL | Double-check the endpoint URL and network settings |
block not found |
Querying a block beyond the node's sync | Use a full or archive node for historical data |
Using WebSocket for Real-Time Updates
For applications that need real-time data, such as pending transaction monitoring, use a WebSocket endpoint. OnFinality provides WebSocket support for Sepolia. Here's an example using ethers.js:
const { ethers } = require("ethers");
const provider = new ethers.WebSocketProvider("wss://eth-sepolia.api.onfinality.io/public/ws");
provider.on("block", (blockNumber) => {
console.log("New block:", blockNumber);
});
Note: The exact WebSocket URL may differ; check the Sepolia network page for the current endpoint.
Public vs. Dedicated Sepolia RPC
Public endpoints are free and convenient, but they come with trade-offs:
- Rate limits: Public endpoints often limit requests per second, which can break your app under load.
- Reliability: They may go down or become slow during peak usage.
- Privacy: Requests are shared, so sensitive data could be exposed.
For serious development, consider a dedicated node or a paid RPC plan. OnFinality offers dedicated Sepolia nodes with predictable performance and clear rate limits, ideal for staging environments and load testing. See RPC pricing for options.
Key Takeaways
- Sepolia is Ethereum's recommended testnet for development.
- Use the chain ID 11155111 and the RPC URL
https://eth-sepolia.api.onfinality.io/publicto connect. - Public endpoints are fine for light testing, but consider a dedicated node for production-like workloads.
- Always verify your nonce and gas settings when debugging transaction issues.
- WebSocket endpoints enable real-time updates for dApps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RPC URL for Ethereum Sepolia?
The public RPC URL is https://eth-sepolia.api.onfinality.io/public. You can also find other endpoints on the Sepolia network page.
What is the chain ID for Sepolia?
The chain ID is 11155111 (0xaa36a7).
How do I get Sepolia test ETH?
Use a faucet like Alchemy or Infura. You'll need to sign in and provide your wallet address.
Can I use Sepolia for production?
No, Sepolia is a testnet. Use it only for testing and development. For production, deploy to Ethereum mainnet.
What is the difference between Sepolia and Goerli?
Sepolia is the current recommended testnet, while Goerli is deprecated. Sepolia has a more stable validator set and is better maintained.
How do I add Sepolia to my wallet?
Use the chain settings provided in this article. Most wallets allow you to add a custom network.
What is the block explorer for Sepolia?
The official block explorer is https://sepolia.etherscan.io.
Does OnFinality support WebSocket for Sepolia?
Yes, OnFinality provides WebSocket support for Sepolia. Check the network page for the exact URL.
What are the rate limits for the public Sepolia RPC?
Public endpoints have rate limits to ensure fair usage. For higher limits, consider a paid plan or dedicated node.
How do I troubleshoot "nonce too low" errors?
Reset your account nonce in your wallet or use eth_getTransactionCount with the pending block parameter to get the correct nonce.
Related resources
Originally published at OnFinality.
