Free Cardano RPC (ADA)

Discover Cardano, a proof-of-stake blockchain designed for sustainable dApps. Explore its unique approach to scalability and security.

99.99%

24/7

FREE

RPC Gateway

Connect to Cardano RPC

Access reliable, enterprise-grade RPC endpoints that power your dApp with ultra-low latency and 99.9% uptime.

Connect to Cardano Gateway

Make your first RPC call on Cardano's Blockchain Gateway.

Mainnet

Explorer

Rosetta API

https://cardano-mainnet.gateway.tatum.io

Preprod

Testnet

Explorer

Rosetta API

https://cardano-preprod.gateway.tatum.io

* Rate limit enabled - perfect for testing and development. For production, we recommend to Upgrade.

Ready for production?

Get 200 requests/second, priority support and advanced blockchain features.

Global Load Balancer

Route to nearest node

Batch RPC Calls

Multiple requests at once

Archive Nodes

Historical blockchain data

Debug & Trace

Advanced debugging

Advanced Analytics

Usage & performance

Bring Your Own RPC

Custom RPC gateways

Upgrade

Get Free API Key

Increase your limit and access all Cardano features in Tatum Development Platform.

Get API Key How to authenticate

Accessible to Everyone

No signup. No paywalls. Just RPC that works. Great ideas come from everywhere.

Our Mission

With love by Tatum

Blockchain Data

Indexed Cardano Data Insights

Complete on-chain data access for Cardano. Query wallets, tokens, NFTs, and transaction history with lightning-fast APIs - no need to run your own nodes.

Get Token Exchange Rates

Check exchange rates for tokens and fiat on Cardano.

1 ADA=? USD

Get UTXOs for a Wallet Address

Fetch all UTXOs for a wallet address on Cardano.

About Cardano

The Cardano RPC documentation provides developers with the tools to interact programmatically with the Cardano blockchain. The guide includes detailed API endpoints for querying blockchain data, managing transactions, and interacting with smart contracts on Cardano’s secure, proof-of-stake (PoS) network. Cardano’s dual-layer architecture, designed for scalability and security, supports the development of decentralized applications in a sustainable manner. Developers can use this documentation to efficiently build and deploy dApps while adhering to Cardano’s best practices.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Cardano RPC endpoints

Quick Answer: What is Cardano RPC?

Cardano RPC (Remote Procedure Call) is an interface that allows developers to interact with the Cardano blockchain. It enables you to read data, send transactions, and deploy smart contracts programmatically using standard JSON-RPC methods. Our free tier provides 5 requests per minute with no registration required, perfect for testing and development. For production applications, upgrade to Tatum Premium for 200 requests per second and enterprise-grade reliability.

What is Cardano RPC?

How do I connect to Cardano using these RPC endpoints?

Simply copy the RPC endpoint URL from above and configure it in your Web3 library (ethers.js, web3.js), wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet), or development tool (Hardhat, Truffle). The endpoint works immediately with no registration required for the free tier.

What are the rate limits for free Cardano RPC?

Free tier RPC endpoints are limited to 5 requests per minute. This is perfect for testing and development. For production applications, we recommend upgrading to Tatum Premium which offers 200 requests per second with no daily limits.

When should I upgrade to Premium?

Consider upgrading to Premium when you're moving to production, need higher rate limits (200 req/sec), require 99.9% uptime SLA, want access to archive nodes for historical data, or need advanced features like batch RPC calls, debug/trace methods, and priority support.

Is Cardano RPC free forever?

Yes! Our free tier Cardano RPC endpoints are free forever with 5 requests per minute. This tier is perfect for learning, testing, and small projects. There are no hidden fees or time limits on the free tier.

What happens if I exceed the free tier rate limit for Cardano RPC?

If you exceed 5 requests per minute on the free tier Cardano RPC, you'll receive an HTTP 429 (Too Many Requests) error. This is a standard rate limiting response. To avoid this, you can upgrade to Tatum Premium which offers 200 requests per second with no daily limits, perfect for production applications.

Can I use these Cardano RPC endpoints with MetaMask?

Yes! You can configure MetaMask to use our Cardano RPC endpoints. Simply copy the endpoint URL from above, go to MetaMask Settings > Networks > Add Network (or edit existing), and paste the RPC URL. This works with all EVM-compatible blockchains including Cardano.

Are the Cardano RPC endpoints secure?

Yes, all our Cardano RPC endpoints use HTTPS encryption and follow enterprise-grade security practices. They're powered by Tatum's infrastructure which maintains 99.99% uptime and is trusted by thousands of developers worldwide.

What's the difference between Cardano mainnet and testnet RPC endpoints?

Mainnet endpoints connect to the live Cardano blockchain where real transactions occur with real assets. Testnet endpoints connect to a separate testing network with free test tokens. Always test your dApp on Cardano testnet before deploying to mainnet.

How do I troubleshoot Cardano RPC connection errors?

If you're experiencing connection errors with Cardano RPC, check: 1) The RPC endpoint URL is correct, 2) You're not exceeding rate limits (5 req/min for free tier), 3) Your network allows HTTPS connections, 4) The Cardano network is currently operational. For persistent issues, check our status page or contact support.

What's the difference between mainnet and testnet?

Mainnet is the live Cardano blockchain where real transactions occur with real assets. Testnet is a separate network used for testing and development with free test tokens. Always test your dApp on testnet before deploying to mainnet.

Can I use these endpoints in production?

Free tier endpoints can be used in production for low-traffic applications (under 5 req/min). For production apps with higher traffic, we strongly recommend Tatum Premium for guaranteed uptime, faster rate limits, and enterprise SLA.

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