Arbitrum RPC
What is Arbitrum?
Arbitrum is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that uses optimistic rollup technology to reduce transaction costs and increase throughput while maintaining Ethereum's security. Built by Offchain Labs, Arbitrum processes transactions off-chain and submits compressed batches to Ethereum mainnet, achieving up to 90% lower gas fees and faster confirmation times.
Arbitrum operates using an optimistic execution model. It assumes transactions are valid by default but includes a 7-day challenge period where validators can dispute fraudulent transactions through an interactive fraud-proof system. This design allows Arbitrum to inherit Ethereum's security guarantees while providing a fully EVM-compatible environment where existing Solidity smart contracts and dApps can deploy without modification.
The network uses ArbOS, a custom operating system that manages the execution environment and handles cross-chain messaging through its retryable tickets system, enabling communication between L1 and L2.
Interacting with Arbitrum
The Arbitrum JSON-RPC API extends the standard Ethereum JSON-RPC interface with Layer 2-specific functionality. Since Arbitrum maintains byte-level EVM compatibility, developers can use familiar tools like Ethers.js and Foundry without modification.
With this API, you can:
- Execute all standard Ethereum JSON-RPC methods (eth_call, eth_sendTransaction, etc.)
- Access Arbitrum-specific methods for L2 operations (arbtrace_block, arbtrace_replayTransaction)
- Subscribe to real-time events via WebSocket connections
You can access the API by:
- Running a local Arbitrum node (Nitro client)
- Using a hosted provider such as a QuickNode Arbitrum endpoint, which provides instant access to both Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Nova networks with built-in reliability and archive data support
Supported Networks
QuickNode provides access to the following Arbitrum networks:
Complete reference for developers building on Arbitrum with QuickNode:
QuickStart
Get started with Arbitrum quickly. Follow our step-by-step quickstart to set up your endpoint and make your first API request.
Provider Endpoints
Learn how to configure and manage your Arbitrum endpoints for optimal performance and reliability.
API Overview
Explore supported APIs, networks, QuickNode products, and enhanced API features for building powerful applications.
Marketplace
Discover and integrate powerful add-ons and tools from the QuickNode Marketplace to enhance your web3 applications.
Endpoint Security
Secure your endpoints with authentication, whitelisting, and best security practices.
Error Codes
Understand common error codes and troubleshooting steps for Arbitrum API requests.