The Graph
Blockchain indexing network where developers publish subgraphs and query onchain data over GraphQL.
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The Graph key facts
| Category | Developer infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Chains | 60+ networks |
| Platforms | Web, API |
| Pricing | $2 per 100,000 queries after the free tier |
| Free plan | 100,000 queries per month |
| Token | GRT |
| Chains | 60+ networks |
| Open source | Yes, graph-node on GitHub |
| US availability | Available: terms restrict only sanctioned jurisdictions |
GRT token
- Price
- $0.0184 -0.7% 24h
- Market cap
- $201.6M
- Fully diluted value
- $214M
- 30-day change
- -32.3%
Market data: CoinGecko, updated Nov 9, 2026. Educational content, not financial advice.
What is The Graph?
The Graph is blockchain data infrastructure that indexes onchain data into subgraphs and Substreams across 60+ networks. Its docs say it served over 1.27 trillion queries to more than 75,000 projects as of early 2026. Subgraph Studio gives 100,000 free queries a month, then $2 per 100,000 queries.
How The Graph works
A subgraph is defined by three files: a manifest (subgraph.yaml) listing contracts, start blocks and events, a GraphQL schema (schema.graphql), and AssemblyScript mappings (mapping.ts) that turn raw events into entities.
Indexers run graph-node, process the chain from the start block and serve the resulting entities over GraphQL. For high-throughput needs, Substreams processes blocks in parallel and streams data such as trades, liquidity and liquidation events with low latency.
Deployment has two stages. A subgraph pushed to Subgraph Studio is indexed by the Upgrade Indexer, a single Indexer operated by The Graph Foundation; it is free, rate-limited and not public, meant for testing and staging. Publishing is an onchain transaction on Arbitrum One that lists the subgraph in Graph Explorer, removes rate limits and opens it to the decentralized Indexers. Curators add GRT signal to attract indexing, and the quick-start guide recommends 3,000+ GRT of curation.
How to start with The Graph
- You need a crypto wallet, a contract already deployed on a supported network, and Node.js.
- Connect the wallet in Subgraph Studio and create a subgraph, install the CLI with npm install -g @graphprotocol/graph-cli, run graph init with the contract address and start block, then graph codegen && graph build and graph deploy with the deploy key from Studio.
- When it works, click Publish, or run graph publish from the CLI.
- Query fees are tied to the API keys you create in Studio.
The Graph fees and limits
- Past that, the Growth Plan bills usage at $2 per 100,000 queries, invoiced at the end of each month.
The Free Plan covers 100,000 queries a month with full access to Studio testing. Card payments run through Stripe and need an active card on file. The only crypto accepted is GRT, held in a billing contract on Arbitrum One; you need ETH on Arbitrum for gas, and prepaying several months does not commit you to that usage. GRT deposited from Arbitrum lands within moments, while GRT sent from Ethereum mainnet takes about 15 to 20 minutes to process. You can withdraw unused GRT from the billing balance at any time; the withdrawal is a signed transaction that costs gas and returns GRT to your Arbitrum wallet. Publishing a subgraph and adding curation signal are onchain transactions with their own gas costs.
Risks to know before using The Graph
- Before you publish, your data depends on one Foundation-run Upgrade Indexer with rate limits.
- After publishing, independent Indexers choose what to serve, and the docs tie indexing incentives to curation signal, so a subgraph published without signal has less pull on them.
- If you pay in GRT, queries beyond the free quota need a sufficient balance in the billing contract.
- Billing lives on Arbitrum One, so moving GRT from Ethereum adds a bridge step.
The Graph usage
From DefiLlama (fees users paid), updated Nov 9, 2026.
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Where The Graph ranks on DappAtlas
Listed next to The Graph
The Graph pros and cons
- 100,000 free queries every month
- Usage billing at $2 per 100,000 queries, payable by card or crypto
- Indexer software is public on GitHub
- Paying in crypto means managing a GRT billing balance
- Subgraphs must be written and deployed before querying
- Query results depend on third-party Indexers syncing each subgraph
The Graph FAQ
What is The Graph?
The Graph is blockchain data infrastructure that indexes onchain data into subgraphs and Substreams across 60+ networks. Its docs say it served over 1.27 trillion queries to more than 75,000 projects as of early 2026. Subgraph Studio gives 100,000 free queries a month, then $2 per 100,000 queries.
Which chains does The Graph support?
60+ networks.
How much does The Graph cost?
$2 per 100,000 queries after the free tier, according to The Graph’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026). Free plan: 100,000 queries per month.
How much do users pay The Graph in fees?
$12,145.3 over the last 30 days, according to DefiLlama on Nov 9, 2026.
Does The Graph have a token?
Yes, GRT. Its market cap was $201.6M on CoinGecko on Nov 9, 2026. Educational content, not financial advice.
Is The Graph available in the US?
Available: terms restrict only sanctioned jurisdictions, according to The Graph’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).
Sources
How this page works
Sources: The Graph: official site, The Graph: Subgraph Studio pricing, The Graph: Docs, About The Graph. Data as of Sep 26, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.