How Solana processes a transaction: submission to confirmation
Solana sends your signed transaction to a validator, which executes and confirms it. A wallet with SOL pays the fee, and an explorer shows status.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- You sign before the transaction leaves your wallet.
- A validator executes and confirms the transaction.
- An explorer shows whether it confirmed.
How does Solana process transactions? Solana sends a signed transaction to a validator that executes and confirms it. To send one, you need a Solana wallet with SOL for the fee. You create, sign, and submit it, then check its status.
What do you need before you start?
You need a Solana wallet that can hold SOL and sign transactions. SOL pays the network fee, and you need the recipient's Solana address.
How does Solana process a transaction step by step?
Solana processes a transaction by sending it to a validator that executes and confirms it. Your wallet creates and signs it first.
- 1Create the transactionEnter the recipient's address and amount. Your wallet builds the message.
- 2Review and sign itCheck the address and amount, then approve. Your wallet signs it.
- 3Submit it to RPCYour wallet sends it to an RPC node. The node forwards it to Solana.
- 4Execute on a validatorA validator runs the instructions. Sealevel can execute non-conflicting contracts at once.
- 5Receive confirmationThe validator includes it in a block and votes. The network confirms it.
What should you do after sending a transaction?
After sending, check the transaction on a Solana explorer, such as Solscan or Solana Explorer. The IRS treats crypto as property: buying with US dollars is not taxable, but trading one crypto for another or paying with crypto is.
- Open Solscan or Solana Explorer and paste the signature.
- Save the signature, date, amount, and fee.
- Protect your seed phrase and check wallet access.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Two common mistakes are setting a priority fee too low and ignoring congestion. A priority fee is an optional extra payment that can help validators include your transaction when busy.
Frequently asked questions
Most confirm in a few seconds, but congestion and the priority fee can delay them. A busy network can make a transaction expire.
A priority fee is an optional extra fee you add to make validators more likely to include your transaction when the network is busy.
A failed transaction does not change the ledger, so the transfer does not go through. The network may still charge a fee for the work.
You cannot cancel it once it is submitted. It will confirm, fail, or expire if validators do not include it.
