> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hedera-0c6e0218-fix-asset-tokenization-docs.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Connect to Hedera Networks Over RPC

> Compare the available JSON-RPC providers for Hedera and pick the right endpoint for your project.

The [JSON-RPC Relay](https://github.com/hiero-ledger/hiero-json-rpc-relay) is the open-source service that bridges EVM-style JSON-RPC clients (MetaMask, ethers.js, web3.js, Hardhat, Foundry, viem, etc.) to the Hedera network. You have three ways to access it: use the free public instance ([Hashio](/evm/tutorials/intermediate/json-rpc-connections/hashio)), use a managed third-party provider, or run your own instance.

## Choose a connection option

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Hashio" icon="bolt" href="/evm/tutorials/intermediate/json-rpc-connections/hashio">
    Free public Hiero JSON-RPC Relay instance hosted by Hashgraph. No sign-up required. Best for prototyping and tutorials. Rate-limited.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Validation Cloud" icon="cloud" href="/evm/tutorials/intermediate/json-rpc-connections/validation-cloud">
    Freemium managed JSON-RPC and Mirror Node service. Requires an account but no credit card. Scales for production workloads.
  </Card>

  <Card title="QuickNode" icon="rocket" href="https://www.quicknode.com/docs/hedera">
    Commercial JSON-RPC provider with global edge infrastructure and SLAs. Best for high-throughput production apps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Self-host the Relay" icon="server" href="https://github.com/hiero-ledger/hiero-json-rpc-relay">
    Run your own instance of the open-source Hiero JSON-RPC Relay for full control over rate limits, caching, and infrastructure.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Network support

| Option                          | Mainnet | Testnet | Previewnet | Sign-up |
| ------------------------------- | :-----: | :-----: | :--------: | :-----: |
| **Hashio** (public Hiero Relay) |    ✅    |    ✅    |      ✅     |    ❌    |
| **Validation Cloud**            |    ✅    |    ✅    |      ❌     |    ✅    |
| **QuickNode**                   |    ✅    |    ✅    |      ❌     |    ✅    |
| **Self-hosted Relay**           |    ✅    |    ✅    |      ✅     |    —    |

## Network reference

| Network        | Chain ID (decimal) | Chain ID (hex) | Hashio endpoint                                                        |
| -------------- | :----------------: | :------------: | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mainnet**    |        `295`       |     `0x127`    | [`https://mainnet.hashio.io/api`](https://mainnet.hashio.io/api)       |
| **Testnet**    |        `296`       |     `0x128`    | [`https://testnet.hashio.io/api`](https://testnet.hashio.io/api)       |
| **Previewnet** |        `297`       |     `0x129`    | [`https://previewnet.hashio.io/api`](https://previewnet.hashio.io/api) |

<Warning>
  **Hashio is for development and testing purposes only.** Production use cases are strongly encouraged to use [commercial-grade JSON-RPC relays](/evm/development/json-rpc#community-hosted-json-rpc-relays) or host their own instance of the [Hiero JSON-RPC Relay](https://github.com/hiero-ledger/hiero-json-rpc-relay).
</Warning>

## Additional resources

* [JSON-RPC Relay overview](/evm/development/json-rpc)
* [Community-hosted JSON-RPC relays](/evm/development/json-rpc#community-hosted-json-rpc-relays)
* [Add Hedera to MetaMask](/evm/quickstart/setup-metamask)
* [How to connect MetaMask to Hedera](/evm/tutorials/beginner/connect-metamask)
* [Hiero JSON-RPC Relay on GitHub](https://github.com/hiero-ledger/hiero-json-rpc-relay)

***

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Writer: Brendan, DevRel Engineer">
    [GitHub](https://github.com/bguiz) | [Blog](https://blog.bguiz.com/)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Writer: Aaron, Validation Cloud">
    [GitHub](https://github.com/aaron-cottrell-vc)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Editor: Krystal, Senior DX Engineer">
    [GitHub](https://github.com/theekrystallee) | [X](https://X.com/theekrystallee) | [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/theekrystallee)
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</Columns>