How to add a custom network on MetaMask
2 - 3 minutes
While a MetaMask wallet automatically connects to the Ethereum network by default, you can still use it to connect to other networks. Here, we show you how to add a custom network to MetaMask so that you can use it to transact in other networks.
Topics to read before diving into this course:
At the end of this course, you will be able to answer the following questions:
How do I add a custom network on MetaMask?
Networks are computers connected to each other serving as the backbone of blockchain technology. There are many different blockchains with different capabilities. For example, the Bitcoin blockchain, which started it all, allows for monetary transactions, and each transaction has a message attached to it that reflects the details of that transaction. The Ethereum blockchain, on the other hand, not only allows for monetary transactions, but also has smart contract capabilities which makes it possible to construct decentralized apps (dApps) and host DAOs. Such is also the case for other blockchains such as the Binance Smart Chain, but with less gas fees and faster transaction speeds.
Your MetaMask wallet’s default network is the Ethereum blockchain, but it can also connect to other networks. You can add “custom networks” to it as needed as long as you know the details of that network such as its new RPC URL, chain ID, symbol, and block explorer URL. Some of the most popular custom networks that we can add on Metamask are:
Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
Polygon ($MATIC)
Avalanche ($AVAX)
Here are the steps to adding a custom network to your MetaMask wallet.
Step 1 - Log into your MetaMask Wallet#Copy URL to this article section
Log in to your MetaMask account through your web browser extension.
The MetaMask browser extension only requires you to encode your password when you have completed setting it up
Step 2 - Go to Settings > Networks#Copy URL to this article section
Open your Account profile (top right corner) and look for the Settings tab.
Next, proceed to the tab labeled as “Networks”.
Settings on Account profile
Networks on Settings
Step 3 - Add Custom Network using Network Configuration List#Copy URL to this article section
Select “Add Network”
Tap "Add Network"
To add a specific network, you will be asked for its configuration. You may refer to the table below for the details of the custom network you want to add:
Network Name | New RPC URL | Chain ID | Symbol | Block Explorer URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Polygon | https://polygon-rpc.com/ | 137 | MATIC | https://polygonscan.com/ |
Smart Chain (Binance Smart Chain) | https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org/ | 56 | BNB | https://bscscan.com |
Avalanche Network | https://api.avax.network/ext/bc/C/rpc | 43114 | AVAX | https://snowtrace.io/ |
Check if you have entered the correct data, then click "Save".
Encoding the configuration for Binance Smart Chain and saving
The network should appear on your Network Field.
Network Field including Binance Smart Chain after adding it as a network
Congratulations! You have successfully added a network on your MetaMask wallet. You can now use your MetaMask wallet to transact in that network.