Adding the Polygon network to MetaMask sounds intimidating the first time. It is actually a five-tap job once you know where to look. This walkthrough shows the two safe ways to do it — the built-in list and the manual custom-network form — plus how to fund the wallet and avoid the classic bridge mistake.
Why you would add Polygon in the first place
Polygon is a separate blockchain designed to move Ethereum-style tokens quickly and cheaply. If you have ever paid 30 dollars in gas to move a small stablecoin balance on Ethereum, Polygon is the answer people usually reach for. The token that pays gas on Polygon is called MATIC (rebranded to POL for some contracts; both names still appear in wallets in 2026). Everything you do on Polygon needs a small MATIC balance to cover fees.
MetaMask started life as an Ethereum wallet, so it does not show Polygon by default. Adding it just tells MetaMask, "please also talk to this other network." If you are new to MetaMask itself, see our full MetaMask Polygon setup guide for the complete first-time flow.
The built-in way, recommended
Newer MetaMask versions ship with a curated list of popular networks. This is the safest option because you cannot mistype a URL.
- Open MetaMask and tap the network selector at the top (it usually says "Ethereum Mainnet").
- Tap "Add network."
- Under "Popular custom networks," find Polygon Mainnet.
- Tap "Add" and confirm the prompt. MetaMask fills in the RPC URL, chain ID, and currency symbol for you.
- Switch the network selector to Polygon Mainnet.
That is it. Your wallet address stays the same — MetaMask uses the same address across Ethereum-style networks. The balance you see is just Polygon-side now.
The manual way, if your app does not list it
Some older MetaMask builds ask for the details by hand. Use the values below.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Network name | Polygon Mainnet |
| New RPC URL | https://polygon-rpc.com |
| Chain ID | 137 |
| Currency symbol | MATIC (or POL) |
| Block explorer URL | https://polygonscan.com |
Only copy these details from a source you trust — the Polygon docs, a well-known wallet guide, or this page. Fake network configs can point your wallet at a hostile RPC that spies on your activity. If you are unsure, stick with the built-in list.
Funding your new Polygon wallet
An empty Polygon wallet cannot do anything, because it needs MATIC for gas. There are two normal ways to add funds.
- Buy directly on an exchange that supports Polygon withdrawals. Buy MATIC or a stablecoin, and when you withdraw, pick "Polygon" as the network. Send it to your MetaMask address.
- Bridge from Ethereum. A bridge like the official Polygon Portal moves tokens from Ethereum to Polygon. This costs Ethereum gas, so it is worth it only for larger transfers.
Warning: sending tokens on the wrong network is the most common way people lose coins. If your exchange offers MATIC via ERC-20 and via Polygon, pick Polygon when you are sending to your MetaMask Polygon wallet. If in doubt, send a small test amount first. Our hot vs cold wallets guide also covers where to hold larger MATIC balances.
Sending your first transaction on Polygon
Once you have MATIC in the wallet, the flow is the same as Ethereum, only faster and cheaper. Pick "Send," paste the destination address, choose the token, and confirm. Fees on Polygon are usually a few cents. Transactions confirm in a couple of seconds. To claim tokens from an airdrop on Polygon, follow the same process — see our airdrop primer if you have not claimed one before.
To wrap up on "add Polygon to MetaMask wallet": the whole job is one network switch, one funding transfer, and a habit of double-checking the network before you send. Do those three things and you can move around Polygon without stress.