How to Add a Custom Network to MetaMask 2026 (All Chains)

## Anti-Loss Protocol: Read This First Adding a custom network to MetaMask is safe when you use official RPC URLs. But scammers publish fake RPC endpoints that can steal your transaction history or front-run your trades. Never copy an RPC URL from a random Twitter post or Telegram group. Always verify against the network's official documentation. This guide gives you verified RPC details for every major network in 2026, plus the exact steps to add them in under 60 seconds. --- ## How to Add a Custom Network (Step by Step) ### Method 1: Manual Entry (Works for Any Network) 1. Open MetaMask and click the **network dropdown** at the top left (it usually says "Ethereum Mainnet"). 2. Click **"Add network"** at the bottom of the dropdown. 3. Click **"Add a network manually"** at the bottom of the next screen. 4. Fill in the five fields (see the tables below for verified values). 5. Click **"Save"** -- MetaMask will test the RPC connection and switch to the new network. ### Method 2: One-Click Add (Chainlist) For most networks, you can skip manual entry entirely: 1. Go to **[chainlist.org](https://chainlist.org)** 2. Connect your MetaMask wallet 3. Search for the network you want (e.g., "Arbitrum") 4. Click **"Add to MetaMask"** 5. Approve the prompt in MetaMask Chainlist pulls RPC details from the official chain registry, so it's safer than copying from random sources. But always verify the Chain ID matches the table below. --- ## Verified RPC Details for Every Major Network (July 2026) ### Ethereum Layer 2 Networks | Network | RPC URL | Chain ID | Currency | Block Explorer | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Arbitrum One** | https://arb1.arbitrum.io/rpc | 42161 | ETH | https://arbiscan.io | | **Base** | https://mainnet.base.org | 8453 | ETH | https://basescan.org | | **Optimism** | https://mainnet.optimism.io | 10 | ETH | https://optimistic.etherscan.io | | **zkSync Era** | https://mainnet.era.zksync.io | 324 | ETH | https://explorer.zksync.io | | **Scroll** | https://rpc.scroll.io | 534352 | ETH | https://scrollscan.com | | **Linea** | https://rpc.linea.build | 59144 | ETH | https://lineascan.build | | **Starknet** | https://starknet-mainnet.public.blastapi.io | 23448594291968334 | ETH | https://starkscan.co | | **Blast** | https://rpc.blast.io | 81457 | ETH | https://blastscan.io | | **Mantle** | https://rpc.mantle.xyz | 5000 | MNT | https://explorer.mantle.xyz | | **Mode** | https://mainnet.mode.network | 34443 | ETH | https://explorer.mode.network | | **Polygon zkEVM** | https://zkevm-rpc.com | 1101 | ETH | https://zkevm.polygonscan.com | ### Alternative Layer 1 Networks | Network | RPC URL | Chain ID | Currency | Block Explorer | |---|---|---|---|---| | **BNB Smart Chain** | https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org | 56 | BNB | https://bscscan.com | | **Polygon PoS** | https://polygon-rpc.com | 137 | MATIC | https://polygonscan.com | | **Avalanche C-Chain** | https://api.avax.network/ext/bc/C/rpc | 43114 | AVAX | https://snowtrace.io | | **Fantom** | https://rpc.fantom.network | 250 | FTM | https://ftmscan.com | | **Celo** | https://forno.celo.org | 42220 | CELO | https://celoscan.io | | **Gnosis** | https://rpc.gnosischain.com | 100 | xDAI | https://gnosisscan.io | | **Near Protocol** | https://rpc.mainnet.near.org | 1313161554 | NEAR | https://nearblocks.io | | **Harmony** | https://api.harmony.one | 1666600000 | ONE | https://explorer.harmony.one | ### Test Networks (For Developers) | Network | RPC URL | Chain ID | Currency | Block Explorer | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Sepolia (Ethereum Testnet)** | https://sepolia.infura.io/v3/ | 11155111 | SepoliaETH | https://sepolia.etherscan.io | | **Arbitrum Sepolia** | https://sepolia-rollup.arbitrum.io/rpc | 421614 | ETH | https://sepolia.arbiscan.io | | **Base Sepolia** | https://sepolia.base.org | 84532 | ETH | https://sepolia.basescan.org | --- ## Common Errors When Adding a Network (and Fixes) ### "Could not fetch chain ID. Is your RPC URL correct?" This means the RPC URL is wrong or the server is down. Fixes: - Double-check the URL for typos (no trailing slash, no spaces). - Try an alternative RPC from the network's official docs. - Check if the network's RPC is having an outage (check their Discord or status page). ### "This Chain ID is currently used by the [Network] network" You already have this network added. Go to Settings > Networks, find it, and delete the duplicate. Or just switch to it from the network dropdown. ### "The RPC URL returns a different Chain ID" The RPC endpoint is returning a Chain ID that doesn't match what you entered. This is a red flag -- the RPC may be compromised. Stop and verify the URL against the official docs. ### Network Added but Shows Zero Balance This is normal. Your tokens exist on the network you sent them to, not the one you just added. To see your balance: 1. Switch to the network where you hold tokens. 2. Or bridge tokens to the new network (use our [Compare Network Fees](https://cryptonetworkguide.com/) tool to find the cheapest bridge). --- ## How to Verify an RPC URL Is Legitimate Before adding any custom network, run these checks: 1. **Source check:** Did the RPC URL come from the network's official website (e.g., arbitrum.io, base.org)? If it came from a Telegram group, Discord DM, or random blog, it's suspect. 2. **Chainlist verification:** Search for the network on chainlist.org. If it's listed there with the same Chain ID, it's legitimate. 3. **Block explorer match:** The block explorer URL should match the network's official explorer. If someone gives you an RPC for Arbitrum but the explorer is a random domain, it's fake. 4. **Community confirmation:** Check the network's official Discord or Twitter for their documented RPC endpoints. --- ## Speed & Cost: Which Network Should You Add? If you're adding a network to save on fees, here's how they compare for a simple ETH transfer in July 2026: | Network | Avg Transfer Fee | Confirmation Time | Best For | |---|---|---|---| | Solana | $0.00025 | 2-5 sec | Fastest and cheapest overall | | Base | $0.01-0.05 | 2-3 sec | Ethereum L2 with Coinbase backing | | Arbitrum | $0.02-0.10 | 2-3 sec | DeFi and trading | | Optimism | $0.02-0.10 | 2-3 sec | Retroactive airdrops | | Polygon PoS | $0.01-0.05 | 2-5 sec | Gaming and NFTs | | BNB Chain | $0.03-0.10 | 3-5 sec | BSC ecosystem dapps | | zkSync Era | $0.05-0.20 | 2-3 sec | ZK-rollup security | | Avalanche C-Chain | $0.05-0.15 | 2-3 sec | Subnet ecosystem | | Ethereum Mainnet | $2-15 | 12-15 sec | High-value settlements | For the most up-to-date fee comparison across all networks, use the [Compare Network Fees](https://cryptonetworkguide.com/) tool before every transfer. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Can I add Solana to MetaMask?** No. MetaMask is Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) only. Solana uses a completely different architecture. To use Solana, download Phantom, Solflare, or Backpack wallet. You can bridge assets between Ethereum and Solana using Wormhole or Allbridge. **Q: How many custom networks can I add to MetaMask?** There is no hard limit. You can add dozens of networks. MetaMask only connects to one at a time, but switching takes two clicks. **Q: Do I need ETH on the new network to pay for gas?** Yes. Every EVM network requires its native token for gas. If you add Arbitrum, you need ETH on Arbitrum. If you add BNB Chain, you need BNB. You cannot pay Arbitrum gas with Ethereum mainnet ETH. **Q: Can I remove a network I no longer use?** Yes. Go to Settings > Networks, find the network, and click the trash icon. You cannot remove Ethereum Mainnet or built-in testnets. **Q: What happens if the RPC goes down?** Your funds are safe -- they live on the blockchain, not the RPC. If the RPC is down, you cannot see your balance or send transactions until you switch to a working RPC. Add a backup RPC in Settings > Networks > your network. --- ## Quick Reference Card (Bookmark This) **To add any network in 60 seconds:** 1. Open chainlist.org and connect MetaMask 2. Search the network name 3. Click "Add to MetaMask" 4. Verify the Chain ID matches this guide 5. Approve and switch **To add manually:** 1. Settings > Networks > Add Network > Add manually 2. Enter RPC URL, Chain ID, Symbol, Explorer URL from the tables above 3. Save For help choosing which network to use for your next transaction, check the [Compare Network Fees](https://cryptonetworkguide.com/) tool -- it shows live gas costs across all major chains. *Last updated: July 2026. RPC URLs change occasionally -- we review this guide monthly.*