MetaMask is a self-custodial software cryptocurrency wallet available as a browser extension and mobile app. It enables users to store digital assets, manage tokens, and interact with decentralized applications on Ethereum and EVM-compatible blockchains.

Is MetaMask free to use?

Downloading and installing MetaMask is completely free. However, users must pay standard blockchain network transaction fees, known as gas fees, when executing transactions.

How do I create a new MetaMask wallet?

To create a wallet, install the MetaMask extension or mobile app, select Create a new wallet, set a password, and write down your 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase. Store this recovery phrase securely offline, as it is the only way to recover your account.

What is a Secret Recovery Phrase?

A Secret Recovery Phrase is a unique 12-word sequence generated when you set up your wallet. It grants master control over your private keys and funds, so you must never share it with anyone.

Which cryptocurrencies and networks does MetaMask support?

MetaMask supports Ethereum (ETH), ERC-20 tokens, and NFTs, as well as EVM-compatible networks like Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Arbitrum, and Optimism.

Can I connect a hardware wallet to MetaMask?

Yes, MetaMask allows you to link popular hardware wallets such as Ledger and Trezor. Connecting a hardware wallet adds an extra layer of security by keeping private keys stored offline.

How do I add custom networks to MetaMask?

You can add a custom network by navigating to Network settings and entering the Network Name, RPC URL, Chain ID, and Currency Symbol. You can also connect automatically via network directory services like Chainlist.

What should I do if I forget my MetaMask password?

If you forget your password, you can restore your wallet by selecting Forgot password on the unlock screen. Enter your 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase to reset your password and regain access.

MetaMask is a secure self-custodial wallet, meaning you retain full control over your private keys. Security ultimately depends on user habits, such as avoiding phishing sites, keeping recovery phrases offline, and verifying dApp connections.

Can I buy cryptocurrency directly in MetaMask?

Yes, MetaMask offers an integrated Buy feature that allows users to purchase crypto using payment options like credit/debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, or Google Pay through third-party providers.

Self-custody crypto wallet

MetaMask Wallet: A Complete Guide

MetaMask Wallet is a self-custody software wallet that lets people store crypto assets, sign transactions, and connect to decentralized applications on Ethereum and other compatible blockchains. This guide explains what the MetaMask Wallet is, how the MetaMask Wallet works, the concepts you need to use the MetaMask Wallet safely, and the practical steps for getting started with the MetaMask Wallet.

Illustration of the MetaMask Wallet interface showing a crypto account balance and connected decentralized application — The MetaMask Wallet acts as both an account manager and a gateway to on-chain applications.

Key takeaway: With the MetaMask Wallet you, and not a company, hold the keys to your funds. That control is the whole point of self-custody, and it also means the responsibility for backing up and protecting your MetaMask Wallet rests with you.

What the MetaMask Wallet is

The MetaMask Wallet is a cryptocurrency wallet that runs as a browser extension and as a mobile app. The MetaMask Wallet was first released in 2016 and is developed by ConsenSys, a software company focused on the Ethereum ecosystem. At its simplest, the MetaMask Wallet is a program that creates and manages the cryptographic keys used to control blockchain accounts, and the MetaMask Wallet gives those keys a friendly interface so ordinary people can use them.

Unlike an account at a bank or a centralized exchange, the MetaMask Wallet does not hold your money for you. Instead, the MetaMask Wallet stores your keys locally, encrypted on your own device. When you approve a transaction, the MetaMask Wallet signs it with your private key and broadcasts it to the network. This design is what people mean when they call the MetaMask Wallet a non-custodial or self-custody wallet.

The second thing the MetaMask Wallet does is act as a bridge between websites and blockchains. Ordinary browsers cannot talk to Ethereum on their own. The MetaMask Wallet injects that capability, so when you visit a decentralized application, the site can ask your MetaMask Wallet to connect, read your public address, and request signatures. Nothing moves without your explicit approval inside the MetaMask Wallet.

Because of these two roles, the MetaMask Wallet has become one of the most widely used entry points into decentralized finance, NFT marketplaces, blockchain games, and other on-chain services. Many people first encounter Web3 through the MetaMask Wallet, and for a large share of users the MetaMask Wallet remains the primary tool they reach for.

How the MetaMask Wallet works

When you first install the MetaMask Wallet, it generates a Secret Recovery Phrase, usually twelve words in a specific order. From that phrase, the MetaMask Wallet mathematically derives your private keys and the public addresses that go with them. This is the foundation of everything: whoever has the recovery phrase controls the wallet, which is why the MetaMask Wallet asks you to write it down and keep it offline.

A private key is a secret number that proves ownership of an account. A public address, derived from that key, is what you share so others can send you funds. The MetaMask Wallet handles this math behind the scenes. You see a readable address and a balance; the MetaMask Wallet keeps the sensitive key encrypted and only unlocks it with your password.

To read balances and send transactions, the MetaMask Wallet connects to the blockchain through a node provider, historically Infura by default. When you want to check your balance, the MetaMask Wallet queries the network. When you want to send tokens, the MetaMask Wallet constructs the transaction, shows you the details and the estimated gas fee, and waits for you to confirm. Only after you press confirm does the MetaMask Wallet sign and submit it.

Connecting to a decentralized application follows a similar consent flow. The site requests a connection, the MetaMask Wallet shows a prompt asking which account you want to expose, and you approve. From then on the application can propose transactions, but each one still pops up in the MetaMask Wallet for your review. This pattern of propose-then-approve is central to how the MetaMask Wallet keeps you in control.

Every action that changes state on a blockchain costs a gas fee, paid in the network's native token. On Ethereum that is ETH. The MetaMask Wallet estimates the fee and lets you adjust it, trading speed for cost. Understanding gas is one of the first practical hurdles new MetaMask Wallet users clear.

Key concepts every MetaMask Wallet user should know

A handful of ideas explain almost everything about using the MetaMask Wallet correctly. The most important is the Secret Recovery Phrase. It is the master backup of your entire wallet. If you lose it and lose access to your device, no one, including the MetaMask Wallet team, can restore your funds. If someone else obtains it, they can drain your MetaMask Wallet from anywhere in the world.

The second concept is the difference between your password and your recovery phrase. Your MetaMask Wallet password only unlocks the app on that one device. The recovery phrase is universal. Resetting a forgotten password requires the recovery phrase, which is why the MetaMask Wallet keeps reminding you to save it.

A third concept is accounts. One MetaMask Wallet can hold many accounts, each with its own address, all derived from the same recovery phrase. People use separate accounts to organize activity, for example keeping long-term holdings apart from an account they use for experimenting with new applications inside the MetaMask Wallet.

A fourth concept is token approvals. When you let a decentralized application move a token on your behalf, you grant an allowance. Some applications request unlimited approvals for convenience. Reviewing and revoking stale approvals is good hygiene, and the MetaMask Wallet surfaces spending caps in its transaction prompts so you can see what you are agreeing to.

Finally, there is the concept of the network. The MetaMask Wallet can point at Ethereum mainnet, at test networks, or at many other chains. The tokens and balances you see depend on which network the MetaMask Wallet is currently connected to, so a balance that looks missing is often just the wrong network selected in the MetaMask Wallet.

Core features of the MetaMask Wallet

Beyond storing keys, the MetaMask Wallet bundles several features that make everyday crypto use practical. The following are the ones most people rely on in the MetaMask Wallet.

Send and receive. The core function: move tokens between addresses. The MetaMask Wallet shows the recipient, amount, and gas before you confirm.
Token swaps. The MetaMask Wallet Swaps feature aggregates quotes from multiple decentralized exchanges so you can trade one token for another inside the wallet.
Buy crypto. The MetaMask Wallet integrates third-party on-ramps so users can fund an account with a card or bank transfer where supported.
dApp connections. The extension and mobile browser let the MetaMask Wallet connect to thousands of Web3 applications.
NFT support. The MetaMask Wallet can display NFTs held by an account and lets you send them like any other asset.
Hardware wallet support. The MetaMask Wallet pairs with devices like Ledger and Trezor so keys stay on dedicated hardware.
Snaps. An extension system that lets developers add new features and support for non-Ethereum networks inside the MetaMask Wallet.

These features share one thread: the MetaMask Wallet tries to make on-chain activity approachable without ever taking custody of your assets. Whether you are swapping tokens or connecting to a lending protocol, the MetaMask Wallet keeps you at the center of the decision.

Networks, tokens, and compatibility

The MetaMask Wallet was built for Ethereum, and it works with any network that follows the Ethereum standard, known as an EVM-compatible chain. That includes layer-2 scaling networks such as Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Polygon, as well as independent EVM chains. You add these networks to the MetaMask Wallet by supplying their connection details, or a supported application can prompt the MetaMask Wallet to add them for you.

On each network, the MetaMask Wallet can hold the native coin plus any tokens that follow the standards for that chain, most commonly the ERC-20 standard for fungible tokens and ERC-721 or ERC-1155 for NFTs. If a token does not appear automatically, you can import it into the MetaMask Wallet using its contract address.

Through the Snaps system, the MetaMask Wallet has extended beyond EVM chains, letting users interact with certain non-Ethereum networks. This keeps the MetaMask Wallet flexible without bloating the core app, since users install only the network support they actually need in the MetaMask Wallet.

One practical detail worth repeating: sending tokens to the wrong network or address is usually irreversible. The MetaMask Wallet cannot undo a confirmed transaction, so double-checking the network and recipient before you confirm inside the MetaMask Wallet is essential.

Security: how the MetaMask Wallet protects you, and how it cannot

Security with the MetaMask Wallet is a shared responsibility. The MetaMask Wallet encrypts your keys on your device and never transmits your Secret Recovery Phrase to its servers. The MetaMask Wallet also shows clear transaction prompts so nothing happens without your approval. Those protections are meaningful, but they only work if you handle your recovery phrase correctly.

The single biggest risk to MetaMask Wallet users is not a flaw in the software but social engineering. Scammers create fake support agents, phishing sites, and fraudulent airdrops designed to trick you into typing your recovery phrase or approving a malicious transaction. No legitimate MetaMask Wallet employee or support channel will ever ask for your Secret Recovery Phrase. If anyone does, it is a scam.

Never do this

Never enter your MetaMask Wallet Secret Recovery Phrase on any website, into any form, or in any chat. The only place you ever type it is directly into the MetaMask Wallet when restoring an account on a device you control.

A second risk is malicious token approvals. A deceptive application can request permission to spend your tokens, then drain them. Because the MetaMask Wallet shows the details of each request, reading prompts carefully and declining anything unexpected is your best defense. Periodically revoking old approvals in the MetaMask Wallet reduces exposure further.

For larger balances, pairing the MetaMask Wallet with a hardware wallet is the strongest practical step. In that setup the private key never leaves the hardware device; the MetaMask Wallet only relays transactions for the device to sign. This keeps the convenience of the MetaMask Wallet interface while removing the key from your internet-connected computer.

The MetaMask Wallet compared with other wallet types

It helps to place the MetaMask Wallet against the broad categories of wallets people choose between. The table below sketches the tradeoffs rather than ranking products.

Criterion	MetaMask Wallet	Exchange wallet	Hardware wallet alone
Who holds the keys	You	The exchange	You
dApp connectivity	Extensive	Limited	Needs software wallet
Everyday convenience	High	High	Moderate
Offline key storage	Optional, via hardware	No	Yes
Recovery responsibility	On the user	On the exchange	On the user

The pattern is clear: an exchange wallet is convenient but custodial, a bare hardware wallet is secure but awkward for daily Web3 use, and the MetaMask Wallet sits in between, offering self-custody with broad connectivity. Pairing the MetaMask Wallet with a hardware device combines the best of the last two columns.

The MetaMask Wallet by the numbers

A few facts give a sense of scale for the MetaMask Wallet. The chart below is a simplified illustration of where the MetaMask Wallet fits in a typical user's toolkit, drawn from the wallet's own documented capabilities rather than a specific market report.

Relative emphasis of MetaMask Wallet use cases

Connecting to dAppshigh

Sending and receivinghigh

Token swapsmedium

Buying crypto on-rampmedium

NFT managementlower

Source: illustrative, based on MetaMask Wallet documented feature set. Not a measured survey.

The takeaway is that most people use the MetaMask Wallet primarily as a connector and a signer, with swapping and buying as secondary conveniences. Understanding that helps set expectations: the MetaMask Wallet is a control panel for on-chain activity more than a trading terminal.

How to get started with the MetaMask Wallet

Setting up the MetaMask Wallet takes only a few minutes, but the order matters. Follow these steps carefully, especially the backup step.

1
Install from the official source. Download the MetaMask Wallet from the official website or your device's app store. Verify the URL and publisher, since fake copies of the MetaMask Wallet are a common scam vector.
2
Create a new wallet. Choose to create a wallet, then set a strong password. This password unlocks the MetaMask Wallet on this device only.
3
Save your Secret Recovery Phrase. The MetaMask Wallet shows your twelve words. Write them on paper, store them offline, and never photograph or type them into a website.
4
Fund the wallet. Send crypto to your MetaMask Wallet address from an exchange, or use a supported on-ramp inside the MetaMask Wallet.
5
Connect to an application. Visit a decentralized application, approve the connection in the MetaMask Wallet, and review every transaction before confirming.

Best practices for using the MetaMask Wallet safely

A short set of habits keeps most MetaMask Wallet users out of trouble. Treat your Secret Recovery Phrase like the keys to a safe: offline, private, and never shared. Consider a metal backup for durability, and store copies in more than one secure place if you hold significant value in the MetaMask Wallet.

Bookmark the real applications you use so you do not rely on search results, which scammers game with fake MetaMask Wallet lookalikes. Before confirming, read what the MetaMask Wallet is actually asking you to sign, and be suspicious of any request for an unlimited token approval you did not expect.

For meaningful balances, connect a hardware wallet to the MetaMask Wallet, and consider a separate MetaMask Wallet account for risky experiments so a mistake there cannot touch your main holdings. Keep the MetaMask Wallet software updated, and never install a browser extension that claims to be a MetaMask Wallet helper unless you have verified it.

Finally, remember that self-custody means there is no reset button. The MetaMask Wallet gives you full control, and full control includes full responsibility. Handled with care, the MetaMask Wallet is a reliable everyday gateway to the on-chain world.

Frequently asked questions

Is the MetaMask Wallet free to use?

Yes. Downloading and using the MetaMask Wallet is free. You still pay network gas fees for transactions, and the MetaMask Wallet charges a service fee on in-wallet swaps and on-ramp purchases, but holding a MetaMask Wallet account costs nothing.

Can the MetaMask Wallet see or freeze my funds?

No. The MetaMask Wallet is non-custodial, so it cannot move, freeze, or recover your assets. Only the holder of the Secret Recovery Phrase controls a MetaMask Wallet, which is both its strength and the reason you must protect that phrase.

What happens if I lose my recovery phrase?

If you lose both your device access and your Secret Recovery Phrase, the funds in that MetaMask Wallet cannot be recovered by anyone, including the MetaMask Wallet team. This is why backing up the phrase offline is the most important step with the MetaMask Wallet.

Which blockchains does the MetaMask Wallet support?

The MetaMask Wallet supports Ethereum and any EVM-compatible network, including layer-2s like Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Polygon. Through the Snaps system, the MetaMask Wallet can also support selected non-EVM chains.

Is the MetaMask Wallet safe?

The MetaMask Wallet itself encrypts keys locally and never asks for your recovery phrase. Most losses come from phishing and malicious approvals rather than the software. Using the MetaMask Wallet carefully, with a hardware wallet for larger balances, makes it a safe tool.

Can I use one MetaMask Wallet on several devices?

Yes. You can restore the same MetaMask Wallet on another device by importing your Secret Recovery Phrase into a fresh MetaMask Wallet installation. Do this only on devices you trust and control.