What Is Arbitrum?
Arbitrum One is an Ethereum Layer 2 rollup built by Offchain Labs. It processes transactions off-chain and posts compressed transaction data back to Ethereum mainnet, inheriting Ethereum’s security while dramatically reducing costs.
Because Arbitrum is EVM-compatible, every DApp, token, and tool that works on Ethereum can work on Arbitrum with minimal changes. MetaMask connects to Arbitrum exactly like any other network.
There are two main Arbitrum networks:
| Network | Chain ID | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitrum One | 42161 | Main Arbitrum network for DApps |
| Arbitrum Nova | 42170 | Gaming and social apps, lower cost |
Most users want Arbitrum One — it has the most DApps, deepest liquidity, and the largest user base.
Arbitrum One Network Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Network Name | Arbitrum One |
| New RPC URL | https://arb1.arbitrum.io/rpc |
| Chain ID | 42161 |
| Currency Symbol | ETH |
| Block Explorer URL | https://arbiscan.io |
Note: Arbitrum One uses ETH as its gas token — not a separate ARBI or ARB token. The ARB token is Arbitrum’s governance token, separate from gas.
Method 1: Add Arbitrum via Chainlist (One Click)
Chainlist.org is the fastest way to add any EVM network to MetaMask with verified settings.
Steps:
- Unlock MetaMask in your browser
- Search for “Arbitrum One”
- Review the network details in the MetaMask popup
Arbitrum One is now in your MetaMask network list.
Method 2: Add Arbitrum Manually in MetaMask
Desktop (Chrome/Firefox/Brave extension):
- Open MetaMask
- Click the network name at the top of the extension
- Fill in the fields exactly:
– Network name: Arbitrum One
– New RPC URL: https://arb1.arbitrum.io/rpc
– Chain ID: 42161
– Currency symbol: ETH
– Block explorer URL: https://arbiscan.io
MetaMask Mobile:
- Enter the same settings as above
After saving, MetaMask automatically switches to Arbitrum One.
How to Bridge ETH to Arbitrum
To use DApps on Arbitrum, you need ETH on Arbitrum One (not Ethereum mainnet ETH). The easiest way is through the official Arbitrum bridge.
Option 1: Official Arbitrum Bridge
- Connect MetaMask
- Make sure you’re on Ethereum Mainnet in MetaMask
- Select ETH and enter the amount to bridge
- Confirm the transaction in MetaMask
- Wait approximately 10–15 minutes for ETH to arrive on Arbitrum
The official bridge is the most secure option — it uses Arbitrum’s native bridge contract audited by Offchain Labs. Withdrawal from Arbitrum back to Ethereum takes 7 days (the fraud proof window), but third-party bridges offer faster withdrawals.
Option 2: Centralized Exchange Withdrawal
Many exchanges (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, OKX) support direct withdrawal to Arbitrum One:
- On your exchange, initiate a withdrawal of ETH
- Paste your MetaMask address
- Confirm the withdrawal
This is often faster than bridging and avoids the Ethereum mainnet gas fee.
Option 3: Third-Party Bridges
Faster alternatives to the official bridge:
These third-party bridges don’t have the 7-day withdrawal delay.
Gas Fees on Arbitrum vs Ethereum Mainnet
One of the biggest reasons users migrate to Arbitrum is cost:
| Action | Ethereum Mainnet | Arbitrum One |
|---|---|---|
| ETH transfer | $2–$15 | $0.05–$0.30 |
| Token swap (Uniswap) | $10–$60 | $0.10–$1.00 |
| Complex DeFi interaction | $30–$150 | $0.50–$3.00 |
| NFT mint | $20–$100 | $0.50–$5.00 |
Fees vary based on network congestion and ETH price.
Arbitrum still uses ETH for gas — you need ETH on Arbitrum One to pay for transactions there, just in much smaller amounts.
Top DApps on Arbitrum One
| DApp | Category |
|---|---|
| Uniswap V3 | DEX |
| GMX | Perpetuals/Trading |
| Aave V3 | Lending |
| Camelot | Native Arbitrum DEX |
| Pendle | Yield trading |
| Radiant Capital | Lending |
| Dopex | Options |
Arbitrum has a thriving native DeFi ecosystem alongside all major Ethereum DApps that have deployed there.
Common Issues and Fixes
“RPC endpoint not responding”
Try these alternative Arbitrum One RPC URLs:
https://arbitrum-one-rpc.publicnode.comhttps://1rpc.io/arbhttps://arbitrum.llamarpc.comTokens not showing after bridging
Bridged tokens need to be added manually. Go to arbiscan.io, find the token contract address, then use MetaMask’s Import tokens feature.
Transaction stuck on Arbitrum
Arbitrum transactions are usually fast (under 2 seconds). If stuck, try increasing the gas price. You can also check arbiscan.io to see the real-time status.
Sent to Arbitrum but see nothing
- Confirm you sent to the correct address (Arbitrum and Ethereum share the same address format)
FAQ
Is the ARB governance token the same as ETH on Arbitrum?
No. ETH is the gas token you use to pay for transactions on Arbitrum. ARB is a separate governance/utility token for voting on Arbitrum DAO proposals. You don’t need ARB to use the network.
Can I use my same MetaMask address on Arbitrum?
Yes. Your MetaMask address is the same on Ethereum and Arbitrum. The difference is which network MetaMask is connected to when you check balances or send transactions.
Why does my ETH balance show differently on Arbitrum?
Bridging doesn’t automatically replicate your Ethereum balance. You need to explicitly bridge ETH from Ethereum mainnet to Arbitrum One using the bridge. After bridging, that specific amount of ETH will show on Arbitrum.
How long does it take to move ETH from Arbitrum back to Ethereum?
Using the official bridge, withdrawals take 7 days due to the fraud proof window. Third-party bridges like Hop or Across can process withdrawals in minutes, typically for a small fee.
Is Arbitrum safe?
Arbitrum is one of the most battle-tested Layer 2 networks. It has processed billions of dollars in transactions and has undergone multiple security audits. However, as with all DeFi, smart contract risk exists. The protocol is secured by Ethereum’s security model.
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