To add Base to MetaMask, you need to register the network using chain ID 8453 and the RPC endpoint https://mainnet.base.org. Base is Coinbase's Ethereum Layer 2, built on the OP Stack, and it launched on mainnet in 2023-08. As of 2026 it routinely processes more daily transactions than Ethereum mainnet, making it one of the most important networks to have configured in MetaMask.
What Is Base and Why Add It to MetaMask
Base is an EVM-compatible L2 chain developed by Coinbase and built on the OP Stack, the same framework that powers Optimism. Because it is fully EVM-compatible, your existing MetaMask wallet address works on Base without any derivation changes — the same 0x address you use on Ethereum mainnet is your Base address.
Gas fees on Base are measured in fractions of a cent for most operations, compared to dollars on Ethereum mainnet. This makes Base the practical default for everyday DeFi, NFT minting, and social-app interactions in 2026.
Method 1: Add Base to MetaMask via Chainlist (1-Click)
This is the fastest, lowest-error method. Chainlist.org is a community-maintained registry of EVM networks that pushes verified RPC data directly into MetaMask.
- Open MetaMask in your browser and make sure it is unlocked.
- Navigate to chainlist.org in the same browser.
- Click "Connect Wallet" in the top-right corner and approve the connection in the MetaMask popup.
- Type "Base" into the search box. The result will show "Base Mainnet" with chain ID 8453.
- Click "Add to MetaMask" next to the Base Mainnet entry.
- Review the network details in the MetaMask confirmation popup. Confirm that Chain ID reads 8453 before clicking "Approve".
- Click "Switch Network" if prompted — MetaMask will now set Base as the active network.
MetaMask will display "Base Mainnet" in the network selector dropdown at the top of the extension. You are now connected to Base.
Method 2: Add Base to MetaMask Manually (RPC Entry)
Use this method if you prefer to avoid third-party sites or if Chainlist is unavailable.
- Open MetaMask and click the network selector dropdown at the top of the extension.
- Click "Add network" at the bottom of the network list.
- Click "Add a network manually" on the next screen.
- Enter the following values exactly:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Network Name | Base Mainnet |
| New RPC URL | https://mainnet.base.org |
| Chain ID | 8453 |
| Currency Symbol | ETH |
| Block Explorer URL | https://basescan.org |
- Click "Save". MetaMask will validate the chain ID against the RPC endpoint.
- Click "Switch to Base Mainnet" in the confirmation dialog.
The official RPC endpoint https://mainnet.base.org is operated by Coinbase and documented at docs.base.org. For higher rate limits in production use, consider a dedicated RPC from Alchemy or QuickNode, but the official endpoint is sufficient for wallet use.
How to Fund Your Base Wallet
Adding the network costs nothing, but to interact with dApps you need ETH on Base to pay gas. There are two primary methods.
Fund via Coinbase's "Send to Base" Feature
If you hold ETH or USDC on Coinbase's centralized exchange, you can send directly to Base without paying Ethereum mainnet gas.
- Log in to Coinbase (app or web).
- Click "Send / Receive" and select ETH or USDC.
- Paste your MetaMask address (your 0x address — the same one you use everywhere).
- Select "Base" as the network in the network dropdown. Coinbase displays a list of supported networks; Base is listed as "Base."
- Enter the amount and confirm. Funds typically arrive in under 2 minutes.
This route has no bridging fee and avoids Ethereum mainnet gas entirely. It is the recommended onramp if you already use Coinbase.
Fund via the Official Base Bridge (Ethereum → Base)
If your ETH is on Ethereum mainnet (for example, in a hardware wallet or another MetaMask account), use the official Base Bridge.
- Navigate to bridge.base.org.
- Connect your MetaMask wallet when prompted.
- Select the direction: Ethereum Mainnet → Base.
- Enter the ETH amount you want to bridge. Note that the deposit transaction itself executes on Ethereum mainnet and requires Ethereum mainnet gas — plan for $2–$10 in gas depending on network conditions.
- Confirm the transaction in MetaMask. The L2 deposit is typically finalized within 3 minutes.
- Switch MetaMask to Base Mainnet after the transaction confirms — your ETH balance will appear there.
Withdrawals from Base back to Ethereum mainnet via the canonical bridge take approximately 7 days due to the OP Stack's fraud-proof challenge window. For faster withdrawals, third-party bridges like Across Protocol or Stargate offer sub-10-minute exits at a small fee.
Popular dApps on Base in 2026
Once your MetaMask is funded on Base, these are the major protocol categories worth knowing.
DeFi
- Aerodrome Finance (aerodrome.finance) is Base's dominant DEX and liquidity hub, modeled on Velodrome (Optimism). It handles the majority of Base's DEX volume and is the primary venue for token swaps and liquidity provision.
- Morpho operates lending markets on Base, offering optimized rates over standalone Aave or Compound pools.
Social and Consumer Apps
- Farcaster is a decentralized social protocol with significant Base integration. Many Farcaster clients and frames execute transactions on Base.
- friend.tech, which launched the "social token" category in 2023, has had successors and forks continue operating on Base. The underlying primitive — tokenized social keys — remains active across several protocols including Stars Arena and others building on Base's low-fee environment.
NFTs and Gaming
- Zora supports Base as a primary mint network, with gas costs low enough to make free mints genuinely free for end users.
- Base is also home to a growing set of onchain gaming projects that rely on sub-cent transaction costs for in-game actions.
FAQ
Q: What is the chain ID for Base in MetaMask?
Base Mainnet uses chain ID 8453. This is the canonical identifier registered with Chainlist and in Coinbase's official network documentation. Do not confuse it with Base Sepolia (testnet), which uses chain ID 84532.
Q: Can I use my existing MetaMask address on Base?
Yes. Base is EVM-compatible, so your existing MetaMask 0x address is your Base address. You do not create a new wallet or seed phrase. Any ETH or tokens sent to your MetaMask address on the Base network will appear when MetaMask is set to Base Mainnet.
Q: Is the official Base RPC endpoint free to use?
The endpoint https://mainnet.base.org is free and requires no API key for standard wallet interactions. It is rate-limited for high-volume programmatic use. For dApp development or scripting, Alchemy and QuickNode both offer Base RPC tiers with higher limits.
Q: How long does bridging from Ethereum to Base take?
Deposits from Ethereum mainnet to Base via the official bridge at bridge.base.org typically finalize in 3–5 minutes. Withdrawals from Base back to Ethereum mainnet through the canonical bridge take approximately 7 days due to the OP Stack fraud-proof window.
Q: Why can't I see my Base tokens after adding the network?
MetaMask does not auto-detect all ERC-20 tokens. After switching to Base Mainnet, click "Import tokens" at the bottom of the Assets tab and paste the token's contract address. You can look up contract addresses on Basescan. ETH on Base appears automatically once the network is active.
