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How to Transfer Tokens From MetaMask

Last Updated on February 26, 2024

James Headshot
Written by
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Disclaimer: This is not a validation of cryptocurrency or any particular provider, service, or product. It should not be taken as advice to engage in trading or use any services. Please check our terms and conditions.

Quick Answer:

Cryptocurrency transactions are increasingly common, with Ethereum-based tokens like Tether, Chainlink, and Binance coin being popular choices. Digital wallets are essential for storing these assets, and MetaMask stands out as a reliable, user-friendly option available as a browser extension and compatible with hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor.

MetaMask is a web3-based decentralized application that allows interaction with smart contracts and secure storage of cryptocurrencies. It keeps user data private while transactions are publicly visible on Etherscan. To send Ethereum (ETH) or ERC20 tokens from MetaMask, users need the recipient’s public address and to pay a gas fee. Custom tokens can also be transferred using MetaMask in conjunction with MyEtherWallet (MEW).

Transferring funds from MetaMask to a bank account can be done through exchanges like Coinbase. MetaMask supports storing NFTs and is celebrated for its accessibility, being a free browser extension that’s easy to use.

Using cryptocurrencies for financial transactions has become increasingly popular in recent years. Some of the most popular assets today are Ethereum-based tokens such as Tether (USDT), Chainlink (LINK), and Binance coin (BNB).

For crypto-beginners, one of the first challenges is to find a solution as to where to store their assets, since cryptocurrencies need a special digital wallet. The market offers countless digital wallets, so it can be difficult to find one that is reliable, easy to use, and secure.

When it comes to sending and receiving Ethereum and ERC20 tokens, MetaMask is a great choice. How to send token from Metamask? In most cases, you only need the recipient’s public address and other details like the amount and gas fees you need to pay. For custom tokens, you need to use MyEtherWallet (MEW) to transfer them.

MetaMask logo dark background

What Is a MetaMask Wallet?

MetaMask.io is an online cryptocurrency wallet. It comes in the form of a web browser extension available for Google Chrome, Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, and Firefox, and it’s also compatible with the Ledger and Trezor hardware wallets.

MetaMask is based on open-source code and has a dedicated developer community that constantly works on updating the platform so as to provide its users with the best quality of service. 

It is a web3-based decentralized application which allows users to interact with smart contracts using ERC20 tokens. The main purpose of these wallets is to store ethers and other cryptocurrencies safely. They allow users to send funds from one account to another, and also keep track of all transactions made through them.

Meta Mask also provides access to various DApp features such as sending Ethers, viewing transaction details, etc.

Security

Security is always a major concern when it comes to cryptocurrencies. MetaMask performs great in this field since they offer several layers of protection. To start off, the only way to access the users’ assets is through a user password.

The second layer of user authentication is a unique 12-word seed phrase, known as a private key.

This means that the user’s main concern is to keep the password and seed phrase safe and not to worry about the security of their funds. Still, using MetaMask combined with a secure hardware wallet is an even more secure option.

Because MetaMask deals with Ethereum-based transactions, all of them are publicly visible on Etherscan, as they are registered on the Ethereum blockchain. However, the MetaMask wallet account data is always kept private.

Features and Interface

There are lots of reasons why MetaMask is ranked as the best for desktop use among numerous Ethereum wallets. Its user-friendly interface and versatile features give it an edge over the competition. For instance, apart from storing Ethereum blockchain-based assets, you can also transfer tokens to cryptocurrency exchanges such as Coinbase, Binance, and other third-party websites through MetaMask. 

Below, we’ll take a look at a step-by-step tutorial on how to transfer tokens using MetaMask. For now, keep in mind that MetaMask supports only ETH, ERC20, and several custom tokens

metamask wallet

How to Send Tokens From Metamask

How to Transfer from Metamask Ethereum (ETH)

All transactions from MetaMask require a small gas fee, which is standard for all transfers.

We will start with the ETH transfer process

So, let’s say that you have some ETH in your MetaMask wallet and you want to transfer them to a third-party website

  1. Open the MetaMask extension in your browser and make sure you’re logged into your account. 
  2. Then, select the send option. This will open a window with a field that says recipient address, where you should paste the recipient’s wallet address. Be sure to double-check the address, since there’s no way to recover your assets if they get sent to the wrong address or a destination that is incompatible with the currency you sent. 
  3. In the field amount, you can enter the exact amount of ETH you wish to transfer, using as much as 18 decimals.  
  4. Clicking on the next button will prompt MetaMask to create a transaction window, with all the details. In the top section of this window, you can see your account details on the left and the recipient’s account details on the right. Underneath, you will see the exact amount of ETH you selected for the transfer. The Gas Limit and Gas Price fields can be changed, but it’s fine to leave them at their default values. (Note: If you’re not sure about how much your ETH transaction from MetaMask will cost, you can use the ETH Gas station to calculate the price)
  5. When everything is in order, you just have to press the send transaction button to start the transaction. Just select Yes in the pop-up window and that’s it. Depending on the busyness of the network, it could take up to a few minutes to receive confirmation that the transaction is complete.

Transferring ERC20 Tokens 

The process is relatively the same for ERC20 tokens, with a few differences.

  1. When initiating an ERC20 transaction, you fill in the amount section with the number of tokens that you want to transfer. 
  2. Next to the amount field, you can select the ERC20 token from the dropdown list. (Note: If you’re using MyEtherWallet or MEW with MetaMask, it will automatically calculate the transaction gas limit based on average market activity and Ethereum network busyness)
  3. It’s that simple. After the transfer is complete, you will see the transfer hash and details at the bottom of the page.

Transferring Custom Tokens

MetaMask also supports the transfer of custom tokens

  1. At first, it can seem a bit complicated, since there is no send button next to the custom tokens. Instead, you have to use MEW, and connect it with your MetaMask account.
  2. After connecting MEW with MetaMask, all you have to do is add your custom token contract address in MetaMask. The custom tokens will then appear in the dropdown menu ready for sending.
  3. The rest of the procedure is identical to transferring ERC20 tokens.
MetaMask isometric logo

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I transfer tokens from Metamask?

To transfer tokens from Metamasks, click on “Settings” then select “Exchange”. Enter the amount of ETH/ERC20 token you want to send. Click on “Send”, enter the address where you would like to receive the tokens, and confirm the transaction. The other option is to use MyEtherWallet.com to create a new wallet, add your Ethereum address, and then send the tokens directly to yourself.

How do I transfer money from Metamask to my bank account?

The easiest way to transfer funds from Metamask to your bank account is through Coinbase. To use Coinbase, you need to create an account for yourself first. Then, you would go to the “Send” tab at the top right corner of the pageand click on “Funds Transfer”. Enter the amount you want to send, select the wallet address you want to receive the funds into, and then confirm the transaction. This should be done immediately after sending the funds.

How do I send tokens to Metamask?

To use Metamask, simply click on “Send” under the “Tokens” tab. Then select Ethereum from the dropdown menu. Next, enter the amount of ETH you want to transfer into Metamask, then press “Transfer.” Once the transaction has been confirmed, Metamask should show the new balance for your account.

Can Metamask store NFTs?

Metamask supports multiple types of ERC20 tokens, including NFTs. To add any token, click “Add Token” at the top right corner of the page, then select the token from the drop down list. Once selected, enter the address for the token into the field provided. Click “Save.”

A Few Words Before You Go…

As you can see, using MetaMask to transfer your tokens to third-party token addresses is relatively simple, and even more importantly, it’s secure.

It’s no wonder that MetaMask is so popular among users because it’s easy to use, free, and available as a browser extension.

About The Author

James Headshot
Written by

Crypto Technical Writer

James Page, previously the lead writer at Crypto Head and a registered psychologist, brings a unique perspective to the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency.

His extensive experience in the industry and ability to present complex concepts in an understandable manner make his articles a valuable resource for readers seeking to navigate the ever-evolving crypto landscape.

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