How to add a token to Metamask: step-by-step guide

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Do you want to add a token to Metamask but are afraid to enter something wrong and lose your money? Don't worry. In this guide, we will help you securely add tokens to the world's most popular wallet.

Before the explanation, we want to give you some tips on security, as tokens are one of the main sources of fraud.

Verify the legitimacy of the token

It is important to verify that the token you want to add is legitimate and backed by a reliable project. To determine its legitimacy, focus on two points:

• Thoroughly research the project before buying its token. Many projects engage in massive marketing campaigns and promise huge returns on investment, but they are often just smoke and mirrors. This became evident in 2017 with the rise of ICO tokens. Although some great projects like Link or Fantom emerged during that time, over 90% of ICOs were fraudulent with no substance. To investigate projects, carefully analyze them, read their whitepaper, and get to know the people behind them. Our article on ICO tokens provides some details on how to analyze these projects.
• Verify that the token contract is the one you want to purchase. Many cryptocurrency thieves create tokens with the same name as a famous project to deceive people. We will show you later how to find the token contract.

Lastly, keep in mind that tokens can be volatile and you should assess the risks and benefits before investing in any project.

Check token compatibility

Before adding a token to Metamask, it's important to make sure it is compatible with the tool. To do so, check if the token uses the ERC-20 standard of Ethereum. If it does, it should be compatible with Metamask. Keep in mind that there are many other token standards, so it's important to verify compatibility before attempting to add a custom token.

In the case that you are not using Ethereum, but are on another blockchain compatible with the EVM, you will need to verify that it uses the corresponding standard. Each blockchain has a standard corresponding to ERC-20 for its tokens. For example, on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), the standard is called BEP-20. Therefore, BEP-20 tokens are also compatible with MetaMask.

Get the contract address of the token

To add a custom token to Metamask, you will need the contract address of the token and other details such as the symbol and its decimals.

You can obtain this information from a blockchain explorer like etherscan.io, but it is not recommended. As we explained, there are hackers who create tokens with popular names, and if you search for them in a blockchain explorer, you can fall into one of these scams.

To search for it safely, it is better to go to trusted cryptocurrency tracking sites like coinmarketcap.com or coingecko.com.

On these pages, in the information section, you will find the contract address of the token on different blockchains where it is available. For example, SHIB, the Shiba Inu token, is only officially available as a token on the Ethereum blockchain. On the other hand, USDT, the Tether stablecoin, is available on many networks.

In addition, you will also see a link to blockchain explorers, where you will be taken to the correct token page and you can confirm its symbol and the number of decimals it has.

Add the token to Metamask manually

Once you have the token contract address, you can add it to Metamask by following these steps:

• Open Metamask in your browser and make sure you are on the correct network. If you don't have it, you must first add the network to Metamask.
• Click on the "Add token" button at the bottom of the Metamask panel.
• Enter the token contract address in the "Contract address" field. Normally when you add the token contract to Metamask, it queries the blockchain and automatically fills in the other two fields. If it doesn't, check the token's official page in a browser to find the symbol and decimals.
• Enter the token symbol in the "Symbol" field.
• Enter the number of decimals in the "Decimals" field.
• Click "Add custom token" to add the token to your Metamask wallet.
• Verify that the token has been added successfully.

Once you have added the token to Metamask, you can verify that it has been added correctly. In the Metamask panel, look for the token in the list of available tokens. It should appear in the list with its symbol and current balance.

Add the token to Metamask automatically

But there is a faster and safer way to add tokens to MetaMask. The cryptocurrency tracking sites that we mentioned before, such as coinmarketcap.com or coingecko.com, allow you to add tokens automatically.

To do this, notice that right next to the token contract, you will see the MetaMask logo, the head of a fox. If you click on the logo, MetaMask will automatically open and ask you if you want to add the token. Just by accepting it, your token will be added to MetaMask.

If you do this, make sure you do it from important pages like the ones we mentioned or from the official project page. Nevertheless, it wouldn't hurt to check that the token you are looking for is on these tracking websites. If not, you probably want to add a token from a very small and risky project or it may be a scam.