Bridging to and from Polygon is simple and does not take a lot of time. This guide walks you through the entire process of transferring assets from Ethereum to Polygon using the official Polygon Portal (PoS Bridge).
What You Need Before Bridging
Before you start, make sure you have the following ready:
1. A Web3 Wallet: MetaMask is the most widely used wallet for this purpose. Download and install the MetaMask browser extension and set up your wallet. Any EVM-compatible wallet will also work.
2. ETH for Gas Fees: You need ETH to pay for gas fees when bridging assets from Ethereum to Polygon. Gas costs vary depending on Ethereum network congestion.
3. MATIC (POL) for Polygon Fees: Once on Polygon, you will need a small amount of MATIC (now called POL) to pay for transaction fees when using dApps. Some bridges provide a small gas drop.
Step 1: Connect Your Wallet to Polygon Portal
Head to the official Polygon Portal at portal.polygon.technology. Click on "Bridge" and then click "Connect Wallet." Select MetaMask from the wallet options. A pop-up will appear asking you to connect — approve this. You will be asked to sign a message to verify your wallet ownership. This signature costs no gas.
Step 2: Select Asset and Amount
In the Polygon Portal bridge interface, make sure you are on the "Deposit" tab (Ethereum → Polygon). Select the asset you want to bridge from the dropdown — for example, ETH, USDT, or USDC. Enter the amount you wish to transfer. The interface will show you an estimated gas fee and bridge fee.
Step 3: Confirm and Send the Transaction
Click "Transfer" and review the details. Click "Continue" through the confirmation windows. Finally, a MetaMask pop-up will appear asking you to confirm and sign the transaction. Approve it. Your assets will appear in your Polygon wallet within 7–8 minutes.
Bridging Back from Polygon to Ethereum
Withdrawing from Polygon back to Ethereum follows the same process but in reverse. Select the "Withdraw" tab in the Polygon Portal. Choose your asset and amount, confirm the transaction. Note that PoS Bridge withdrawals take 2–3 hours to complete due to the Ethereum checkpointing process.
Tips for Cheaper Bridge Fees
Gas fees on Ethereum fluctuate heavily. To save on fees, bridge during off-peak hours — typically early morning UTC on weekdays. Use our bridge fee guide to learn more about minimizing costs. If speed is more important than cost, consider third-party bridges that use liquidity pools for near-instant transfers.
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