How to Add BNB Chain to MetaMask Manually Using RPC Details

23 September 2026

To use BNB Chain in MetaMask, you must add it as a custom network by entering its RPC (Remote Procedure Call) details manually. This page walks you through the process, explains what each field means, and notes differences from Ethereum that matter when you are setting up the connection.

Before You Start

MetaMask does not include BNB Chain in its default network list. You need to add it yourself. The chain’s official RPC details are maintained by the BNB Chain team and can change; always verify the current values on the official BNB Chain documentation or a trusted source like the BscScan site settings page.

You will need a desktop or mobile browser with MetaMask installed. Make sure your wallet is unlocked and you are on the “Networks” section of the settings.

Step-by-Step: adding BNB chain to metamask

1. Open MetaMask Settings Click the wallet icon in your browser toolbar, then click the circle avatar (top right) and select “Settings.” On mobile, tap the three-line menu, then “Settings.”

2. Go to Networks In the settings menu, choose “Networks.” You will see a list of preloaded networks such as Ethereum Mainnet and Sepolia testnet.

3. Add a Network Manually At the bottom of the network list, click “Add Network” (desktop) or “Add Network” (mobile). A form appears with fields for RPC details.

4. Enter the BNB Chain Details Fill in each field exactly. The table below describes the typical values for BNB Chain (formerly Binance Smart Chain, BSC). Verify the current numbers on the official BNB Chain site or BscScan.

Important: The Chain ID for BNB Chain is 56 in decimal. Ethereum Mainnet uses 1. If you enter the wrong Chain ID, transactions will fail or route to the wrong network. Also note that the RPC URL may have multiple mirrors (e.g., https://bsc-dataseed1.binance.org/, https://bsc-dataseed2.binance.org/) - any official seed URL works.

1. Save Click “Save” (desktop) or the checkmark (mobile). MetaMask will automatically switch to the new network.

What each field means and why it matters

• Network Name - Only for your reference. It does not affect functionality.
• RPC URL - This is the server address MetaMask queries to read blockchain data and submit transactions. Different RPC providers may offer faster or more reliable connections. Using a public seed URL is common, but you can also use private RPC endpoints from services like Ankr or Chainstack.
• Chain ID - A unique integer that prevents replay attacks across different blockchains. A transaction signed for Chain ID 56 cannot be reused on Ethereum (Chain ID 1). MetaMask automatically adds this to every transaction you sign.
• Currency Symbol - Shown in MetaMask’s interface. BNB Chain uses BNB as its native token for gas fees, similar to ETH on Ethereum.
• Block Explorer URL - Optional but useful. When you click transaction hashes in MetaMask’s activity list, it opens this explorer. BscScan is the standard explorer for BNB Chain.

Key Differences from Ethereum When Using BNB Chain in MetaMask

• Gas token - BNB Chain uses BNB, not ETH, to pay transaction fees. You must hold a small amount of BNB in your wallet on this network to send transactions.
• Chain ID - 56 versus Ethereum’s 1. Always double-check you are on the correct network before sending funds.
• RPC endpoints - Ethereum has many public RPCs; BNB Chain’s official endpoints are maintained by the Binance team, but third-party providers are also available.
• Transaction speed and cost - BNB Chain blocks every ~3 seconds with low fees relative to Ethereum. However, the network is more centralized and has experienced congestion during memecoin launches or NFT mints.
• Security - BNB Chain uses a consensus mechanism with 21 validators (Proof of Staked Authority). This is different from Ethereum’s Proof of Stake with thousands of validators. Fewer validators means faster finality but higher trust assumptions.

Troubleshooting

• “Invalid RPC URL” error - Ensure the URL starts with https:// and has no trailing spaces. Try a different official seed URL.
• “Chain ID mismatch” error - You entered a Chain ID that does not match the RPC endpoint. Confirm the Chain ID is 56 (decimal). Do not use hexadecimal values like 0x38 in MetaMask - it expects a decimal number.
• Transactions stuck pending - BNB Chain typically confirms quickly. If a transaction hangs, try resetting the account in MetaMask (Settings > Advanced > Clear activity tab data) after backing up your seed phrase. This does not affect your balance.
• No BNB balance showing - You may have BNB on another network (like Ethereum) or in a different wallet. Ensure you have sent BNB to your address on BNB Chain via a bridge or exchange withdrawal.

After adding the network

Once BNB Chain is added, you can switch to it in MetaMask’s network dropdown. Your Ethereum address remains the same - MetaMask uses the same private key for all chains. To interact with BNB Chain dApps (such as PancakeSwap or Venus), make sure you are on the correct network and have BNB for gas.

If you encounter execution errors on BNB Chain, see our guide on “Execution Reverted on BSC: What It Means and How to Debug.” For wallet comparisons, refer to “Best Wallets for BNB Chain: MetaMask vs Trust Wallet vs Others.”

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