How To Add Custom Tokens In MetaMask

MetaMask is a hugely popular web3 wallet and browser extension that allows users to send and receive cryptocurrencies and interact with smart contracts. You may have loaded your wallet with funds and began trading on a decentralized exchange such as Beethoven X or SpookySwap. After trading your funds for an alt coin gem and seeing the transaction confirmed, you might be surprised to find that the token is missing from your wallet. Don’t worry! The token is most likely in your wallet; you must learn how to add custom tokens in MetaMask. Follow this guide to get those tokens imported in no time.

Contents

A Quick Note on DYOR What is a token contract address?Adding Custom Tokens to MetaMask Manually Adding Custom Tokens to MetaMask Wallet using CoinMarketCap Adding Custom Tokens to MetaMask Wallet using CoinGecko Bonus: Hiding Tokens Conclusion

A Quick Note on DYOR

It is important that you do your research before adding any token to your wallet as anyone can create an ERC-20 token. Scammers have targeted users by creating lookalike tokens with the same name as popular projects. You can use the resources in this guide to help verify if you are using the official token address for a token. Only interact with reputable projects to minimize your risk.

What is a token contract address?

Did you know that when you send tokens to your wallet, they are not stored in your wallet?

They are actually stored on the blockchain.

Each token has its own smart contract containing a ledger which shows who owns the token and what quantity. Token holders are identified by their wallet address – the same address you use to send and receive tokens to in your MetaMask. When tokens are sold from one person to another, the tokens are moved on the ledger from the old address to the new one. In this way, the tokens always remain within the smart contract.

Instead of holding the tokens, your wallet contains the keys to access the tokens in the smart contract. If you have the keys you can make changes to that account such as transferring tokens. For this reason, MetaMask must know exactly which token you are interacting with. MetaMask automatically identifies many popular tokens but if yours isn\’t showing you must add the token\’s contract address. Let’s explore a few methods you can use to add an ERC-20 token contract address.

Adding Custom Tokens to MetaMask Manually

Use this method if you have the token contract address handy. Remember to confirm the token address to ensure you are using the correct contract.

Open MetaMask.
Retrieve the token’s contract address.
Go back to your wallet.
Select “Import Tokens” and enter in the contract address.

\"\" — MetaMask automatically updates the token symbol & tokens of precision.

Click Add Custom Token.
Your custom token should appear in your wallet with your other tokens.

Adding Custom Tokens to MetaMask Wallet using CoinMarketCap

Another way to add tokens to your wallet is to use the handy \’add to MetaMask wallet button\’ directly on CoinMarketCap. With this method, you can find the token address for most popular tokens.

Navigate to CoinMarketCap.
Search for your custom token.
Navigate to the token’s contract section.
Click the MetaMask fox logo.

Click the ‘Add Token’ button.
Your custom token should appear in your wallet alongside your other tokens.

Adding Custom Tokens to MetaMask Wallet using CoinGecko

As with the above method, you can add tokens with one click on CoinGecko.

Navigate to CoinGecko.
Search for your custom token.
Navigate to the token’s contract section.
Click the MetaMask fox logo.

Select ‘Add Token’ button.
Your custom token should appear in your wallet alongside your other tokens.

Bonus: Hiding Tokens

Over time your wallet may get bloated with unused tokens. Here\’s a quick guide on how to pare down the displayed tokens in MetaMask:

Just click the asset you want to remove.

On the details page click the three dots in the top right.

Now, click Hide [ASSET], and poof, it\’s gone. The asset will still be visible on block explorers since it hasn\’t truly left your wallet. But it will make your MetaMask UI look a little neater.

Conclusion

And just like that, you have added your custom token to MetaMask. You will be able to view your balance and send your balance to another address. Remember to double check you are adding the correct token address so you stay safe in the cryptoverse.