How to buy your first NFT on OpenSea? (Step-by-step guide)

Setting Up Your Digital Wallet

1. Choose a wallet compatible with Ethereum and other EVM chains, such as MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet.

2. Download the browser extension or mobile app and follow the onboarding prompts to create a new wallet.

3. Securely back up your 12-word recovery phrase—never share it with anyone or store it digitally.

4. Fund your wallet with ETH using a centralized exchange like Binance or Kraken, then withdraw ETH to your wallet address.

5. Confirm the transaction on Etherscan to ensure ETH has arrived before proceeding further.

Connecting to OpenSea

1. Navigate to opensea.io in your desktop browser and click the wallet icon in the top-right corner.

2. Select your wallet from the list—MetaMask is most commonly used—and approve the connection request.

3. Verify that your wallet address appears in the header and that your ETH balance displays correctly.

4. Ensure you’re on the correct network—OpenSea defaults to Ethereum Mainnet but supports Polygon and Base.

5. Switch networks inside your wallet if needed, especially when browsing low-fee collections on Polygon.

Browsing and Selecting an NFT

1. Use the search bar to find specific projects like CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club, or newer trending collections.

2. Apply filters for blockchain, price range, traits, and sale type (fixed price, auction, or offers only).

3. Click on any NFT listing to view its metadata, ownership history, floor price, and transaction timeline.

4. Check the collection’s verified badge and contract address to avoid counterfeit or scam listings.

5. Review the seller’s activity and past sales—suspiciously low prices or newly created accounts warrant caution.

Completing the Purchase

1. Click “Buy now” if the item is listed at a fixed price, or “Make offer” if negotiating is preferred.

2. Confirm gas fees shown in your wallet—these fluctuate based on network congestion and may exceed $10 on Ethereum.

3. Sign the transaction in your wallet; do not rush this step—review all details including amount and recipient.

4. Wait for block confirmation—this usually takes 15–60 seconds on Ethereum, faster on Polygon.

5. Once confirmed, the NFT appears under your profile’s “Collected” tab and can be viewed on Etherscan or Polygonscan.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. If your wallet fails to connect, refresh the page and re-approve permissions—disable ad blockers temporarily.

2. Missing NFTs after purchase? Check if the transaction succeeded on-chain and verify the correct network is selected.

3. High gas fees preventing purchase? Try switching to Polygon or wait for off-peak hours during weekends.

4. Unable to see your newly bought NFT? Refresh your OpenSea profile and click “Refresh metadata” in the item’s three-dot menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need ETH to buy an NFT on Polygon? A: No—you need MATIC tokens to cover gas fees on Polygon, though the NFT itself may be purchased with ETH or other supported tokens.

Q: Can I buy an NFT directly with a credit card on OpenSea? A: OpenSea does not accept credit cards directly; users must fund their wallet with crypto first via third-party on-ramps like MoonPay or Transak.

Q: What happens if I send ETH to the wrong wallet address during purchase? A: Transactions on blockchain are irreversible—funds sent to an incorrect address are permanently lost unless the recipient voluntarily returns them.

Q: Why does my NFT show “Not verified” even after purchase? A: Verification depends on the collection owner submitting documentation to OpenSea; unverified status doesn’t affect ownership or functionality.