How to create an NFT on OpenSea? (Step-by-step guide)

Setting Up Your Wallet

1. Choose a compatible wallet such as MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or Trust Wallet.

2. Install the browser extension or mobile app and follow the onboarding instructions.

3. Secure your 12-word recovery phrase and never share it with anyone.

4. Fund your wallet with Ethereum (ETH) or MATIC depending on the network you intend to use.

5. Connect your wallet to OpenSea by clicking the wallet icon in the top-right corner and selecting your preferred option.

Creating a New Collection

1. Navigate to the OpenSea homepage and click “Create” in the navigation bar.

2. Click “My Collections” and then “Create a new collection”.

3. Fill in the collection name, description, and category — ensure these reflect your project’s identity.

4. Upload a profile image, banner, and logo that align visually with your brand.

5. Configure royalties between 0% and 10%, and select the blockchain — Ethereum, Polygon, Base, or others supported by OpenSea.

Uploading and Minting Your NFT

1. Go to your newly created collection and click “Add item”.

2. Upload your digital file — JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4, or GLB — ensuring it meets size and format requirements.

3. Enter the item name, description, and properties like traits, levels, or stats if applicable.

4. Set the supply if creating an edition; leave it as “1” for a unique piece.

5. Click “Create” — this initiates a wallet signature request; confirm it in your connected wallet.

Listing Your NFT for Sale

1. Once minted, locate your NFT in the collection and click “Sell”.

2. Choose between fixed price, declining price, or auction format.

3. Enter the sale price in ETH or other supported tokens, and set duration for time-bound listings.

4. Review gas fees — lower during off-peak hours on Ethereum, near zero on Polygon.

5. Confirm the transaction in your wallet; your NFT will appear as “listed” once confirmed on-chain.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. If your NFT doesn’t appear after minting, verify the correct network is selected in your wallet and OpenSea interface.

2. Failed transactions often stem from insufficient funds — include enough ETH for gas on Ethereum or MATIC for Polygon.

3. Metadata errors occur when descriptions exceed character limits or contain unsupported characters; simplify formatting.

4. Delayed visibility may happen due to blockchain confirmation time — wait for at least one block confirmation before refreshing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to pay to create an NFT on OpenSea?Yes, minting on Ethereum requires gas fees paid in ETH. On Polygon, minting is free but listing still requires a small fee for approval.

Q: Can I change the metadata after minting?On Ethereum, metadata is immutable once minted. On Polygon, some collections support lazy minting where metadata can be updated before first sale.

Q: Why does my NFT show as “pending” for hours?This usually indicates low gas priority or network congestion. Check Etherscan or Polygonscan for pending status and consider increasing gas fee.

Q: Is it possible to delete an NFT from OpenSea?No. Once minted on-chain, the token exists permanently. You can delist it, transfer it to a burn address, or remove it from your profile view.