How to add Optimism network to MetaMask? (Network Settings)

Adding Optimism Network Manually

1. Open MetaMask and click the network dropdown menu located at the top of the interface.

2. Select Add Network from the list, then choose Add a network manually.

3. Enter the following details for the Optimism Mainnet: Network Name — Optimism, New RPC URL — https://mainnet.optimism.io, Chain ID — 10, Currency Symbol — ETH, Block Explorer URL — https://optimistic.etherscan.io.

4. Confirm the input fields are accurate before clicking Save. The network will appear in the dropdown once added.

5. Verify the connection by checking whether the balance updates or transaction history reflects Optimism-native assets.

Using Chainlist to Connect Optimism

1. Navigate to https://chainlist.org using a browser with MetaMask installed.

2. Search for Optimism in the search bar and select the official Optimism Mainnet entry.

3. Click the Connect Wallet button and approve the prompt in MetaMask to allow Chainlist to add the network.

4. After approval, MetaMask will automatically configure all required parameters including RPC endpoints and block explorer links.

5. Switch to the Optimism network from the MetaMask network selector to begin interacting with dApps deployed on the chain.

Verifying Optimism Network Configuration

1. Check the Chain ID displayed in MetaMask’s network settings matches 10, which is the canonical identifier for Optimism Mainnet.

2. Confirm the RPC URL points to a trusted endpoint such as https://mainnet.optimism.io or a verified provider like Alchemy or Infura with Optimism support.

3. Ensure the block explorer URL redirects to https://optimistic.etherscan.io when clicking the network name in MetaMask.

4. Test sending a small ETH transaction to an Optimism address to verify gas estimation and confirmation behavior aligns with Layer 2 expectations.

5. Observe that transaction hashes resolve correctly on the Optimism block explorer rather than Ethereum Mainnet explorers.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

1. If MetaMask displays 'Network not supported', double-check the Chain ID value — entering 1 instead of 10 will route requests to Ethereum Mainnet incorrectly.

2. A blank balance after switching networks may indicate missing token lists; manually add common Optimism tokens like OP or SNX using their contract addresses.

3. Timeout errors during RPC calls often stem from unstable or rate-limited endpoints; replace the default RPC with a dedicated Optimism node provider.

4. Failed signature requests might occur if the wallet extension version is outdated; update MetaMask to the latest release before reattempting network addition.

5. Inability to interact with Optimism-based dApps despite correct network selection could signal missing cross-chain bridge setup — ensure ETH has been deposited via the Optimism Gateway before attempting transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the same MetaMask seed phrase for Optimism and Ethereum Mainnet?A: Yes. Optimism shares the same cryptographic key derivation path as Ethereum, so your existing accounts and private keys remain valid across both networks.

Q: Why does MetaMask show zero ETH balance on Optimism even though I bridged funds?A: Bridging requires confirmation on both chains. Wait for the Optimism gateway to finalize the deposit — this typically takes 5–10 minutes — and refresh MetaMask after completion.

Q: Is it safe to add custom RPC URLs for Optimism?A: Only use RPC endpoints from official sources like Optimism’s documentation or reputable infrastructure providers. Avoid third-party URLs with unverified origins to prevent data leakage or malicious redirection.

Q: Do I need separate gas tokens for Optimism transactions?A: No. ETH serves as the native gas token on Optimism. However, gas fees are significantly lower than Ethereum Mainnet due to its rollup architecture and batched transaction processing.