How to check token holdings in MetaMask?

Accessing Token Balances in MetaMask

1. Open the MetaMask browser extension and unlock your wallet using your password.

2. Ensure you are connected to the correct network — for example, Ethereum Mainnet, Sepolia Testnet, or Polygon — as token balances are network-specific.

3. By default, MetaMask displays only ETH balance on the main screen; other tokens must be manually added or imported.

4. Scroll down to the “Assets” section and click “Import tokens” to begin adding custom ERC-20, ERC-721, or ERC-1155 tokens.

5. Choose between “Custom token” and “Token contract address” input mode, then paste the verified contract address of the token you wish to track.

Verifying Token Contract Authenticity

1. Before importing any token, navigate to a trusted blockchain explorer such as Etherscan, Polygonscan, or BSCScan.

2. Paste the token’s contract address into the search bar and verify that the contract is verified (source code published) and matches the official project documentation.

3. Cross-check the token symbol, decimals, and total supply shown on the explorer against known references from the project’s official website or verified social media accounts.

4. Confirm whether the token implements standard interfaces like ERC-20 or ERC-721 by reviewing the “Contract” tab and checking for functions such as transfer, balanceOf, and totalSupply.

5. Look for red flags: unverified contracts, mismatched names, or suspicious ownership transfers visible in the “Transactions” tab — all may indicate counterfeit tokens.

Using the Assets Tab to Monitor Holdings

1. After successfully importing a token, it appears under the “Tokens” list in the Assets section with real-time balance updates.

2. Tap or click on the token row to view detailed information including current value in USD (if price data is available), transaction history, and contract link.

3. MetaMask automatically fetches token metadata — name, symbol, and logo — from the Token Lists API if the contract is included in community-maintained lists like tokenlists.org.

4. If metadata fails to load, manually add the token logo by editing the token entry and uploading a valid SVG or PNG image hosted on an HTTPS endpoint.

5. For NFTs, ensure the “NFTs” toggle is enabled in Settings > Advanced > Show NFTs; supported collections will appear under the “NFTs” tab once detected on-chain.

Troubleshooting Missing or Incorrect Balances

1. Refresh the page or restart MetaMask entirely — stale cache may prevent updated balances from rendering.

2. Check whether the token is deployed on the currently selected network; switching networks without re-importing causes balances to disappear.

3. Manually trigger a balance refresh by clicking the circular arrow icon next to the token name in the Assets list.

4. If balance remains zero despite confirmed on-chain holdings, verify the wallet address used on the explorer matches the one displayed in MetaMask’s account header.

5. Disable any ad-blockers or privacy extensions temporarily — they sometimes interfere with MetaMask’s ability to fetch balance data from third-party APIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does MetaMask show zero balance for a token I know I hold?A: This commonly occurs when the token contract is not imported, the wrong network is selected, or the wallet address differs between environments — always confirm the address and chain first.

Q: Can I see token balances without importing them?A: No. MetaMask does not auto-detect arbitrary tokens; each must be explicitly added via contract address unless pre-listed in its internal token registry.

Q: Is it safe to import a token just by pasting its contract address?A: Only if the address is obtained from an official source and verified on a blockchain explorer — malicious actors often deploy fake tokens with similar names and symbols.

Q: Do NFTs appear automatically in MetaMask?A: They do only if the NFT standard is supported (e.g., ERC-721, ERC-1155), the collection is indexed by MetaMask’s NFT detection service, and the “Show NFTs” setting is enabled.