How to Send Ethereum from MetaMask to Coinbase

Sending ETH from MetaMask back to Coinbase is how you off-ramp: sell your ETH, convert to fiat, or consolidate funds. Unlike exchange-to-wallet transfers, this direction requires you to pay gas fees directly from your MetaMask balance.

Before You Start

• MetaMask with ETH on the network you want to send from (Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, or Optimism)
• Enough extra ETH to cover gas fees: $5-10 on mainnet, under $1 on Layer 2s
• A Coinbase account with identity verification completed

Check which network your ETH is on in MetaMask before starting. Your balance may be split across multiple networks. The network you send from must match the network you select for your Coinbase deposit address.

How to Send ETH from MetaMask to Coinbase

1. Get your Coinbase deposit address. Log into Coinbase, go to ETH, click "Receive," and select the network that matches where your ETH lives in MetaMask. Copy the deposit address.
2. Verify the address. Paste it somewhere visible and confirm the first and last six characters match what Coinbase shows.
3. Open MetaMask and confirm the network. Check the network dropdown at the top matches the network you selected on Coinbase.
4. Click Send and paste the Coinbase address. Enter the deposit address in the "Send to" field.
5. Enter the amount. If sending everything, click "Max": MetaMask automatically reserves enough for gas. Otherwise, leave at least $5-10 for future transactions on mainnet.
6. Review gas settings. MetaMask defaults to "Market" gas, which is fine for most transfers. For urgent sends during congestion, switch to "Aggressive."
7. Confirm and send. Review the recipient, amount, and total fee. Click "Confirm" to broadcast the transaction.
8. Track the deposit in Coinbase. The transaction shows as "Pending" in Coinbase until confirmations complete. Mainnet takes 4-5 minutes, Layer 2s under a minute.

Fees and Timing

Mainnet gas fees spike during high-activity periods. Check current prices at etherscan.io/gastracker before sending. If fees are high and the transfer is not urgent, wait a few hours or use a Layer 2 network.

FAQ

What if I sent ETH on the wrong network?

If you sent to the wrong Coinbase network address, contact Coinbase support immediately with your transaction hash. Recovery is sometimes possible but not guaranteed and can take weeks. This is why matching networks on both sides is critical.

Can I cancel a transaction after sending from MetaMask?

Only while it is still pending (unconfirmed). Click the pending transaction in MetaMask and select "Cancel." This broadcasts a replacement transaction with higher gas. If the original confirms first, cancellation fails. Confirmed transactions are permanent.

Why is my MetaMask gas fee so much higher than what Coinbase charged?

When sending from MetaMask, you pay Ethereum gas directly at market rates. Coinbase subsidizes or batches transactions, so their fees are often lower. To minimize gas, send during off-peak hours (weekends, late night UTC) or use a Layer 2 network.

This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. Always verify addresses and network selections before sending. Spark is not affiliated with Coinbase or MetaMask.