Here is how to bridge ETH to BNB Chain: the cheapest route is usually to send ETH to a centralized exchange that supports both networks, then withdraw it choosing “BNB Smart Chain (BEP20).” If you want to stay in self-custody, connect MetaMask to a bridge or bridge aggregator (such as deBridge, Celer cBridge or the aggregator linked from BNB Chain’s documentation), pick Ethereum as the source and BNB Smart Chain as the destination, and confirm. Either way, you receive Binance-Peg ETH on BSC, not native BNB, and you need a little BNB to pay gas once you arrive.
Key takeaways
- “Bridging” ETH gives you a BEP-20 version of ETH on BNB Smart Chain; “swapping” ETH to BNB gives you the chain’s native coin. Decide which you need first.
- An exchange withdrawal is often cheapest and simplest if you already hold an account; a bridge keeps you in self-custody.
- Ethereum gas on the sending side is usually the largest cost; BSC fees are small but must be paid in BNB.
- Always verify the token contract on BscScan before adding a custom token or trading.
Bridge vs swap: which do you actually want?
People searching for how to bridge ETH to BNB usually want one of two outcomes:
- ETH on BNB Smart Chain. You keep ETH price exposure, but now hold it as a BEP-20 token (Binance-Peg Ethereum Token) that works with BSC apps such as PancakeSwap or lending markets. This is a bridge.
- BNB itself. You want to sell ETH and own BNB, the chain’s native coin used for gas, staking and fees. That’s a swap, which you can do on an exchange or with a cross-chain swap that converts and moves in one transaction.
Many routes can do both: bridge aggregators can deliver a small amount of BNB alongside your ETH for gas, or convert everything to BNB. If you are new to BNB itself, our BNB explainer covers what it’s used for.
ETH to BNB Chain routes compared
Exact fees change with Ethereum gas prices and each provider’s pricing, so this table compares structure rather than fixed numbers. Every route shows you a fee quote before you confirm.
| Route | What you pay | Typical speed | Custody during transfer | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralized exchange (deposit on Ethereum, withdraw on BSC) | Ethereum gas to deposit plus the exchange’s flat BSC withdrawal fee | Minutes to an hour, depending on deposit confirmations | Exchange holds your ETH briefly | Lowest cost for most people; easy to also buy BNB |
| deBridge | Ethereum gas plus a protocol fee and spread built into the quote | Usually minutes | Smart contracts and solvers | Self-custody, cross-chain swaps into BNB |
| Celer cBridge | Ethereum gas plus a bridge fee shown in the quote | Usually minutes | Liquidity pools and Celer’s validator network | Self-custody transfers of ETH |
| Bridge aggregator (e.g., the one listed in BNB Chain docs, or LI.FI-based apps) | Ethereum gas plus the chosen route’s fee | Varies by route | Depends on underlying bridge (Stargate/LayerZero, Celer, deBridge, others) | Comparing several routes at once |
Stargate, built on LayerZero, appears among the route providers BNB Chain’s bridge tool draws from, but whether it offers a direct ETH route to BSC depends on its liquidity pools at the time; an aggregator will only show it when it’s available. For a broader look at bridge designs and providers, see our ranking of the best crypto bridges.
Before you start: add BNB Smart Chain to MetaMask
- Open MetaMask and click the network selector at the top.
- Choose BNB Chain (BNB Smart Chain) from the list of popular networks and approve the addition. Using the built-in list avoids typing details from an untrusted site.
- If adding it manually, BNB Smart Chain mainnet uses chain ID 56, currency symbol BNB and the block explorer bscscan.com. Take the RPC URL from BNB Chain’s official documentation.
- Your address is the same 0x address you use on Ethereum. You don’t need a new wallet.
Method 1: How to bridge ETH to BNB Chain through an exchange
- Check support. Confirm your exchange lists ETH withdrawals on BNB Smart Chain (often labeled “BSC” or “BEP20”). Binance supports this route; availability on other exchanges varies by region, and some US exchanges don’t offer BSC withdrawals.
- Deposit ETH on Ethereum. In the exchange, open Deposit, select ETH and the Ethereum (ERC-20) network, then send ETH from your wallet to that address. Wait for the required confirmations.
- Optionally buy a little BNB for gas while you’re on the exchange.
- Withdraw on BSC. Open Withdraw, choose ETH, select the BNB Smart Chain (BEP20) network, paste your MetaMask address and confirm. Do the same for any BNB you bought.
- Check arrival in MetaMask with the BNB Chain network selected. If you don’t see ETH, add the token (next section).
This route requires an account with identity verification, and your ETH sits with the exchange for the duration of the transfer.
Method 2: How to bridge ETH to BNB with a self-custody bridge
- Open the bridge by typing its official address or following the link from its verified documentation. Fake bridge sites are a common phishing route.
- Connect MetaMask while on the Ethereum network.
- Set the route: From Ethereum, token ETH; To BNB Smart Chain, token ETH (to bridge) or BNB (to swap across).
- Enable a gas top-up if offered. Some bridges and aggregators can deliver a small amount of BNB with your transfer, solving the “no gas on arrival” problem.
- Review the quote: amount received, fees, estimated time and the destination address. Check slippage settings if a swap is involved.
- Confirm in MetaMask and pay the Ethereum gas. Native ETH transfers need no separate token approval; bridging WETH or other tokens may require an approval transaction first.
- Track the transfer using the bridge’s status page or its transaction explorer. Keep the Ethereum transaction hash until the funds land.
Our general guide to how to bridge crypto explains the four bridge designs if you want to understand what happens behind the quote.
Getting BNB for gas on BNB Smart Chain
Every transaction on BSC, including moving or swapping your bridged ETH, costs gas paid in BNB. BSC fees are typically a small fraction of Ethereum’s, so you only need a little. Options:
- Withdraw a small amount of BNB from an exchange to your BSC address.
- Use a bridge’s gas top-up or “refuel” option.
- Bridge or swap a slightly larger amount directly into BNB, as described above.
Without BNB in the wallet, your bridged ETH will arrive safely but you won’t be able to move it until you add some.
Verify the ETH token contract on BSC
Scammers create fake tokens named “ETH” or “Ethereum” on BSC and airdrop them to wallets or seed fake liquidity pools. Before adding a custom token or trading, confirm the contract:
- On BscScan, the widely used bridged ETH token is labeled Binance-Peg Ethereum Token (ETH). Its contract is commonly listed as 0x2170Ed0880ac9A755fd29B2688956BD959F933F8. Cross-check that address on BscScan and on a major data site such as CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap rather than trusting any single source, including this page.
- In MetaMask, choose “Import tokens,” paste the verified contract, and the symbol and decimals should fill in automatically.
- Some bridges deliver their own wrapped version of ETH rather than Binance-Peg ETH. The bridge will show which token you’ll receive; check whether BSC apps you plan to use accept it before you bridge.
Binance-Peg tokens are custodial: Binance holds the backing assets on Ethereum. That’s a different trust model from native ETH on Ethereum or on its layer-2 networks.
Risks and common mistakes
- Wrong network on an exchange withdrawal. Choosing ERC-20 instead of BEP20 sends ETH to Ethereum (more expensive but still in your wallet); choosing a network your wallet doesn’t support can make recovery difficult.
- Bridge exploits. Bridges hold large pools of value and have been major hacking targets, including a 2022 exploit of BNB Chain’s own cross-chain infrastructure. Bridge only what you need. Our page on whether bridging crypto is safe covers how to assess a bridge.
- Phishing sites and fake support. Bookmark bridge URLs; no legitimate support agent will ask for your seed phrase to “fix” a stuck transfer.
- Unlimited token approvals. If you bridge tokens rather than native ETH, consider approving only the amount you’re moving and revoke approvals afterwards.
- Tax. In the US, moving ETH between your own wallets on different chains via a bridge is often treated as non-taxable, but swapping ETH for BNB is a taxable disposal. The treatment of wrapped and bridged tokens isn’t fully settled, so keep records.
More route-specific walkthroughs live in our crypto bridging hub.
FAQ
How long does it take to bridge ETH to BNB Chain?
Most modern bridges complete ETH-to-BSC transfers in a few minutes, though times stretch when Ethereum is congested or the bridge needs extra confirmations. Exchange routes depend on how many Ethereum confirmations the exchange requires before crediting your deposit, plus its withdrawal processing, usually under an hour. If a bridge transfer exceeds its estimate, check its status page with your transaction hash before contacting support.
Why don’t I see my ETH on BNB Chain after bridging?
First, make sure MetaMask is set to BNB Chain, not Ethereum. If it still doesn’t show, the token likely needs to be imported: look up your address on BscScan, find the token you received, and import that contract into MetaMask. If BscScan shows nothing, check the bridge’s transaction tracker; the transfer may still be pending.
Is Binance-Peg ETH the same as real ETH?
It tracks ETH’s price 1:1 and is redeemable through Binance, but it’s a BEP-20 token on BNB Smart Chain backed by ETH that Binance holds in custody. You rely on Binance maintaining those reserves. To get native ETH back on Ethereum, bridge it back or deposit it to an exchange and withdraw on the Ethereum network.
What’s the cheapest way to move ETH to BSC?
If you already have an exchange account that supports both networks, depositing ETH and withdrawing on BEP20 is often the cheapest because the exchange charges a flat withdrawal fee. For self-custody, compare quotes in a bridge aggregator at a time when Ethereum gas is low, since the Ethereum-side transaction is usually the biggest cost.
Crypto is volatile and risky; this is education, not financial advice. Do your own research.
