MetaMask shows MATIC, not POL. Did I add the wrong network?

No. Polygon's native gas token was renamed from MATIC to POL, but the chain, Chain ID 137, and your address did not change. The symbol is just a label. To fix the display, open Settings, Networks, Polygon Mainnet, and change the Currency symbol to POL. Ignore any 'claim your POL' message that asks you to connect somewhere or share your recovery phrase.

Where should I copy the Polygon network details from?

Use chainlist.org, the official Polygon docs, or polygonscan.com. Never copy an RPC URL from a random social post or direct message. A malicious RPC can see your IP, return fake balances, or tamper with what you sign.

Why does my Polygon transaction fail when I have tokens but no POL?

Every action on Polygon costs a small gas fee paid in POL. With a zero POL balance the transaction cannot go through, even if your USDC or other tokens sit ready. Keep a little POL in the wallet for gas.

🧭 Guide 🔰 Beginner 🪜 Step by step

🟣 How to Add the Polygon Network to MetaMask Add Polygon to MetaMask

Get Polygon into your MetaMask wallet, then fund it with a little POL so you can move on the cheaper, faster network.

Fresh MetaMask wallets start on Ethereum only. Polygon is a separate network you switch on yourself. It is EVM-style, so the same address works, but you tell MetaMask how to reach it. The same flow later works for other chains too.

1Install MetaMask from the official site only

Get the wallet from metamask.io and the browser or app store it links to. Read the address letter by letter — fake MetaMask copies are built to drain funds.

Type the address yourself instead of clicking ads; sponsored search results are a common phishing route.
2Create your wallet and write the recovery phrase offline

When MetaMask shows your Secret Recovery Phrase, write it on paper and keep it offline. Never type it into a website or share it. Anyone who has it controls your keys and your money.
3Easiest path: add Polygon from the built-in network list

Open the network dropdown at the top of MetaMask and choose Add network. Recent versions list popular networks, and Polygon often sits there for a one-click add. If you see it, pick it and approve.
4Alternative: auto-add from a trusted aggregator

No Polygon in the list? Go to chainlist.org (or scroll to the bottom of polygonscan.com), search for Polygon, click Add to MetaMask, connect your wallet, and approve the popup. The fields fill in for you.
5Manual add: enter the Polygon network details
If you prefer to type them, go to Networks > Add a custom network and enter:
- 📛 Network Name: Polygon Mainnet
- 🔌 RPC URL: https://polygon-rpc.com/
- 🆔 Chain ID: 137
- 🪙 Currency Symbol: POL
- 🔍 Block Explorer: https://polygonscan.com/
Then click Save. Only copy these from chainlist.org, the official Polygon docs, or Polygonscan — never from a stranger's message.
6Switch to Polygon Mainnet

Open the network dropdown again and pick Polygon Mainnet so it becomes the active network. Everything you do now runs on Polygon.
7Fund it with a little POL for gas

Polygon charges a small gas fee in POL for every action. Get some by bridging from Ethereum through the official Polygon Portal, or by withdrawing from an exchange straight to your Polygon address.

Send a tiny test amount first to confirm it arrives before moving more.
8Optional: import a token by its contract address

Tokens like USDC or USDT may not appear on their own. Use Import tokens and paste the contract address copied from a trusted source such as polygonscan.com.

⚠️ Common mistakes — stay safe

🎣 Fake MetaMask: install only from metamask.io, never from an ad or a sent link.
🔌 Bad RPC details: copy network settings from chainlist.org, official docs, or Polygonscan only.
🔑 Recovery phrase: never type or share it; no real support agent will ask for it.
🪙 MATIC vs POL: seeing "MATIC" is cosmetic on the same chain — ignore "claim your POL" scams.
⛽ Zero gas: keep a little POL, or transactions on Polygon will fail.

❓ FAQ

MetaMask shows MATIC, not POL. Did I add the wrong network?: No. Polygon's native gas token was renamed from MATIC to POL, but the chain, Chain ID 137, and your address did not change. The symbol is just a label. To fix the display, open Settings, Networks, Polygon Mainnet, and change the Currency symbol to POL. Ignore any 'claim your POL' message that asks you to connect somewhere or share your recovery phrase.
Where should I copy the Polygon network details from?: Use chainlist.org, the official Polygon docs, or polygonscan.com. Never copy an RPC URL from a random social post or direct message. A malicious RPC can see your IP, return fake balances, or tamper with what you sign.
Why does my Polygon transaction fail when I have tokens but no POL?: Every action on Polygon costs a small gas fee paid in POL. With a zero POL balance the transaction cannot go through, even if your USDC or other tokens sit ready. Keep a little POL in the wallet for gas.

🔗 Related

🟣 Polygon 💎 Ethereum 👛 Wallet 🔑 Seed Phrase ⛽ Gas Fee 🌉 Bridge 🔍 Block Explorer