MetaMask only displays ETH and a few major tokens by default. If you hold other ERC-20 or BEP-20 tokens, you need to add them manually to see their balances. This article covers all the methods and important considerations for adding custom tokens to MetaMask.
Why Doesn't MetaMask Show All Tokens Automatically?
Ethereum and BSC have tens of thousands of tokens. If MetaMask automatically displayed all of them, the interface would be cluttered and require massive network requests to check balances. So MetaMask uses an on-demand approach, only showing tokens that users actively add.
However, newer versions of MetaMask support auto-detection of popular tokens. If you hold well-known tokens like USDT, USDC, or UNI, MetaMask may automatically prompt you to add them.
How to Manually Add a Token via Contract Address?
This is the most common and accurate method. Every token has a unique contract address that precisely identifies it.
Step 1: Get the Token Contract Address
Find the token's contract address on a blockchain explorer:
- Ethereum tokens: Search on etherscan.io
- BSC tokens: Search on bscscan.com
- Polygon tokens: Search on polygonscan.com
For example, USDT on Ethereum has the contract address: 0xdAC17F958D2ee523a2206206994597C13D831ec7
Note: The same token has different contract addresses on different chains. Make sure you're looking up the address for the network MetaMask is currently connected to.
Step 2: Add in MetaMask
- Open MetaMask
- Ensure you're connected to the correct network
- Scroll to the bottom of the token list
- Click "Import tokens"
- Select the "Custom token" tab
Step 3: Enter Token Information
- Paste the contract address in the "Token contract address" field
- MetaMask will auto-fill the token symbol and decimals
- Confirm the information is correct and click "Add custom token"
- Click "Import tokens" on the confirmation page
After successful addition, the token appears in your asset list showing the current balance.
How to Add Tokens Using the Search Function?
MetaMask has a built-in token search feature for adding popular tokens.
- Open MetaMask and click "Import tokens"
- In the "Search" tab, enter the token name or symbol
- Select the correct token from the results
- Click "Next" then confirm the addition
This is more convenient but only works for well-known tokens listed in databases like CoinGecko. For newly launched or niche tokens, use the contract address method instead.
How to Enable Auto-Detection?
MetaMask can automatically detect tokens held at your address and prompt you to add them.
How to enable:
- Open MetaMask Settings
- Go to "Security & Privacy"
- Find "Token Detection"
- Enable auto-detection
Once enabled, MetaMask periodically scans your address and prompts you to add any tokens it finds. This feature relies on third-party APIs, so there may be some delay.
How to Remove Added Tokens?
If you no longer hold a token or added one by mistake, you can remove it from the list.
- Find the token in the MetaMask asset list
- Right-click or click the three dots next to the token
- Select "Hide"
Hiding a token doesn't affect your on-chain assets — it simply removes it from the MetaMask display. You can re-add it anytime later.
Common Issues When Adding Tokens
Balance shows 0 after adding:
- Confirm MetaMask is connected to the right network for that token
- Verify you used the correct contract address for the current chain
- Wait for network sync and refresh the page
Contract address not recognized:
- Confirm the address format (starts with 0x, 42 characters total)
- Confirm the current network supports that token
- Check that the full address was copied
Token icon doesn't display:
- New or niche tokens may not have icon data
- This doesn't affect normal token use or trading
- Icons typically update automatically once the token is listed on more platforms
Safety Tips
When adding tokens, keep these security points in mind:
- Verify the contract address source: Only get addresses from official channels — don't trust addresses from social media or DMs
- Watch for fake tokens: Scammers create tokens with the same name as real ones — the contract address is the only way to distinguish them
- Don't interact with airdropped tokens: Unknown tokens suddenly appearing in your wallet may be phishing bait — don't try to sell or transfer them
- Use official block explorers: Verify contract addresses on etherscan.io and similar official explorers
- Don't change token decimals: Auto-filled precision is usually correct — don't modify it
- Register on Binance, Android users download the Binance App, iOS users refer to the iOS installation guide — confirm before transferring: Before withdrawing tokens from an exchange to MetaMask, ensure you've added the token and verified the address
How many tokens can MetaMask hold?
MetaMask has no explicit token limit, but adding too many may slow down the interface. In practice, a few dozen tokens work fine. It's best to only add tokens you actually hold.
Do I need to add the same token separately on different chains?
Yes. For example, USDT is deployed on Ethereum, BSC, and Polygon — you need to add it separately under each network. Each chain has a different contract address, and you need to add the corresponding token after switching networks.
Why can't I find the token I want to add?
The search function only includes some well-known tokens. If you can't find one, add it manually using the contract address. You can find token contract addresses on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap.
Will token prices update automatically?
MetaMask shows USD price estimates for well-known tokens, sourced from CoinGecko. For niche tokens, prices may not display. Check real-time prices on DeFi aggregators or exchanges.
Do NFTs need to be added manually too?
Yes. MetaMask also supports adding NFTs (ERC-721 and ERC-1155). Under the "NFTs" tab, click "Import NFT" and enter the NFT's contract address and Token ID. Newer MetaMask versions also support NFT auto-detection.