A Polygon bridge moves tokens between Polygon PoS and other networks, most often Ethereum. You can use the official Polygon Portal or a bridge aggregator that compares third-party routes: choose the token and network on each side, check the route and confirm. On Polygon, gas is paid in POL (which replaced MATIC in 2024), so keep a little POL after arriving.
Key Takeaways
- Official route: Polygon Portal; slower but no extra bridge fee.
- Aggregators: faster routes to Ethereum and to other networks.
- Gas: POL on Polygon, ETH on Ethereum.
- Common routes: Ethereum ↔ Polygon, Polygon → Arbitrum, Polygon → Solana.
Official Bridge vs Aggregator
| Polygon Portal | Bridge aggregator | |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum → Polygon | Around half an hour | Often minutes |
| Polygon → Ethereum | ~30 min to a few hours | Often minutes |
| Other networks | Limited | Many (Arbitrum, Solana, BNB Chain…) |
| Fees | Gas | Gas + provider fees |
Step by Step
- Open the swap widget and connect your wallet.
- From: your token on Polygon (for example USDT). To: the token on Ethereum or another network.
- Review routes: time, fees and amount received.
- Approve the token if needed, then confirm.
- Track until funds arrive; add the destination network to your wallet.
Tips
- Keep POL for gas on Polygon and ETH for gas on Ethereum.
- Stablecoin addresses differ by network; let the widget select tokens rather than pasting addresses.
- Small amounts: Ethereum gas may outweigh the transfer.
Network differences for stablecoins are covered in USDT networks explained. Official guidance is in the Polygon documentation.
