Taiko is an Ethereum Layer 2 network that keeps Ethereum’s security while promising faster, cheaper transactions. If you want to move funds on Taiko, explore its apps, or collect its airdrops, you’ll first need Taiko available as a network inside MetaMask. This guide walks you through adding Taiko to MetaMask in 2026 step by step.
You will learn what Taiko is and why it matters, the two ways to add it (one-click auto-add and manual RPC entry), the exact network parameters you need, how to confirm everything works, and the common mistakes that leave people on the wrong network. Let’s set it up properly.
id=”what-is-taiko”>What Taiko Is and Why It Exists
Taiko is a “based rollup” for Ethereum. If that term means nothing to you, here’s the short version: a rollup is a separate network that processes transactions off the main Ethereum blockchain and then bundles them together to save space and cost. A “based” rollup goes one step further by letting Ethereum’s own validators decide the order of transactions, instead of a single company running a central sequencer. Taiko supporters argue this makes it more decentralized than many competing Layer 2 networks.
The practical result is an Ethereum-compatible network where the same tools you already use — MetaMask, Ethereum-style wallets, and EVM-based apps — work unchanged. You don’t need new software or a new address: the same wallet address you have on Ethereum works on Taiko too, because both networks share the same address format.
One more concept worth knowing: Taiko is a “Type-1” rollup, which is a technical way of saying it is designed to be maximally compatible with how Ethereum itself works. For a beginner, this detail mostly means less can go wrong when an app tries to run on both networks. You generally don’t need to care about the label beyond that.
Taiko also has its own token, TAIKO, which is used in the network’s governance and incentive design. You do not need TAIKO to add the network to MetaMask. Adding a network is free and doesn’t require any tokens at all — a point scammers sometimes exploit, as you’ll see in the warning callout below.
Why Add Taiko to MetaMask?
MetaMask doesn’t ship with every network built in. Out of the box it shows Ethereum and a handful of well-known networks, and everything else must be added manually. Adding Taiko simply teaches your wallet how to connect to that network’s servers (its “RPC endpoints”) and where to look for your balance.
Once added, you can:
- Receive and send funds on Taiko — ETH on Taiko is the gas token, and apps on the network may let you earn, trade, or stake.
- Explore Taiko apps — DeFi apps, bridges, and games that run on the network all require your wallet to be connected to Taiko.
- Track airdrop activity — if you are interested in potential airdrop opportunities, on-chain activity on a network you can actually see is a prerequisite. Read our crypto airdrop explainer first if this is new territory.
- Move between networks — once Taiko is in your wallet, switching between Ethereum and Taiko takes one click in the network selector. See our guide on switching networks in MetaMask safely for the habits that keep you safe while you hop around.
Adding a network is a configuration change, not a financial one. You are not sending money anywhere, and MetaMask will never ask for your secret recovery phrase during this process. If anything does ask for it, you are looking at a scam — more on that later.
Before You Start: What You Need
The prerequisites are short. Make sure you have:
- MetaMask installed and unlocked. If you haven’t set up a wallet yet, do that first and write down your secret recovery phrase on paper. Never share it with anyone.
- A way to get Taiko’s official network details. This is the safety-critical part. Scammers run fake RPC endpoints and phishing sites that offer “quick add” buttons to networks with wrong chain IDs or malicious servers. The only sources you should trust are Taiko’s own official documentation and well-established tools. Type addresses yourself — never click a link someone DMs you.
- A few minutes and a browser. Both methods take under five minutes.
As of this guide’s writing (October 2026), the Taiko mainnet parameters are:
- Network name: Taiko
- RPC URL: https://rpc.mainnet.taiko.xyz (the official Taiko endpoint; established providers such as dRPC and Ankr also publish Taiko endpoints — always get them from their own sites)
- Chain ID: 167000 (hexadecimal: 0x28C58)
- Currency symbol: ETH (gas on Taiko is paid in ETH, not TAIKO)
- Block explorer: https://taikoscan.io
A note on the chain ID: MetaMask accepts it in decimal or hexadecimal form. 167000 in decimal is 0x28C58 in hex — same number, two notations. If a form ever asks you to enter a chain ID, double-check which format it expects.
How to Add Taiko to MetaMask, Step by Step
There are two ways to add the network. Method 1 is the one-click approach and is the safest for beginners because the parameters are filled in for you. Method 2 is the manual approach, useful if you prefer to control exactly what goes into your wallet.
| Method 1: One-click add | Method 2: Manual entry | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A trusted site or app sends the network details to MetaMask for your approval | You type the RPC URL, chain ID, and other fields yourself |
| Speed | Under a minute | A few minutes |
| Risk | Low if the source is trusted — you still review before approving | Low if you copy values from official docs — typos are the main risk |
| Best for | Beginners | Users who want full control or whose one-click flow fails |
| Where from | Taiko’s official site/bridge, or the Chainlist directory | Taiko’s official documentation |
Method 1: One-click add
- Go to a trusted source yourself. Type the address of Taiko’s official site or a well-known network directory into your browser. Never arrive via a link from social media, search ads, or DMs — phishing sites that look identical are one of the most common wallet scams.
- Find the “Add to MetaMask” (or “Add to wallet”) button. On a legitimate page this button is usually near the network details.
- Click it and check the MetaMask popup. MetaMask will show you exactly what is about to be added: network name, chain ID, RPC URL, and explorer. Compare the chain ID against the official value (167000). If anything doesn’t match, reject the request.
- Approve, then switch. MetaMask asks whether you want to switch to the new network. Approve it — you can always switch back in one click from the network selector.
Method 2: Manual entry
- Open MetaMask and click the network selector at the top of the extension (the dropdown that shows “Ethereum Mainnet” or similar).
- Click “Add network” → “Add a network manually.” In newer MetaMask versions this is under the network dropdown; in older ones it’s under Settings → Networks → Add network.
- Fill in the fields using the official parameters from this guide:
- Network name: Taiko
- RPC URL: https://rpc.mainnet.taiko.xyz
- Chain ID: 167000
- Currency symbol: ETH
- Block explorer URL: https://taikoscan.io
- Save. MetaMask will ask if you want to switch to Taiko. Say yes.
How to Verify Your Setup Works
Adding the network is only half the job — you want to be sure you added the right one. Run through these checks:
- Check the network selector. Open the network dropdown in MetaMask. “Taiko” should appear in the list. Select it.
- Check the chain ID. With Taiko selected, a block explorer or a site like the official Taiko bridge should recognize chain ID 167000. If a site shows a “wrong network” error, double-check what you entered.
- Check your balance display. Your wallet will show a balance in ETH — this is the same address you have on Ethereum, just viewed on the Taiko network. Don’t be alarmed if the balance is zero on a fresh setup; the address simply hasn’t received funds on Taiko yet.
- Try the block explorer. Type the Taiko block explorer address (taikoscan.io) into your browser yourself and paste your wallet address into its search. If the explorer finds your address, you’re on the real network.
- Send a tiny test transaction. If you’re going to move funds to Taiko, first send a very small amount and confirm it arrives. Only then move the rest. This is cheap insurance against copy-paste and address mistakes.
If you set up MetaMask on the Taiko testnet (Taiko Hoodi, chain ID 167013) instead of mainnet — for example because you’re experimenting with airdrop testnets — make sure you know which network you’re on. Mainnet and testnet look identical in the wallet; only the chain ID distinguishes them, and mainnet funds are real money.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Mistake: Wrong chain ID. Typing 16700 instead of 167000, or mixing up decimal and hexadecimal, connects you to a different network or fails entirely. Fix: remove the network (Settings → Networks → Taiko → delete) and re-add it with 167000.
- Mistake: Using a random RPC from a forum post. RPC URLs posted in comments or Discord can be malicious or dead. Fix: use the official Taiko endpoint or one from an established provider’s own website, then re-add.
- Mistake: Sending mainnet ETH to the wrong network. Before bridging or sending, confirm MetaMask shows “Taiko” selected and the destination address is correct. Fix: send a tiny test amount first, always.
- Mistake: Adding TAIKO as a custom token and expecting it to pay gas. Gas on Taiko is paid in ETH. Importing the TAIKO token lets you see a balance, but it doesn’t pay for transactions. Fix: fund the wallet with a small amount of ETH on Taiko for gas.
- Mistake: Confusing testnet and mainnet. Taiko’s public testnet is Hoodi (chain ID 167013). Addresses look the same on both. Fix: name your networks clearly in MetaMask (“Taiko” vs “Taiko Hoodi”) and glance at the network name before every transaction.
A broader habit worth building: treat every “add network” request like a permission you grant. MetaMask shows you exactly what it’s adding, and that review screen is your last line of defense. If the chain ID, RPC URL, or explorer doesn’t match what official sources say, reject it. See our Polygon setup guide for the same workflow on another network — the pattern is identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Adding Taiko to MetaMask takes a few minutes: either approve the official one-click add after checking the chain ID is 167000, or enter the network parameters manually from Taiko’s documentation. After that, verify you’re on the right network, fund gas in ETH, and send a tiny test transaction before moving anything substantial.
Keep the safety habit that makes the biggest difference: get network details only from official sources, type addresses yourself, and reject anything that doesn’t match. One careful review at the “add network” screen beats ten recovery guides.
This guide is for education only — not financial advice.
