Across Bridge helps you move funds when your crypto is on one chain but you need it on another. Maybe your ETH is on Ethereum and you want to use it on Base. Maybe you have funds on Arbitrum but need them on Optimism. The goal is not complicated: get the right asset to the right destination chain without paying more than necessary or sending it somewhere you did not mean to send it.
This guide walks through the process from setup to confirmation, with practical steps instead of protocol jargon.
Across Bridge is a cross-chain bridge, not a swap AMM. You are not trading through a pool. You deposit on the source chain, a relayer quickly fills the request on the destination chain, and that relayer is later reimbursed after optimistic settlement. That relayer fill is why transfers can feel fast compared with waiting for slower settlement paths.
What You'll Need
Before you start, get the basics ready:
- A non-custodial wallet, such as MetaMask.
- Funds on the source chain.
- The destination chain you want to use, such as Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, Polygon, or zkSync.
- A little crypto for gas on the source chain.
- The exact token and amount you want to bridge.
The source chain is where your funds are now. The destination chain is where you want the funds to arrive. Keep those two ideas separate, because many wallet mistakes come from selecting the wrong network at the wrong time.
Step 1: Connect Your Wallet
Connect your wallet to the bridge interface. MetaMask or another wallet will ask you to approve the connection.
Connecting does not move funds. It only lets the bridge read your public address and prepare transactions for you to review. If your wallet is on the wrong network, switch only after checking that the selected source chain matches where your funds actually are.
Step 2: Pick Source and Destination Chains
Choose the source chain first, then the destination chain. If your funds are on Ethereum and you want them on Base, Ethereum is the source and Base is the destination. If your funds are on Arbitrum and you want them on Optimism, Arbitrum is the source and Optimism is the destination.
Do not pick a chain because it sounds familiar. Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Polygon, and zkSync are separate environments. Your address may look the same across them, but balances do not automatically follow you.
Step 3: Choose the Token and Amount
Select the token you want to bridge and enter the amount. Check the token symbol, the chain, and the amount before you continue.
Leave enough funds for gas. This matters most when moving ETH, because ETH may be both the asset you are transferring and the asset needed to pay network fees. If you bridge nearly all of it, your wallet may not have enough left to complete the transaction or use the source chain afterward.
Also remember that bridging is not swapping. If you bridge one token, you should expect to receive that bridged asset on the destination chain, not a completely different token.
Step 4: Review Fees and Expected Output
Before signing, review what the interface shows. Look for the amount sent, the estimated amount received, the bridge fee, and the wallet gas prompt.
There are several costs to consider:
- Source-chain gas for submitting the transaction.
- Bridge fee related to the route and available liquidity.
- Destination-chain gas you may need later to use the funds.
Fees can change with network conditions and liquidity. Do not assume one transfer tells you what the next one will cost. If the amount is small, fees may matter more than you expect.
Step 5: Confirm the Transfer
When the route looks right, confirm the transaction in your wallet. This is the moment to slow down.
Before approving on Across Bridge, check four things: source chain, destination chain, token, and amount. Then look at the estimated received amount and gas cost. If anything looks wrong, cancel and start again.
Step 6: Wait for the Destination Fill
After your source-chain transaction is submitted, Across relayers can fill your request on the destination chain. In simple terms, the relayer fronts the funds where you want them, then gets reimbursed later through optimistic settlement.
That does not mean every transfer takes the same amount of time. Network congestion, route conditions, wallet delays, and liquidity can all affect the experience. Treat any displayed timing as an estimate, not a promise.
When the transfer is filled, switch your wallet to the destination chain and check the balance there. If the token does not appear automatically, you may need to import the token display in your wallet. First make sure you are viewing the right network.
Step 7: Use the Funds on the Destination Chain
Once the funds arrive, they are available on the destination chain. You can use them with apps on that chain, hold them there, or send them onward.
One more check: make sure you have the gas token needed for your next action. Bridging a token to Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, or zkSync does not always mean you have enough gas for every follow-up transaction.
Common Mistakes That Cost Money
Choosing the wrong destination chain. If you meant Base but selected Optimism, the funds may arrive somewhere you did not plan to use. Always verify the destination before signing.
Picking the wrong token. Token symbols and logos can look similar. Confirm the asset, not just the ticker.
Ignoring fees. Bridge fees and gas affect what you receive. Review the final output, especially for smaller transfers.
Using an unofficial front-end. Be careful with ads, lookalike pages, and random links. Use a trusted route to reach the bridge.
Bridging everything. Leave enough gas for the current transaction and for anything you may need to do next.
Assuming no risk. Cross-chain bridges can involve smart-contract risk, wallet approval mistakes, wrong-chain errors, changing fees, and liquidity limits. A careful process reduces avoidable mistakes, but cannot remove every risk.
Across Bridge Makes More Sense When You Check First
The clean workflow is simple: connect your wallet, choose the correct source and destination chains, select the token and amount, review fees, confirm in your wallet, and check the destination chain after the fill.
When you are ready to move supported funds, use Across Bridge with one final review of the chain, token, amount, fees, and receiving wallet before you sign.
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