Create an ERC-20 Token on Ethereum & L2s
A complete guide to creating your own ERC-20 token. Learn how to choose the right network, understand costs, avoid common mistakes, and get your contract verified.
Create ERC-20 Token NowChoosing the Right Network
The ERC-20 standard works across all EVM-compatible networks. Your choice depends on budget, speed requirements, and target audience.
Ethereum Mainnet
Maximum credibility & ecosystemBest for serious projects needing the most established blockchain. Highest gas fees but deepest liquidity.
Base
Lowest cost + Coinbase ecosystemBacked by Coinbase. Very low fees, growing rapidly. Great for consumer-facing projects.
Arbitrum
DeFi ecosystem + low feesLargest L2 by TVL. Strong DeFi ecosystem with Uniswap, SushiSwap, and many others.
Polygon
Established L2 + enterprise adoptionOne of the oldest L2s. Strong enterprise partnerships (Starbucks, Nike). Uses POL for gas.
Optimism
OP Stack + governancePowers the OP Stack (Base is built on it). Active governance and retroactive public goods funding.
Avalanche
Fast finality + subnet potentialSub-second finality. Ability to create custom subnets for dedicated blockchains.
Cost Comparison by Network
| Network | Deploy Fee | Gas Fee | Total (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | 0.008 ETH | $5–50 | $25–70 |
| Base | 0.008 ETH | $0.01 | ~$25 |
| Arbitrum | 0.008 ETH | $0.05 | ~$25 |
| Polygon | 35 POL | $0.01 | ~$15 |
| Optimism | 0.008 ETH | $0.05 | ~$25 |
| Avalanche | 1.5 AVAX | $0.05 | ~$50 |
Prices are approximate and depend on current token prices and network congestion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Deploying on Ethereum mainnet without checking gas
Ethereum gas can spike to $50+ during busy periods. Check gas prices at ethgasstation.info before deploying, or consider an L2 network for significantly lower costs.
Not having enough native token for gas
Each network uses a different token for gas: ETH (Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism), POL (Polygon), AVAX (Avalanche). Make sure you have enough of the right token.
Confusing token addresses across networks
The same token name on different networks creates different contract addresses. Keep track of which address belongs to which network to avoid confusion.
Skipping contract verification
Unverified contracts are a major red flag. TokenGeneratorApp auto-verifies all deployments, so this is handled for you, but it's important to understand why verification matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Base and Polygon are the cheapest options with gas fees under $0.05. Arbitrum and Optimism are also very affordable at around $0.05–0.10 in gas. Ethereum mainnet is the most expensive, with gas fees ranging from $5 to $50+ depending on network congestion.
No, not directly. Each deployment is on a specific blockchain. To have your token on multiple networks, you would need to deploy separate contracts on each chain. Cross-chain bridging requires additional bridge infrastructure that is beyond basic token creation.
Layer 2 networks (Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon) settle their transactions on Ethereum mainnet, inheriting its security. They offer much lower fees and faster speeds. Your token is still an ERC-20 token regardless of which network you choose.
No. MetaMask and other EVM wallets work with all supported networks. You just need to switch the active network in your wallet. Our tool will prompt you to switch automatically if needed.
After deployment, go to app.uniswap.org, select your network, click "Pool" → "New Position", paste your token contract address, pair it with ETH or a stablecoin, set a price range, and add liquidity. You'll need both tokens in your wallet.
Yes. ERC-20 is a universal standard. Your token will work on any DEX that operates on the same network — Uniswap (Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon), SushiSwap, QuickSwap (Polygon), Trader Joe (Avalanche), and many others.
18 decimals is the standard and recommended value. This matches ETH and most major tokens. Some stablecoins use 6 decimals (USDC, USDT), but unless you have a specific reason, stick with 18.
You can create a token with any name, but creating a functional stablecoin requires a peg mechanism (algorithmic, collateral-backed, etc.) that goes beyond basic token creation. Our tool creates standard fungible tokens.
Ready to Create Your ERC-20 Token?
Open-source. Verified. 6 networks supported.