Three chains, one destination
Avalanche runs an X-Chain for transfers, a P-Chain for staking and a C-Chain that implements the Ethereum Virtual Machine and runs smart contracts (Avalanche Support). Bridged stablecoins, wallets and applications live on the C-Chain, and that is the network every quote on this page is for.
The addresses are not interchangeable
X-Chain addresses begin with X-avax and P-Chain addresses with P-avax
(Avalanche Support),
while the C-Chain, being an EVM chain, uses the familiar 0x form. Exchanges list these as separate
withdrawal networks under one asset name, which is where funds go missing: an AVAX withdrawal sent to the
X-Chain will not appear in a wallet watching the C-Chain.
Gas on the C-Chain is paid in AVAX
Transactions on the C-Chain are paid for in AVAX, so a stablecoin transfer that arrives on its own leaves you holding a balance you cannot move. If the plan is to swap or forward after bridging, arrive with a little AVAX as well.
Bridge or exchange
Where an exchange we track supports the Avalanche C-Chain for the token you selected, its withdrawal fee is shown beside the bridge quotes, including when it is the lower one. It does not include the cost of getting funds onto the exchange, trading fees or account requirements.
Questions
What is the Avalanche bridge?
Avalanche has a native bridge to Ethereum, and several third-party bridges quote the same route along with routes from other networks. The comparison above shows what each of the providers we track would actually deliver, so the native route is not automatically the cheapest one.
How do I bridge to Avalanche?
Transfers land on the C-Chain, the EVM part of Avalanche and the one wallets and exchanges mean when they simply say "Avalanche". Choose the source network, token and amount to compare what each provider delivers there.
How do I add AVAX to MetaMask?
Avalanche is one of the networks MetaMask supports, and in MetaMask that means the C-Chain: switch it on from "Additional networks" if it is not there already. An address there starts with 0x and cannot receive funds sent to an X-Chain or P-Chain address.
How do I send AVAX to MetaMask?
On the withdrawal screen, pick the C-Chain option rather than X-Chain. Exchanges list them separately and an address for one of them is not an address for another.
How do I bridge AVAX to Polygon?
Avalanche and Polygon have no shared official bridge, so the transfer runs through a third-party provider. Open the route in the tool above to see which providers quote it and what each delivers.
Sources
- Avalanche Support — differences between the X, P and C-Chains · checked 2026-09-12
- MetaMask Help Center — how to add a network · checked 2026-09-13