How to Send ETH: Complete Ethereum Transfer Guide (Address, Fees & Hardware Wallet)

LeeMaimai

/Sep 11, 2025

Key Takeaways

• Understand the difference between software and hardware wallets.

• Always verify recipient addresses before sending ETH.

• Gas fees are necessary for processing transactions and vary based on network congestion.

• Use tools and strategies to optimize transaction fees.

• Transactions on the Ethereum network are irreversible once confirmed.

Ethereum was proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013, and with the introduction of smart contracts, it fundamentally reshaped the blockchain landscape. Beyond financial transactions, it gave rise to a massive ecosystem of decentralized applications and digital assets. Today, knowing how to securely send and receive Ethereum (ETH) has become an essential skill for all users.

This guide will walk you step by step—from the underlying principles to hands-on practice—on how to safely and quickly transfer ETH to another wallet, while explaining transaction fees and common questions.

How Ethereum Transfers Work

To send ETH from one wallet to another, you first need an Ethereum wallet. Wallets come in different forms:

Software Wallets: Web, desktop, or mobile apps; convenient to use.
Hardware Wallets: Physical devices that isolate private keys; more secure.

Ethereum wallets usually let you manage multiple accounts. Each account is defined by a public key and a private key:

Public Key: The unique identifier of your account.
Private Key: Used to control funds.

Because public keys are long and complex, wallets present them as wallet addresses (usually starting with 0x).
When you initiate a transaction:

Enter the recipient’s address and amount.
Your wallet signs the transaction with your private key.
The transaction is broadcast to Ethereum nodes for validation.
Once confirmed, ETH is moved from your address to the recipient’s.

What is an Ethereum Wallet Address?

An Ethereum wallet address is like your “bank account number on the blockchain,” serving as the unique identifier for sending and receiving ETH.

To receive ETH:

Create and set up an Ethereum wallet.
Locate your wallet address (a long string starting with 0x).
Share the address with the sender.
Once confirmed on-chain, your balance will update.

Important: Never share your private key or mnemonic phrase. Only provide your wallet address.

3 Steps to Complete an ETH Transfer

Get and Enter the Recipient Address
Copy the recipient’s Ethereum address (0x...) and paste it into your wallet. Double-check it carefully—transactions are irreversible.
Enter the Transfer Amount
Input the amount of ETH. Ensure your balance covers both the transfer amount and the network fee (Gas Fee).
Confirm and Send
Review all details (address, amount, fee). Gas depends on network activity; higher fees speed confirmation. Submit once correct.
Use a block explorer like Etherscan to track the transaction hash (TXID).

Reminder: Once confirmed, Ethereum transactions cannot be reversed.

Transaction Fees (Gas Fee)

Is Sending ETH Free?

No. Every ETH transfer requires a Gas Fee to pay validators for processing.

What is a Gas Fee?

Gas fees are measured in gwei (1 gwei = 1e-9 ETH). They compensate validators and keep the network running.

How Much Does It Cost?

Fees depend on network congestion and transaction complexity. In January 2024, an average transfer cost around 0.0004 ETH.

Example:
Base Fee = 50 gwei, Priority Fee = 5 gwei, Transfer uses 21,000 Gas.
(50 + 5) × 21,000 = 1,155,000 gwei = 0.001155 ETH.
At $2,000/ETH, the fee ≈ $2.31.

Gas fees don’t depend on how much ETH you send—whether 0.1 or 10 ETH, fees are similar. What matters is network load and complexity.

Fee Formula

Total Fee = (Base Fee + Priority Fee) × Gas Units

Base Fee: Automatically adjusted based on network congestion; burned after use, reducing ETH supply.
Priority Fee (Tip): Optional incentive for validators to prioritize your transaction.

How to Adjust Fees

Manual setting: Some wallets let you choose Gas price. Higher = faster confirmation; too low = stuck.
Speed-up option: If stuck, wallets allow resending with a higher fee.

Ways to Save on Fees

Transact during off-peak hours.
Lower gas price manually (risking delays).
Batch transactions to save costs.
Use Layer 2 solutions (Arbitrum, Optimism) for cheaper transfers.
Monitor fees with Gas tracking tools.

How Long Does a Transfer Take?

Usually 15 seconds to 5 minutes, depending on congestion and platform requirements.

Can You Send ETH to Someone Without a Wallet?

No. Recipients must have a valid Ethereum address.
Some exchanges allow internal transfers, but they are custodial. To truly own ETH, funds must go into a self-custody wallet.

Common Questions

Can ETH be sent for free?
No. Every transaction requires Gas.
Can ETH be used like money?
Yes. ETH is a currency. To use fiat (USD/EUR), you must exchange it via an exchange.
What if my transaction fails or gets stuck?
Likely due to low Gas. Use “Speed Up” or resend with a higher fee.

Conclusion

Sending ETH to another wallet is a fundamental crypto operation:

Understand wallets and addresses.
Learn how to receive and send securely.
Know how Gas fees work and how to optimize them.

As long as you carefully verify addresses and amounts, transfers are safe and efficient.
For even stronger security, use a hardware wallet like OneKey Pro to keep your private keys offline and safe from hackers.