> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://polygon-bridge-docs.gitbook.io/polygon-bridge-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://polygon-bridge-docs.gitbook.io/polygon-bridge-docs/polygon-bridge-docs.md).

# Polygon Bridge Docs

**The Polygon Bridge is the set of official bridges that move ETH and ERC-20 tokens between Ethereum and Polygon, accessed through Polygon Portal.** The main route is the Polygon PoS bridge, which uses a checkpoint mechanism to settle transfers on Ethereum. Deposits arrive in minutes; withdrawals wait for the next checkpoint. The official interface is the [Polygon Bridge](https://polygonbridge.app/).

| Property         | Detail                                                     |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Official portal  | Polygon Portal                                             |
| Main route       | Polygon PoS bridge (checkpoint-based)                      |
| Native token     | POL (migrated from MATIC)                                  |
| Deposit time     | Minutes                                                    |
| Withdrawal time  | Waits for the next Ethereum checkpoint (up to a few hours) |
| Main cost driver | Ethereum L1 gas                                            |
| zkEVM bridge     | Being sunset — withdraw/claim funds                        |

<details>

<summary>Is Polygon Portal the Official Bridge?</summary>

Yes. Polygon Portal is the official bridge aggregator for Polygon; it routes to Polygon PoS and AggLayer-connected chains from a single interface. Third-party bridges (Across, Hop, Stargate) are independent and often faster or cheaper for small transfers, but they are not the canonical route. Guides: [is Polygon Portal the official bridge](https://polygonbridge.app//is-polygon-portal-official-bridge/) · [supported chains](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-portal-supported-chains/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>How Do You Bridge to Polygon?</summary>

To bridge, connect your wallet to Polygon Portal, choose the asset and the source chain, confirm on Ethereum, and the funds arrive on Polygon PoS within minutes. Add the network to your wallet first if you have not already. Guides: [how to bridge to Polygon](https://polygonbridge.app//how-to-bridge-to-polygon/) · [bridge ETH](https://polygonbridge.app//how-to-bridge-eth-to-polygon/) · [bridge USDC](https://polygonbridge.app//how-to-bridge-usdc-to-polygon/) · [bridge DAI, USDT & WBTC](https://polygonbridge.app//bridge-dai-usdt-wbtc-to-polygon/) · [add Polygon (POL) to MetaMask](https://polygonbridge.app//add-polygon-mainnet-to-metamask-pol/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>What Does the Polygon Bridge Cost, and What's the Cheapest Route?</summary>

The official Polygon PoS bridge is trust-minimized, but its cost is dominated by Ethereum L1 gas — which is why a deposit can look expensive during network congestion. For small transfers, a third-party liquidity bridge is frequently cheaper because it avoids a full L1 settlement. Guides: [gas fees](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-bridge-gas-fees/) · [cheapest way to bridge](https://polygonbridge.app//cheapest-way-to-bridge-to-polygon/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>How Long Does a Polygon Bridge Withdrawal Take?</summary>

Withdrawing from Polygon PoS to Ethereum waits for the next checkpoint — a batch of Polygon blocks submitted to Ethereum — which typically completes within a few hours rather than instantly. A pending withdrawal is progressing through checkpoint inclusion, not stuck. It is also possible to exit via a third-party route without the Portal. Guides: [withdrawal time](https://polygonbridge.app//how-long-polygon-bridge-withdrawal/) · [checkpoints vs finality](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-checkpoints-vs-finality/) · [withdraw without Portal](https://polygonbridge.app//withdraw-from-polygon-without-portal/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>Is the Polygon Bridge Safe and Audited?</summary>

The Polygon PoS bridge is the canonical, audited bridge and secures a large share of Polygon's value; the main user risks are phishing look-alike sites and unverified tokens rather than the core contracts. Verify contract addresses before interacting and cross-check independent risk analysis on [L2BEAT](https://l2beat.com/scaling/projects/polygon-pos). Guides: [is it safe](https://polygonbridge.app//is-the-polygon-bridge-safe/) · [is it audited](https://polygonbridge.app//is-polygon-bridge-audited/) · [contract addresses](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-bridge-contract-address/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>MATIC → POL: What Changed?</summary>

POL is now the native gas and staking token of Polygon; MATIC was migrated to POL, so most users should hold and use POL. If your wallet still shows MATIC or defaults to it, update the token and network settings. Guides: [migrate MATIC to POL](https://polygonbridge.app//how-to-migrate-matic-to-pol/) · [is MATIC still used](https://polygonbridge.app//is-matic-still-used-on-polygon/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>Polygon zkEVM Bridge Is Being Sunset — What to Do</summary>

Polygon is sunsetting Polygon zkEVM, so its bridge should not be treated as a long-term route; users with assets there should claim or withdraw them and move DeFi positions out before deprecation. Confirm the current status before depositing anything new. Guides: [zkEVM bridge sunset](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-zkevm-bridge-sunset/) · [is the zkEVM bridge live](https://polygonbridge.app//is-polygon-zkevm-bridge-live/) · [claim zkEVM funds](https://polygonbridge.app//claim-polygon-zkevm-funds/) · [DeFi funds after sunset](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-zkevm-defi-funds-after-sunset/).

</details>

<details>

<summary>AggLayer vs the Polygon PoS Bridge</summary>

AggLayer is Polygon's cross-chain settlement layer that connects multiple chains with shared, near-instant interoperability, whereas the Polygon PoS bridge is the established checkpoint-based route to Polygon PoS. For most users bridging to Polygon PoS today, the Portal route still applies. Guide: [AggLayer vs Polygon PoS bridge](https://polygonbridge.app//agglayer-vs-polygon-pos-bridge/).

</details>

## Polygon Bridge vs Other Routes

| Route                               | Speed                                 | Cost (small transfer) | Trust model                   |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | --------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Polygon Portal (PoS bridge)         | Deposits minutes; withdrawals \~hours | Higher (L1 gas)       | Canonical, checkpoint-secured |
| Third-party (Across, Hop, Stargate) | Fast — minutes both ways              | Often cheaper         | Adds bridge-provider trust    |

Use the official Portal for canonical assets and large, trust-sensitive transfers; a liquidity bridge can win on speed and cost for small moves. Comparisons: [Portal vs Across, Hop & Stargate](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-portal-vs-across-hop-stargate/) · [vs Arbitrum, Optimism & Base bridges](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-bridge-vs-arbitrum-optimism-base/).

## Developer Integration

Bridge programmatically with the official SDK rather than hard-coding addresses, and request token mapping if your ERC-20 is not yet supported on the bridge. Guides: [Matic.js: bridge an ERC-20](https://polygonbridge.app//matic-js-bridge-erc20-to-polygon/) · [token mapping request](https://polygonbridge.app//polygon-bridge-token-mapping-request/).

***

For general bridging background see Ethereum.org's [bridges documentation](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/bridges/) and the [Polygon documentation](https://docs.polygon.technology/), or browse all [Polygon Bridge guides](https://polygonbridge.app//guides/).


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