Wallet funding
How to get SOL on Solana — fund by wallet
You need real SOL on mainnet before you can pay on-chain. The steps depend on which wallet app you use. Pick Phantom, Solflare, or Backpack below, fund your address, then practice a 0.001 SOL roll in the panel under this page.
Free demo below
Phantom · Solflare · Backpack
From 0.001 SOL
Pick your wallet
Buy, exchange withdraw, and receive screens differ per app. Open the guide that matches your wallet.
| Wallet | Best for | Funding guide |
|---|---|---|
| Phantom | Most popular browser extension; in-app buy in supported regions | Get SOL in Phantom |
| Solflare | Mobile-first wallet; strong exchange withdraw flow | Get SOL in Solflare |
| Backpack | xNFT-aware wallet; extension + mobile | Get SOL in Backpack |
Three ways to get SOL (any wallet)
All paths end with SOL in your wallet on Mainnet Beta.
| Method | How it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buy in-app | Wallet partners with an on-ramp; you pay with card or bank | Availability and KYC vary by country and wallet |
| Exchange withdraw | Buy SOL on Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.; withdraw to your wallet address on Solana network | Double-check network — not Ethereum or BSC |
| Receive from someone | Copy your wallet address; friend sends SOL on mainnet | Use the Receive screen in your wallet app |
Before you fund
- Install a wallet — if you have none yet, start at wallet tutorial or pick a setup guide: Phantom, Solflare, Backpack.
- Switch to mainnet — wallet must show Mainnet Beta, not Devnet. See wrong network hub if unsure.
- Copy your address — base58 public key from Receive screen; paste carefully on exchanges.
- Fund with a buffer — keep about 0.01 SOL for micropayments plus fees. See transaction fees guide.
After SOL arrives
- Verify balance — check in-app and on wallet balance checker if numbers look stale.
- Demo first — roll free in the panel above (no SOL required).
- Connect or scan — approve a 0.001 SOL transfer via wallet connect or Solana Pay QR.
- First payment walkthrough — read your first Solana payment if anything fails.
FAQ
- How long does an exchange withdrawal take?
- Usually a few minutes once the exchange broadcasts the transaction. Check the withdrawal status on the exchange and look up the signature on Solscan.
- I funded but payment says insufficient SOL
- You need payment amount plus a tiny network fee. See insufficient SOL hub.
- Can I get free SOL for testing?
- Devnet faucets give test SOL on Devnet only — it cannot pay live mainnet sites. Use the free demo roll above without any wallet.