Sending bitcoin on Coinbase takes about 30 seconds once you know where to click. You can send it from the mobile app or the desktop website, and the process is nearly identical on both. Here’s exactly how it works, what it costs, and what to watch for.
Sending Bitcoin From the Mobile App
Open the Coinbase app and tap the Pay tab on the bottom navigation bar. Select Bitcoin as the asset you want to send, then enter the amount. You can type either a dollar value or a specific BTC amount.
Next, choose how you want to identify the recipient. You have several options: scan their QR code, type in their Bitcoin wallet address, enter their email or phone number, or use an ENS name (a human-readable address like “name.eth”). If you’re sending to another Coinbase user’s email or phone number, the transfer happens internally and is free.
You’ll then be asked to select the network. For standard Bitcoin transactions, you’ll use the Bitcoin network. Coinbase also supports the Lightning Network, which is faster and cheaper for smaller payments. Make sure the recipient’s wallet supports whichever network you choose, because sending on the wrong network can result in lost funds.
Add an optional note, tap Preview to review the details, then tap Pay now. Coinbase may prompt you for two-factor authentication on higher-value transactions. Routine, smaller sends typically skip this step.
Sending Bitcoin From the Website
Log in to Coinbase.com and click Send crypto from your dashboard. Select Bitcoin and enter the amount you want to send. You can toggle between showing the value in dollars or in BTC.
Click the To field, choose a supported network, then either pick a saved address from your favorites or paste in a new wallet address. Click Preview Send to review everything, then click Send now. Complete two-factor authentication if prompted.
What It Costs to Send
Fees depend on where the bitcoin is going and which network you use.
- Coinbase-to-Coinbase transfers: Free. If both you and the recipient have Coinbase accounts, sending between primary balances costs nothing.
- On-chain transfers (standard Bitcoin network): Coinbase charges a fee based on its estimate of the current network fee. The exact amount fluctuates with network congestion and is shown on the preview screen before you confirm. During busy periods, fees can spike to several dollars; during quiet periods, they may be under a dollar.
- Lightning Network transfers: Coinbase charges a processing fee of 0.2% of the bitcoin amount sent. Lightning fees are typically much lower than standard on-chain fees, making it a good choice for smaller, everyday payments.
All fees are disclosed on the confirmation screen before you tap Send, so you’ll never be surprised by the cost.
How Long the Transfer Takes
Internal Coinbase-to-Coinbase sends are essentially instant. On-chain Bitcoin transactions require network confirmations from miners, which typically takes 10 to 60 minutes depending on how congested the network is. Lightning Network sends are nearly instant, usually completing in seconds.
You can track the status of any pending send from your transaction history in the app or on the website.
Choosing the Right Network
When you send bitcoin, Coinbase asks you to select a network. This matters more than most people realize. The Bitcoin (BTC) network is the default and works with virtually every bitcoin wallet. The Lightning Network is a secondary layer built on top of Bitcoin that’s designed for speed and low cost, but the recipient’s wallet must support Lightning to receive the funds.
Before you send, confirm with the recipient which network their wallet accepts. If you send bitcoin over a network the recipient doesn’t support, the funds can be permanently lost. Coinbase shows a confirmation screen with the network clearly labeled, so double-check it before hitting Send.
Double-Check the Wallet Address
Bitcoin transactions are irreversible. Once you hit Send, there’s no way to cancel or claw back the funds. Copy and paste wallet addresses rather than typing them manually, and verify at least the first and last several characters of the address on the preview screen. Even a single wrong character sends your bitcoin to the wrong place (or nowhere at all) with no recourse.
If you’re sending a large amount to a new address for the first time, consider sending a small test transaction first. The extra network fee is worth the peace of mind.
Coinbase App vs. Coinbase Wallet
Coinbase offers two products that can send bitcoin, and they work differently. The main Coinbase app (and website) is a hosted wallet, meaning Coinbase holds your crypto on your behalf and manages the private keys. If you forget your password, Coinbase can help you recover your account. This is what most people use and what the steps above describe.
Coinbase Wallet is a separate, self-custody app where you control your own private keys through a recovery phrase. Nobody, including Coinbase, can access your funds or help you recover them if you lose that phrase. Sending from Coinbase Wallet still incurs network fees, but the sending interface and security model are different. If you’re using the standard Coinbase app or website, you don’t need to worry about managing private keys or recovery phrases.
Security Features During Sends
Coinbase automatically prompts for two-factor authentication on higher-value sends. You don’t need to configure this manually; the system determines when the extra verification step is needed based on the transaction. Two-factor authentication for new logins is always required regardless of the transaction amount.
If you haven’t set up 2FA yet, you’ll be asked to do so the first time it’s triggered. Most users authenticate through a text message code or an authenticator app. Using an authenticator app is more secure than SMS, since phone numbers can be compromised through SIM-swapping attacks.