How to withdraw tokens from Polygon PoS to Ethereum

To withdraw tokens from Polygon PoS to Ethereum, start a withdrawal in Polygon Portal, wait for the transaction to be checkpointed, then claim the tokens on Ethereum. A checkpoint is a record of Polygon activity submitted to Ethereum so the bridge can verify the withdrawal. The guide to Polygon Bridge withdrawal times and costs explains why the wait and fees can vary. The basic trade-off is clear: the route uses the Polygon PoS bridge, but it needs a transaction on each network.

How do you start a withdrawal from Polygon PoS?

Open Polygon Portal and choose the option to bridge a token from Polygon PoS to Ethereum. Connect the wallet holding the funds, select the token, enter an amount, and review the destination network and address before confirming. The withdrawal begins with a transaction on Polygon. This burns the bridged tokens there so the corresponding assets can be released on Ethereum.

You need POL in your Polygon wallet to pay for that first transaction. Check that the token appears in the Portal and that the amount and destination are correct. Some tokens may not be supported for this route.

Why do you have to wait before claiming the tokens?

The bridge cannot release the Ethereum-side tokens until a checkpoint covers your withdrawal. Polygon validators submit these records to Ethereum, and the Portal tracks when your transaction is ready to claim. The wait is variable, so use the transaction view in the Portal to check its status rather than relying on a fixed estimate.

Once the claim is available, return to the Portal and select “Claim Tokens.” This is a second transaction, submitted on Ethereum. Keep ETH in the same wallet to pay its gas fee. Ethereum fees change with network demand, so the cost of the claim can differ from the cost of starting the withdrawal.

What should you check before withdrawing?

Plan for two fees and a pause between the transactions. The withdrawal is not complete when the tokens leave your Polygon balance; they arrive on Ethereum only after you submit the claim. Before starting, make sure you can cover both fees and can access the same wallet for the claim.

• Confirm the wallet is connected to Polygon PoS and holds the token you want to move.
• Keep POL available for the Polygon transaction and ETH for the Ethereum claim.
• Review the token, amount, and destination before approving the withdrawal.
• Track the transaction in Polygon Portal, then claim when the option appears.

Starting a withdrawal cannot be undone, but a pending claim can be completed later; Polygon says there is no time limit to finish it. For most users, the native Polygon PoS route is the straightforward choice when the token is supported and waiting is acceptable. Check the displayed fees and claim status before you begin.