How to Send Bitcoin: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

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Last updated: February 2025

Contents

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Sending Bitcoin is simple once you understand wallets, addresses, fees and confirmations. Whether you’re transferring to a friend, another wallet or exchange, this guide explains how to send Bitcoin safely, how fees work and how to avoid common mistakes.

Quick Answer – How to Send Bitcoin to Another Wallet

Log in to your wallet or app.
Click Send or Withdraw.
Paste or scan the recipient’s Bitcoin address.
Enter the amount in BTC or local currency.
Select a network fee — higher fees mean faster confirmation.
Review all details, then confirm the transfer.

That said, always double-check the address, as Bitcoin transactions cannot be undone. Most wallets show a preview with estimated time and fee before sending. Once broadcast to the network, the transaction awaits miner confirmation.

What Do You Need Before Sending Bitcoin?

You’ll need a Bitcoin wallet, enough BTC to cover both the payment and network fee and the correct wallet address of the recipient. Always verify the address carefully—Bitcoin transfers can’t be reversed once they are confirmed on the blockchain.

Do I need a Bitcoin wallet first?

Yes. A wallet is required to hold and send Bitcoin. Wallets can be mobile apps, exchanges, hardware devices or desktop software. Without one, you cannot broadcast Bitcoin transactions.

Which wallet type is best?

Hardware Wallets (Ledger, Trezor): Most secure for large amounts.
Mobile Wallets (Trust Wallet, Bitcoin.com): Convenient for everyday use.
Exchange Wallets (Coinbase, Binance): Easy for beginners but funds are held by a third party.

For more on this see our page the Best Crypto Wallets.

What information do I need from the recipient?

Only their Bitcoin address is needed. It starts with “1”, “3” or “bc1”. Ensure the network you select is Bitcoin (BTC) and not Bitcoin Cash (BCH), BEP20 or Lightning unless both parties agree on it.

How to Send Bitcoin to Another Wallet (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1 – Open your Bitcoin wallet or exchange account

Log into the app or platform where your Bitcoin is stored. This could be a mobile wallet like Trust Wallet, a hardware wallet like Ledger or an exchange such as Coinbase, Binance or Kraken.

Step 2 – Navigate to “Send” or “Withdraw”

Look for the option labelled Send, Withdraw, or Transfer. On exchanges, this is usually under Wallet → Bitcoin → Withdraw. In wallet apps, it’s often shown on the main screen.

Step 3 – Enter or scan the recipient’s Bitcoin address

Paste their Bitcoin (BTC) address or use the QR scan feature. Make sure the network is set to Bitcoin (BTC) — not BEP20, Bitcoin Cash or Lightning — unless both parties support those formats.

Step 4 – Enter the amount to send

Type the amount in Bitcoin or your local currency (e.g. GBP). Some wallets let you send “max balance” after deducting network fees automatically.

Step 5 – Choose the network fee (speed vs cost)

Choose standard, fast or custom fee. Higher fees confirm faster. Low fees may take hours during congestion. This fee goes to miners, not your wallet or exchange.

Step 6 – Double-check details carefully

Check the first and last four characters of the address, transaction amount and network type. Bitcoin transfers cannot be cancelled once sent.

Step 7 – Confirm and send the transaction

Tap Send or Confirm. Your wallet will broadcast the transaction to the Bitcoin network. You’ll receive a TXID (Transaction ID) which can be used to track the transfer on a blockchain explorer.

What happens after you send it?

Most wallets show a pending status until your transaction is confirmed in a block by miners. This can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the fee you selected and network traffic.

Why Do I Need to Pay a Transaction Fee?

Bitcoin miners validate transactions and add them to the blockchain. Fees are an incentive for miners to include your transfer in the next block. Fees are based on transaction size in vBytes, not how much BTC you send.

Typical On-Chain Bitcoin Fees (2025):

Normal network conditions → $1 to $3 (£0.80–£2.50)
Busy periods or high volume → $5 to $20
Extreme congestion (bull runs, NFT/BRC-20 hype) → $30+

What affects the fee amount?

Number of inputs/outputs
Fee rate set in sats/vByte
Overall network congestion
Speed preference selected in wallet

Low fees = longer confirmation. High fees = faster inclusion in the next block.

Bitcoin vs Lightning Network Fees

Network	Average Fee	Speed	Best For
Bitcoin Mainnet	$1–$3 normal, $5+ busy	10–60 minutes	Larger, secure transfers
Lightning Network	Less than 1 cent	Instant	Small payments, micropayments

Lightning transactions are off-chain and extremely cheap, but both sender and receiver must use Lightning-enabled wallets. Not all exchanges support it.

Exchange Fees vs Wallet-to-Wallet Fees (Important Difference)

On an exchange like Coinbase or Binance, you often pay two types of fees:

Network fee → Paid to miners
Platform withdrawal fee → Charged by the exchange itself

Sending from a personal wallet (Ledger, Trust Wallet) only incurs the network fee, with no added platform costs.

Bitcoin Fee Comparison Table

Platform	Type	BTC Withdrawal Fee	Internal Transfer Fee	Notes
Binance	Exchange	0.0002 BTC	Free to other Binance users	Low cost, high reliability
Coinbase	Exchange	Variable network fee only	No internal wallet transfers	Fee depends on congestion
Kraken	Exchange	0.000015 BTC	Free internally	Lowest exchange withdrawal fee
eToro	Exchange	2% or $5 USD	No crypto internal transfers	Fees applied to crypto-to-wallet moves
Ledger	Hardware Wallet	$1–$3 network fee	N/A	You control the fee speed
Trust Wallet	Mobile Wallet	$1–$3 network fee	N/A	No extra charges, only miner fee
Wallet to Wallet	On-chain transfer	$1–$3	N/A	Fee varies with blockchain demand

Note: Bitcoin withdrawal fees vary by platform and network conditions. Exchange platforms like Binance and Kraken offer competitive fixed fees, while Coinbase passes through actual network costs. Hardware and mobile wallets give you direct control over transaction fees, allowing you to prioritize speed or cost. Internal transfers between users on the same platform are typically free, making them ideal for peer-to-peer transactions within an exchange ecosystem.

How Long Does a Bitcoin Transaction Take?

Most Bitcoin transfers confirm within 10 to 60 minutes. If you choose a lower fee or the network is congested, it may take several hours. Faster confirmations are achieved by selecting a higher network fee so miners prioritise your transaction.

Sending Bitcoin from Exchanges vs Wallets

Exchanges are easier for beginners but often charge withdrawal fees. Wallet apps provide full control and lower costs but require you to manage your keys and backups. Exchanges can freeze accounts; personal wallets cannot.

How to Check If Your Bitcoin Transfer Worked

After sending, copy your transaction ID (TXID) and paste it into a blockchain explorer like Blockchain.com or Mempool.space. If it shows “Confirmed”, it has been successfully included in the blockchain.

Why Is My Bitcoin Transaction Pending or Stuck?

If your fee was too low or the network is congested, your transaction may remain unconfirmed. Some wallets support Replace-by-Fee (RBF) to speed it up. If no confirmation after 72 hours, it may drop back to your wallet.

Final Thoughts

Sending Bitcoin is easy once you understand wallets, network fees and confirmation times. Double-check every address, choose a suitable fee and always back up your wallet. After that, transferring Bitcoin is fast, secure and borderless.

For more Crypto how to guides like this, see our existing pages like how to buy bitcoin or how to buy crypto or how to mine bitcoin.