Good to Know
Setting and updating a Primary Name requires gas only transactions.
You need ETH on Ethereum to set the Default Primary Name and to update address records.
You need ETH on the same network where you want to set a L2 / Network Primary Name.
Your Primary Name only works when both forward resolution (address record) and reverse resolution (Primary Name) are set.
Sync times vary across L2s.
What the Primary Name does
The Primary name is your reverse record responsible for resolving your wallet address to your ENS name, effectively helping DApps and other services display your ENS name based on your wallet address.
The easiest way to understand it is to consider that name resolution works in two directions:
Forward resolution
Forward resolution is where your name points to, and is determined by the Address records on your ENS name. It's where your name resolves when others try to send something to your name.
Reverse resolution
Reverse resolution is where your wallet points to, and is determined by the Primary name record set by your wallet. It's how your name is displayed in apps instead of an hexadecimal address.
For the Primary name to work:
Your Primary Name is active when BOTH the chain address record (for forward resolution), and the primary name is set (for reverse resolution) are set.
Default vs Network (L2) Primary Names
Default Primary Name – Set on Ethereum. Applies one Primary Name across all networks that share the same address.
Network Primary Names – Set individually per network (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Linea, OP Mainnet, Scroll). Use when you want a different Primary Name on specific networks, or when contracts have different addresses.
In practice:
Use a Default Primary Name if your ENS name is the same across all or most networks.
Use Network Primary Names if you want certain networks to show a different name, or if you want selective control.
Contracts
Smart contracts are usually deployed to one network, or they may have different addresses across networks. For this reason, it’s best to use specific Network Primary Names, not the Default Primary Name.
EOAs
If you use the same ENS name across all networks, simply set a Default Primary Name.
If you want different primary names for some networks, set each L2 Primary Name individually.
Or Set the Default Primary Name, and then assign L2 Primary Names for each supported network that differs.
Guides
How to Set the Default Primary Name
Go to primary.ens.domains, connect your wallet, and search your ENS name.
You’ll need ETH on Ethereum to set the Default Primary Name and update address records on a name.
1. Click Set / Update
In the "Default" section, click Set (or Update).
2. Choose address and chains
Choose the address you want as your Default Primary Name and select which chains should have matching address records. Click Next to proceed through.
Greyed out chain – This means the address record for that chain has already been added to your name.
Selectable chains – When you choose other chains, you’re preparing to add or update the address record for each of them.
3. Confirm Transaction for reverse resolution
Click Open Wallet and Confirm the first transaction to set reverse resolution.
4. Confirm Transaction for forward resolution
Click Open Wallet and Confirm the second transaction to set missing address records (forward resolution).
Important: Only the Manager of an ENS name can update address records. If the Manager is a different address than the one you are connected with, you’ll be prompted to switch wallets to the Manager before proceeding.
Once both are confirmed, your Default Primary Name is active.
How to Set a Network/L2 Primary Name
Go to primary.ens.domains, connect your wallet, and search your ENS name.
1. Click Set / Update on the network
In the network list, click Set (if none is active) or Update (to change).
2. Choose chain address
Select the address you want for that chain.
3. Switch network & Confirm transaction for reverse resolution
Click Switch connection to connect to the correct network and connect the wallet you want to use.
Make sure you connect with the correct wallet address. You may be prompted to switch wallets if the Primary Name is managed by a different address.
Click Open Wallet and confirm the first transaction to set reverse resolution for the chain.
Your reverse resolution will not take effect until the network has completed its next sync, which varies by chain. You may also need to add the address record to your ENS name before the Primary Name becomes active.
4. Switch back to Ethereum & Confirm transaction for forward resolution.
Click Switch connection to return to Ethereum and connect the wallet which manages the ENS name.
Important: Only the Manager of an ENS name can update address records. If the Manager is a different address than the one you are connected with, you’ll be prompted to switch wallets to the Manager before proceeding.
Click Open Wallet and confirm the second transaction to set any missing address record (for forward resolution).
5. Wait for Syncing to complete
Once both transactions are confirmed and syncing has completed, your Network Primary Name will be active on that chain.
How to Clear a Primary Name
Go to primary.ens.domains, connect your wallet, and search your ENS name.
1. Click the trash icon
Find the network and click the trash/bin icon.
2. Confirm transaction
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction. Once complete, you’ll see an update on your ENS name.
If you still have a Default Primary Name set, that will automatically become the fallback.
Note: Clearing a Primary Name does not remove the address record itself. To remove or edit the address record, use app.ens.domains. See How to Edit Profile.
FAQ
How do i view the Primary Name of an address or ENS name?
How do i view the Primary Name of an address or ENS name?
Go to primary.ens.domains, and search an ENS name or wallet address.
What do "incomplete", "resolved from default", "syncing" and "active" mean?
What do "incomplete", "resolved from default", "syncing" and "active" mean?
Incomplete – The default primary name is set, and the matching address record has not been added on the name.
Resolved from Default – No network-specific Primary Name is set; the name shown is coming from your Default Primary Name on Ethereum.
Syncing – A Primary Name has been set or updated, and the change is propagating.
Active – A primary name is valid on that network.
How long does syncing take?
How long does syncing take?
Once your transaction to set the reverse record is confirmed, syncing will begin automatically.
Network | Sync Time |
Ethereum | ~1 block |
Base | ~6 hours |
Arbitrum | ~6 hours |
OP Mainnet | ~6 hours |
Linea | 8–24 hours |
Scroll | ~1 hour |
Why does my name not show on Etherscan (or elsewhere)?
Why does my name not show on Etherscan (or elsewhere)?
Open the Primary Names app and check the status. Wait for syncing to complete, and confirm that both forward (address record) and reverse (Primary Name) resolution are set correctly.
Note: For a Primary Name to display, it must be supported by the dApp, wallet, or site you are using. If it isn’t showing, you can reach out to the developers of that service and request they add support. Developers can find integration guidance here: https://docs.ens.domains/web/reverse
Does setting Primary Names cost anything?
Does setting Primary Names cost anything?
Setting either a Default or Network Primary Name requires a gas-only transaction. For a Default Primary Name, you’ll need ETH on Ethereum. For Network Primary Names, you’ll need ETH on the specific L2 network. Adding or updating address records on your ENS name is also a gas-only transaction, which requires ETH on Ethereum.
How many transactions to set Primary Name?
How many transactions to set Primary Name?
For a Default Primary Name, you’ll usually need to approve two transactions (both require ETH on Ethereum):
One to set the Default Primary Name.
A second (if applicable) to add or update missing address records.
For a Network Primary Name, you’ll also need to approve two transactions:
One to set the Primary Name on that specific L2 (requires ETH on that network).
A second (if applicable) to add the address record to your ENS name (requires ETH on Ethereum).
Can i test this on Sepolia?
Can i test this on Sepolia?
Yes, Here are the Testnet Apps sepolia.app.ens.domains & sepolia.primary.ens.domains.
Troubleshooting
My Primary Name is not showing
My Primary Name is not showing
Open the Primary Names app and check the status. Wait for syncing to complete, and confirm that both forward (address record) and reverse (Primary Name) resolution are set correctly.
For a Primary Name to display, it must be supported by the dApp, wallet, or site you are using. If it isn’t showing, you can reach out to the developers of that service and request they add support. Developers can find integration guidance here: https://docs.ens.domains/web/reverse
My default is set but not showing on all chains
My default is set but not showing on all chains
Wait for syncing to complete. You may also have not approved the transaction to update the address records on your ENS name, or the address records may have been removed. Re-add any missing records.
I can’t proceed with setting a Network Primary Name
I can’t proceed with setting a Network Primary Name
You may have insufficient balance on either Ethereum (for the address record) or on the L2 network (for the Primary Name transaction). Ensure you have ETH on both.
I am getting an error
I am getting an error
This usually indicates insufficient balance on Ethereum or the L2 network you’re trying to use. Check both and try again.
I can’t update my address records
I can’t update my address records
You may have insufficient balance on Ethereum. You may also need to update your ENS name to use the latest public resolver. See How to Update the Resolver Re