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 an L2/Network Primary Name.
Your Primary Name only works when both forward resolution (address record) and reverse resolution (Primary Name) are set.
Sync times for reverse resolution vary across L2s.
Note: The Primary Names app currently supports .eth names and their onchain (Ethereum) subnames only. Offchain subnames and subnames from specific projects on L2s (for example, base.eth subnames such as <sub>.base.eth) cannot be set using primary.ens.domains, and any attempted actions will fail.
What is a Primary Name?
A Primary Name links your wallet to your ENS name, so apps display yourname.eth instead of 0x123...abcd.
Without it:
0x123...abcdWith it:
yourname.eth.
Default vs Network (L2) Primary Names
There are two types of Primary Names, which allow for a single name to be used for the same, or different addresses, across Networks.
Type | Description |
Default Primary Name | Set once on Ethereum. Works on all networks where you use the same wallet address. |
Network Primary Names | Set separately for each network where you want a different name to display, or where your contract has a different address. |
When to Use L2 Primary Names
You want different names on different networks
Your contract has different addresses per network
Recommendation for EOAs
Use the Default Primary name, and add any L2 Primary Names where applicable.
Recommended for smart contracts:
Use only L2 Primary Names, not the Default Primary Name. Contracts are usually deployed to one network, or they may have different addresses across networks.
How to Set the Default Primary Name
In order to set the Default Primary Name and update address records on a name you need ETH on Ethereum for gas-only transactions.
Go to primary.ens.domains
Connect your wallet and search your ENS name.
In the "Default" section, click Set (or Update if one is already set).
Choose Address you want as your Default Primary Name
Then choose the chains you want to use the Default Primary Name
Greyed-out chains already have an address record matching this address. Selected chains will be updated with this new address record.
Confirm the transaction to set Reverse Resolution
Confirm the Transaction for Forward Resolution
This sets any missing address records on your name.
If applicable, you'll be prompted to switch walletsto the manager of the name to update records.
Once both transactions are confirmed, your Default Primary Name is active.
How to Set a L2/Network Primary Name
You will need ETH on different chains:
In order to set the primary name on L2 Networks, you need ETH on that same L2 Network for the gas-only transaction.
In order to update address records on a name you need ETH on Ethereum for gas-only transactions
Go to primary.ens.domains
Connect your wallet and search your .eth name.
Find the network (Base, Arbitrum, etc.)
Click Set (if none is active) or Update (if one is already set)
Select the address you want for that chain.
Switch to that network when prompted
You'll be prompted to switch wallets if your L2 Primary Name uses a different address than you're currently connected with.
Important:
1) Click Switch connection to connect to the correct network.2) Connect the correct wallet you want using that Primary Name.
Confirm the transaction to set reverse resolution for the chain.
Important:
You need ETH on the same network where you want to set an L2/Network Primary Name.
Switch back to Ethereum to set the address record for Forward Resolution (if applicable)
Click Switch connection to return to Ethereum.
Connect the wallet which manages the ENS name (as only they can update records on a name)
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction to set any missing address records.
Important
1) You need ETH on Ethereum to update address records.
2) If applicable, you'll be prompted to switch walletsto the manager of the name to update records.
Wait for Syncing to Complete
Your Primary Name won't display until syncing completes (see sync times below) and you have the corresponding address record set on your ENS name.
How to Clear a L2 Primary Name
Go to primary.ens.domains
Connect your wallet and search your .eth name.
Find the network (Base, Arbitrum, etc.)
Click the trash/bin icon.
Confirm the transaction
If you have a Default Primary name set up, this will be the fallback and used instead.
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.
Viewing Primary Names in the ENS App
Go to app.ens.domains.
Search for an ENS name.
Open the More tab.
View the Primary Name section, which shows any active Default or Network Primary Names using that name, along with the associated network addresses.
You can also search an Ethereum address to see if a Primary Name is set.
L2 Sync Times
Once your transaction to set the reverse record is confirmed, syncing begins automatically. These sync times apply to L2 Primary Names only:
Network | Sync Time |
Ethereum | ~1 block |
Base | ~6 hours |
Arbitrum | ~6 hours |
OP Mainnet | ~6 hours |
Linea | 8–24 hours |
Scroll | ~1 hour |
Status Indicators
Status | Meaning |
Incomplete | The Default Primary Name is set, but the matching address record has not been added to the name. |
Resolved from Default | No network-specific Primary Name is set; the name shown comes from your Default Primary Name on Ethereum. |
Syncing | An L2 Primary Name has been set or updated, and the change is propagating. |
Active | The Primary Name is valid on that network. |
Troubleshooting
Related Articles
Common Questions
How can I check the Primary Name of an address or ENS name?
Use the ENS App to check Primary Names. Search an ENS name, open the More tab, and view the Primary Name section. This shows any active Default or Network Primary Names using that name, along with the associated network addresses. You can also search an Ethereum address to see if a Primary Name is set. For advanced checks, visit primary.ens.domains to view Default and L2/Network Primary Name status.
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 need ETH on Ethereum. For Network Primary Names, you need ETH on the specific L2 network. Adding or updating address records also requires ETH on Ethereum.
How many transactions are needed to set a Primary Name?
Default Primary Name requires two transactions on Ethereum: set the Primary Name, then add the address records. Network Primary Name requires two transactions: set the Primary Name on the L2 (needs L2 ETH), then add the address record on Ethereum (needs Ethereum ETH).
Why does my name not show on Etherscan (or elsewhere)?
Check the status on the Primary Names app and wait for syncing to complete. Confirm that both forward (address record) and reverse (Primary Name) resolution are set correctly. Etherscan doesn't support L2 Primary Names yet. For a Primary Name to display, it must be supported by the dApp, wallet, or site you're using. Developers can find integration guidance at docs.ens.domains/web/reverse
Can I test this on Sepolia?
Yes. Use the testnet apps: sepolia.app.ens.domains and sepolia.primary.ens.domains.