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.
See also: The Primary Name for an overview of how reverse resolution works.
Understanding Primary Names
Your Primary Name tells apps which ENS name to display when they look up your wallet address. It helps dApps and other services display your ENS name based on your wallet address. Name resolution works in two directions:
Forward Resolution
Forward resolution connects your ENS name to your wallet address. When someone sends crypto to yourname.eth, this tells them where to send it.
Reverse Resolution
Reverse resolution connects your wallet address to your ENS name. This makes apps display yourname.eth instead of 0x1234...
For the Primary Name to work:
Both records must be set: your name pointing to your address, and your address pointing to your name.
Default vs Network (L2) Primary Names
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 each:
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.
For smart contracts: Use specific Network Primary Names, not the Default Primary Name. Contracts are usually deployed to one network, or they may have different addresses across networks.
For EOAs (regular wallets): 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 a Default Primary Name, then assign L2 Primary Names for networks that differ.
How to Set the Default Primary Name
Go to primary.ens.domains.
Connect your wallet.
Search for your ENS name.
Requires ETH on Ethereum to set the Default Primary Name and update address records.
Step 1: Click Set or Update
In the "Default" section, click Set (or Update if one is already set).
Step 2: Choose Address and Chains
Choose the address you want as your Default Primary Name.
Select which chains should have matching address records.
Click Next to proceed.
Greyed-out chains already point to this address. Selected chains will be updated to point here.
Step 3: Confirm Transaction for Reverse Resolution
Click Open Wallet and confirm the first transaction to set reverse resolution.
Step 4: Confirm Transaction for Forward Resolution
Click Open Wallet and confirm the second transaction to set any missing address records (forward resolution).
Once both transactions are confirmed, your Default Primary Name is active.
Only the Manager can update address records. You'll be prompted to switch wallets if needed.
How to Set a Network/L2 Primary Name
Go to primary.ens.domains.
Connect your wallet.
Search for your ENS name.
You need ETH on Ethereum to update address records.
You need ETH on the same network where you want to set an L2/Network Primary Name.
You'll need ETH on Ethereum to set the Default Primary Name and update address records.
Step 1: Click Set or Update on the Network
In the network list, click Set (if none is active) or Update (to change).
Step 2: Choose Chain Address
Select the address you want for that chain.
Step 3: Switch Network and Confirm Transaction for Reverse Resolution
Click Switch connection to connect to the correct network.
Connect the wallet you want to use.
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction to set reverse resolution for the chain.
You'll be prompted to switch wallets if your L2 Primary Name uses a different address than you're currently connected with.
Your Primary Name won't display until syncing completes (see sync times below) and you complete Step 4 to add the address record.
Step 4: Switch Back to Ethereum and Confirm Transaction for Forward Resolution
Click Switch connection to return to Ethereum.
Connect the wallet which manages the ENS name.
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction to set any missing address records.
Important: Only the Manager of an ENS name can update address records. If the Manager is a different address, you'll be prompted to switch wallets.
Step 5: Wait for Syncing to Complete
Once both transactions are confirmed and L2 Primary Name syncing has completed, your Network Primary Name will be active on that chain.
How to Clear a L2 Primary Name
Go to primary.ens.domains.
Connect your wallet.
Search for your ENS name.
Find the network and click the trash/bin icon.
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction.
Once complete, this network will display your Default Primary Name instead (if you have one set).
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 the ENS App (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
My Primary Name is not showing.
Use the ENS App to check Primary Names: search an ENS name, open the More tab, and view the Primary Name section. If you recently set Network addresses, check the status on primary.ens.domains–you may need to wait for L2 syncing to complete. If you haven't set both forward (address record) and reverse (Primary Name) resolution, the Primary Name will not be active. Your Primary Name only displays in apps that support this feature.
My Default is set but not showing on all chains.
Either you didn't approve the address record transaction, or the records were removed. Add any missing records.
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.
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.
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.
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.