You send bitcoin by entering the recipient's Bitcoin address in your wallet, choosing an amount, setting a network fee, and confirming, whether you're transferring bitcoin to another wallet you own or paying someone else. The transaction broadcasts to the network within seconds and usually confirms within an hour, depending on the fee you pay. This guide, part of our Bitcoin learning hub, covers the steps, the fees, and how to send safely.
Send in the Bitcoin.com Wallet app:
- Open the Bitcoin.com Wallet app and tap Send
- Paste or scan the recipient's Bitcoin address
- Enter the amount and choose a fee speed
- Review the details and confirm
How long does it take, and how much does it cost?
Broadcasting a transaction is near-instant, but it isn't final until the network confirms it, which usually takes anywhere from about ten minutes to an hour depending on the fee you attach. Each new block built on top of your transaction counts as a "confirmation," and many services treat a payment as fully settled after about six of them. As of 2026, a typical transaction fee is often just a dollar or two in normal conditions, though it can rise sharply when the network is busy. There's no meaningful minimum to send beyond a tiny "dust" threshold, so you can send small amounts freely.
What is a Bitcoin address?
A Bitcoin address is a string of letters and numbers that tells the network where your bitcoin should go. It works a bit like a bank account number, and it's created by your wallet software. A typical address looks like this:
3J98t1WpEZ73CNmQviecrnyiWrnqRhWNLy
Addresses can also be shown as a QR code, which is the easier way to send in person.
How to send Bitcoin, step by step
- Get the recipient's address, either by copying it or by scanning their QR code with your phone's camera
- Paste or scan it into the send field of your wallet
- Enter the amount, toggling between BTC and your local currency if your wallet allows it
- Choose how fast you want the transaction confirmed (this sets the fee)
- Review everything and confirm
If your bitcoin is held on an exchange rather than your own wallet, the process is the same but the button is often labelled Withdraw. You paste the destination address, choose the amount, and confirm, and the exchange sends it on-chain.
Choosing your network fee
When you send bitcoin, you pay a small fee to the network, not to Bitcoin.com. Better wallets let you choose the fee based on how quickly you want confirmation. Some custodial services fix the fee at a higher rate and keep the difference, so a self-custody wallet that lets you set your own fee usually costs less.
The Bitcoin.com Wallet offers three presets plus a custom option:
What happens if I set the fee too low?
If you're not in a hurry, a lower fee saves money. Set it too low, though, and your transaction can sit unconfirmed for hours or days. You're never at risk of losing the bitcoin: in the worst case it stays in limbo until the transaction is dropped, and then the funds are available again. You can check a transaction's status by entering its ID into a block explorer like explorer.bitcoin.com.
Why fees vary
Bitcoin fees are based on how much data a transaction takes up, measured in satoshis per byte, not on its dollar value. A payment assembled from many small amounts you received over time takes more data than one made from a single larger amount, so it costs more to send. When lots of people transact at once, everyone competes for limited block space and fees climb. Our guide to Bitcoin network fees explains the mechanics in full.
Sending safely: mistakes to avoid
Bitcoin transactions cannot be reversed, so a few checks matter more here than almost anywhere else:
- Verify the address before you send. Confirm the first and last few characters, and prefer scanning a QR code to typing.
- Send to the right network and asset. A Bitcoin (BTC) address only accepts BTC. Sending to an address for a different coin or network can lose the funds.
- Watch your clipboard. Some malware silently swaps a copied address for an attacker's. Always check the pasted address matches.
- Do a test transaction for large amounts. Send a small amount first, confirm it arrives, then send the rest.
- Never share your recovery phrase. No one needs it to receive a payment from you. Keeping a proper wallet backup is what protects your funds, and no legitimate service will ever ask for the phrase, as Bitcoin.org's security guidance also stresses.
Sending Bitcoin with confidence
Sending bitcoin comes down to the recipient's address, the amount, and a fee that matches how quickly you need it to arrive. Check the address carefully, start with a small test for anything large, and you'll rarely go wrong. If you're setting up the other side of a transaction, see how to receive bitcoin, and if you're still getting started, our guides on buying, selling, and using Bitcoin cover the rest.
