Polygon is one of the main Ethereum scaling solutions aimed at addressing the current throughput limitations of the Ethereum blockchain. Specifically, it solves the problem of high gas fees, slow transaction confirmation times, and limited TPS. 

Recently we’ve seen a new wave of developers begin to use new tools for web3. One of the most highly demanded and used tools were faucets for testnets. More than thousands of developers are using these faucets hoping one would work for a testnet like Mumbai.

Alchemy aims to create the most used and agile tools for chains like Polygon. Developing on Polygon with Alchemy is now easier than ever with the use of Mumbai. You can now receive testnet MATIC with only a couple of steps. 

In this guide, we’ll go over the Mumbai testnet and faucet, provide an overview of testnet MATIC, and show how to receive more testnet MATIC with Alchemy.

Let's go!

What is the Mumbai testnet?

The Mumbai testnet is a collection of Polygon nodes (i.e. a test blockchain) that allows developers to test their smart contracts using fake MATIC tokens before launching their decentralized application to Polygon’s Mainnet. 

Polygon developers build on the Mumbai testnet to test and refine their smart contracts without  having to spend real funds like they would if they were testing their smart contracts on the Polygon Mainnet. 

Testnets are critical blockchain developer tools that empower developers to test new features, test their smart contract’s security, and ultimately bring better value and functionality to the Polygon ecosystem. 

What is test MATIC?

Like Polygon’s native token, MATIC, on the Mumbai testnet, developers use test MATIC to deploy smart contracts and pay transaction costs.

MATIC is considered the native cryptocurrency token that is essentially used to stake and pay transaction fees on the Polygon blockchain, and test matic does the same thing but is used for testing purposes. 

How do developers use testnet MATIC?

The primary use case for test MATIC is for developers to test their applications in a controlled testing environment that functions like Polygon’s mainnet without spending real money to execute smart contracts and iterate on their applications features and functionality.

Using test MATIC is also a great way for developers to experience its uses as an educational tool. Often, developers make several mistakes along their journey. Using test MATIC helps them enhance their understanding of how to better use the main Polygon network in the future. 

Finally, test MATIC is often used by blockchain developers to test upgrades to the underlying platforms as well. This is essential in creating better developer tools for the Web3 ecosystem. This is key to creating more libraries, better documentation, and essential feedback overall. 

All these use cases relate to creating a safe space for developers to thrive. Without test MATIC, developers would bear the consequences of potentially losing real-world assets, and they would have to be more careful interacting with their smart contracts. 

Where can developers get fake MATIC?

Developers can get fake MATIC through a Mumbai faucet. A Polygon faucet enables developers to receive free Mumbai MATIC tokens on the testnet so they can start testing their applications on the Mumbai testnet without spending real MATIC tokens when testing in production. 

What is a Mumbai faucet?

The Mumbai faucet is a Polygon testnet faucet that gives out fake MATIC tokens for web3 developers to use to test their Polygon dapps on the Mumbai testnet. This testnet faucet will only give MATIC tokens that can be used on the Mumbai network.

What is the best Mumbai faucet?

One of the best options to get fake MATIC is Alchemy's Mumbai faucet because it gives users 5 testnet MATIC every 24 hours when they create an Alchemy account compared to users without an account which only receive 1 Mumbai MATIC token every 24 hours!

Alchemy combines the most powerful developer tools in blockchain with helpful resources, talented community, and legendary support.

How to Get Testnet MATIC from a Mumbai Faucet

Step 1: Sign up with Alchemy to get 5X MATIC

This is very important. Sign up for a free Alchemy account to get five times as many testnet MATIC tokens as you would without an Alchemy account.

Step 2: Connect Metamask to the Mumbai Test Network

Open Metamask and click the network name located at the top right of the window.

Step 3: Click Add Network

Click the "Add Network" button at the bottom of the pop-up window to add the Mumbai test network to your Metamask wallet.

Step 4: Enter Details for the Polygon Mainnet and Mumbai Testnet

Enter the following network details and click “save.”

• Network Name: Polygon Mainnet
• New RPC URL: https://polygon-rpc.com/
• Chain ID: 137
• Currency Symbol: MATIC
• Block Explorer URL: https://polygonscan.com/

If you signed up for a free Alchemy account, you will be able to get your new RPC URL from the dashboard after creating a new app with the Mumbai Testnet. This will give you more features and abilities provided by Alchemy as your new RPC URL node provider.

• Network Name: Mumbai Testnet
• New RPC URL: https://polygon-mumbai.g.alchemy.com/v2/your-api-key
• Chain ID: 80001
• Currency Symbol: MATIC
• Block Explorer URL: https://mumbai.polygonscan.com/

Step 5: Get your Testnet MATIC

To request funds, enter your wallet address and hit “Send Me MATIC”. 

Remember, if you log in with Alchemy, you’ll receive 5x the amount of MATIC for free. We support wallets as received addresses but not smart contracts.

P.S. Whatever you do on the site, don't click up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a 😉

Conclusion

There you have it, you now instantly have testnet MATIC in your Metamask wallet. 

As always, please try it out and share this with Polygon developers building on the Mumbai testnet that need fake MATIC tokens. If you have any feedback, feel free to let us know in discord!

Happy testing!