What is a BEP-20 token?
Short answer: BEP-20 is the token standard on BNB Smart Chain. A BEP-20 token is a smart contract that follows the same interface as Ethereum's ERC-20, because BNB Chain is EVM-compatible. You get the familiar ERC-20 behaviour, MetaMask support, and PancakeSwap trading, but with much lower fees.
How a BEP-20 token works
BNB Smart Chain runs the same virtual machine as Ethereum, so a BEP-20 token is a smart contract that implements the same standard functions as an ERC-20 token. If you understand ERC-20, you already understand BEP-20.
That compatibility is the whole point: existing EVM wallets, tools, and contracts work on BNB Chain with little or no change, while transactions settle quickly and cheaply.
The core BEP-20 functions
totalSupply()reports how many tokens exist.balanceOf(address)returns the balance held by a wallet.transfer(to, amount)moves tokens between addresses.approve(spender, amount)authorises a contract to spend on your behalf.transferFrom(from, to, amount)is how DEXs like PancakeSwap move approved tokens.
BEP-20 vs ERC-20 vs SPL
- BEP-20 (BNB Chain): ERC-20 behaviour at a fraction of the gas cost, with deep PancakeSwap liquidity.
- ERC-20 (Ethereum): the most credible standard with the richest DeFi, but the highest fees. See what is an ERC-20 token.
- SPL (Solana): shares one Token Program, finalises in under a second, and is the cheapest to launch. See what is an SPL token.
For a fuller comparison of ecosystems, read Solana vs Ethereum tokens.
Ownership and trust
Like ERC-20, a BEP-20 contract usually has an owner that can mint more tokens or change settings. Public projects often renounce ownership after launch to prove the supply is fixed and the rules are locked, which is the EVM equivalent of revoking mint authority on Solana.
How to create a BEP-20 token
The no-code path is the BEP-20 creator: set the name, symbol, supply, and decimals, connect MetaMask on BNB Smart Chain, and deploy a real BEP-20 contract without writing Solidity. See the step-by-step guide for the full walkthrough.
Create your BEP-20 token
Open the BNB creator and deploy a real BEP-20 contract from MetaMask in a couple of minutes, no code required.
Create BEP-20 tokenFrequently asked questions
What does BEP-20 stand for?
BEP-20 means BNB Evolution Proposal number 20. It defines the standard interface for fungible tokens on BNB Smart Chain, modelled directly on Ethereum's ERC-20.
Is BEP-20 the same as ERC-20?
They are nearly identical. BNB Smart Chain is EVM-compatible, so BEP-20 uses the same core functions as ERC-20. The differences are the network, the BNB gas token, and typically much lower fees.
Can I use MetaMask with BEP-20 tokens?
Yes. MetaMask works with BNB Smart Chain once you add the BNB network. The same EVM wallets that hold ERC-20 tokens can hold BEP-20 tokens.
How is BEP-20 different from an SPL token?
BEP-20 tokens are smart contracts on an EVM chain. SPL tokens on Solana share one on-chain Token Program. SPL launches are faster and cheaper, while BEP-20 plugs into PancakeSwap and the wider BNB ecosystem.
Do I need BNB to create a BEP-20 token?
Yes. You pay the platform fee plus BNB network gas from your connected wallet. Keep enough BNB for both before deploying.
How much does it cost to create a BEP-20 token?
On TheTokenLauncher, from 0.010 BNB as a platform fee plus BNB network gas, which is usually very low.