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Mainnet
Mainnet is a blockchain's main public network, where transactions move coins with real value. It is the opposite of a testnet, which copies the network for testing with coins meant to be worthless.
What it means for you. Anything sent on mainnet costs real fees and cannot be undone, unlike practice transactions on a testnet. Layer 2 networks are separate chains too: tokens on a layer 2 are not on Ethereum mainnet until withdrawn, so check which network an exchange deposit address expects before sending.
Sources: ethereum.org: Networks, ethereum.org: Layer 2, EIP-155: Simple replay attack protection · checked 4 October 2026
Testnet
A testnet is a separate copy of a blockchain network used to try out software and smart contracts before they go live. Its coins are handed out free by websites called faucets and are meant to have no real value.
What it means for you. Testnet coins exist only on the testnet and cannot be spent on mainnet. They are meant to be free from faucets, so paying real money for them buys nothing on mainnet, and a wallet switched to a testnet shows balances that are not mainnet funds; check the network name.
Source: ethereum.org: Networks · checked 4 October 2026