BridgeRadarKnowledge base · 2 min read
Layer 2 withdrawal times explained
Moving funds from Ethereum to a layer 2 takes minutes, but the official way back can take up to a week. Here is why, how long each network takes, and when a fast bridge makes sense.
Deposits are fast, withdrawals are not
A layer 2 reads Ethereum all the time, so a deposit through the official bridge usually shows up within minutes.
The way back is different. Ethereum has to be convinced that your withdrawal really happened on the layer 2. How it gets convinced decides how long you wait.
Optimistic rollups: a challenge window of several days
Arbitrum, Optimism and Base are optimistic rollups. They post their results to Ethereum and assume they are correct unless someone proves otherwise during a challenge period.
On Arbitrum the official withdrawal takes about 6.4 days. On OP Mainnet (Optimism) the window is still about seven days. Base cut its window to 5 days with the Beryl upgrade on June 25, 2026, and to 1 day when a result is backed by both a TEE proof and a ZK proof. Base currently starts its proposals with a TEE proof only, so plan for 5 days unless the bridge shows otherwise.
After the wait you are not done. You must send a transaction on Ethereum to claim the funds, and on OP Mainnet and Base you also prove the withdrawal on Ethereum before the window starts. Each of these steps costs Ethereum gas.
Networks with ZK proofs: hours instead of days
Networks that use validity proofs, also called ZK proofs, prove each batch with math instead of waiting for challenges. The wait is set by how often a proof is posted to Ethereum.
Mantle switched to ZK validity proofs in September 2025. Its official bridge now lists withdrawals at up to 12 hours, followed by a claim on Ethereum.
Other ZK networks such as zkSync, Linea and Scroll also finish withdrawals in hours rather than a week. The exact time changes with each network’s settings, so check the bridge screen before you start.
How to skip the wait
Liquidity and intent based bridges such as Across, Relay or Orbiter pay you on Ethereum from their own funds within seconds or minutes, then wait out the official delay themselves.
You pay a fee for this service, and you trust the bridge’s contracts and providers. For small and medium amounts this is how most people withdraw.
Another option is a centralized exchange that supports deposits on the layer 2 and withdrawals on Ethereum. You trust the exchange while it holds your funds.
Before you withdraw
A few checks save time and money.
- Look at the estimated time on the bridge screen, not on old forum posts.
- Keep some ETH on Ethereum to pay for the claim transaction if you use the official bridge.
- Save the withdrawal transaction link. You will need it to come back and claim.
- For large amounts, compare the fast bridge fee with the gas cost of the official route.
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