How to Transfer ETH Using Node.js: A Complete Guide for Ethereum Development

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Transferring ETH programmatically using Node.js is a foundational skill for any developer entering the world of Ethereum and decentralized applications (dApps). This guide walks you through setting up both a test environment on Ropsten and a local development environment using Ganache, enabling you to execute real ETH transfers via code—safely and effectively.

Whether you're new to blockchain development or expanding your technical toolkit, this tutorial ensures you gain hands-on experience with core tools like Web3.js, Infura, HDWalletProvider, and mnemonic-based wallet generation.

Understanding Ethereum Development Environments

Before writing any code, it’s essential to understand the three primary types of Ethereum networks used during development:

👉 Get started with Ethereum development tools and explore secure wallet integrations.

The recommended workflow follows this progression:
Local Test Network → Testnet → Mainnet

However, for faster onboarding, we'll begin with the Ropsten testnet to quickly validate our setup before moving to a local environment. This approach mirrors real-world transactions while minimizing complexity upfront.

Core Keywords

This guide focuses on the following core keywords for SEO and relevance:

These terms reflect common search intents among developers seeking practical blockchain coding tutorials.

Step-by-Step: Sending ETH on the Ropsten Testnet

1. Generate a Test Wallet with a Mnemonic Phrase

To interact with Ethereum programmatically, you need a wallet. We’ll use a BIP39-compliant mnemonic phrase to generate one.

Visit a trusted mnemonic generator tool (ensure it's offline or open-source) to create a 12-word recovery phrase. Store this securely—never share it or commit it to version control.

From the generated wallet, note down the first address (Account[0]). You’ll use this to receive test ETH.

2. Request Test ETH from a Faucet

Since Ropsten is a public testnet, you can obtain free ETH for testing purposes.

Go to the Ropsten Ethereum Faucet and enter your Account[0] address. Within seconds, you should receive 1 test ETH.

This step validates that your wallet is functional and ready for interaction with the network.

3. Set Up an RPC Connection via Infura

Ethereum clients communicate using JSON-RPC. Since running a full node isn’t practical for most developers, we use Infura—a reliable API provider that exposes Ethereum endpoints.

Steps:

  1. Sign up at infura.io
  2. Create a new project
  3. Select Ropsten as your endpoint
  4. Copy the WebSocket URL: wss://ropsten.infura.io/v3/YOUR_PROJECT_ID

You’ll use this RPC URL in your Node.js application to connect to the Ropsten network.

4. Run the Transfer Code

Clone the demo repository to get started:

git clone https://github.com/netpi/ethereum-demo.git
cd ethereum-demo
npm install
Ensure you're using a compatible Node.js version (v8.17.0 or higher with support for Web3.js v1.x).

Next, configure ropsten.config.js with your credentials:

// ropsten.config.js
module.exports = {
  mnemonic: "your 12-word mnemonic here",
  rpcurl: "wss://ropsten.infura.io/v3/your-project-id"
}

Now, run the transfer script:

node transferEth.js

This script sends 0.01 ETH from Account[0] to Account[1] derived from the same mnemonic.

On success, the console will output transaction details including:

You can verify the transaction on Ropsten Etherscan by searching for the transaction hash.

👉 Learn how to securely manage private keys and mnemonic phrases in production apps.

Setting Up a Local Ethereum Environment with Ganache

Once you’ve validated your code on Ropsten, switch to a local test environment for faster iteration and debugging.

1. Install and Configure Ganache

Download Ganache from trufflesuite.com/ganache. Upon launching:

Ganache will launch a personal blockchain with 10 pre-funded accounts—all derived from your mnemonic.

The default RPC server runs at: http://127.0.0.1:7545

2. Update Configuration for Local Network

Create or modify local.config.js:

// local.config.js
module.exports = {
  mnemonic: "your 12-word mnemonic",
  rpcurl: "http://127.0.0.1:7545"
}

Then, update transferEth.js to load the local config:

// const config = require('./ropsten.config.js');
const config = require('./local.config.js'); // Use local network

Run the script again:

node transferEth.js

You’ll see similar output, now pointing to your local blockchain.

3. Verify Transaction in Ganache UI

Open Ganache and observe:

Check the Transactions tab for full details including gas used and block number.

This confirms your local environment is fully operational.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use this method to transfer real ETH on Mainnet?
A: Yes—but only after thorough testing. Replace the RPC URL with a Mainnet endpoint (e.g., Infura’s Mainnet URL) and ensure your wallet has sufficient real ETH for gas and transfers.

Q: Is it safe to use mnemonic phrases in code?
A: No. Never hardcode mnemonics in production applications. Use environment variables or secure secret managers instead.

Q: What is HDWalletProvider used for?
A: It allows Web3.js to sign transactions locally using a mnemonic phrase without exposing private keys to remote nodes.

Q: Why choose Ropsten over other testnets?
A: While Ropsten was widely used, newer developers are encouraged to use Goerli or Sepolia, as Ropsten has been deprecated post-Merge. However, learning on Ropsten remains valid for educational purposes.

Q: How does Web3.js interact with Ethereum?
A: Web3.js sends JSON-RPC calls over HTTP/WebSocket to an Ethereum node (like Infura or Ganache), enabling operations such as querying balances and sending transactions.

Q: Can I deploy smart contracts using this setup?
A: Absolutely. Once comfortable with ETH transfers, extend your scripts to compile and deploy Solidity contracts using the same provider pattern.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

You’ve now successfully executed ETH transfers using Node.js on both Ropsten testnet and a local Ganache chain. These environments form the backbone of dApp development, allowing you to test logic safely before going live.

Next, dive into:

With these foundations in place, you're well on your way to building full-stack decentralized applications.

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