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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To send bitcoin over Lightning, use a wallet with Lightning support, obtain the recipient’s Lightning invoice, scan or paste it into the wallet’s Lightning send screen, check the amount, expiry and quoted fee, then authorize the payment. Your wallet’s success or failure message is the payment result. The exact setup differs between custodial and self-custodial wallets.
What you need before sending
A Lightning payment is made through a wallet that can send and receive Lightning transactions. An ordinary Bitcoin on-chain address is not a Lightning invoice, and an on-chain-only wallet cannot create a Lightning payment by itself. Bitcoin.org’s wallet documentation treats Lightning capability as a specific wallet feature, so check the wallet’s current send and withdrawal options before moving money.
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- A Lightning-capable wallet: Confirm that the app supports sending Lightning payments, not only on-chain Bitcoin.
- Spendable balance: Funds must be available on the Lightning side of the wallet. An exchange or on-chain wallet may require a supported Lightning withdrawal or a transfer into a Lightning-capable wallet first.
- The recipient’s invoice: Ask the recipient to create a payment request for the amount you intend to pay.
- A way to review the payment: You should be able to see the amount, any memo, invoice validity or expiry, and the fee before approving.
- Secure recovery information: If the wallet is self-custodial, follow that wallet’s recovery instructions and keep the recovery phrase offline before funding it.
Support varies by wallet, exchange, country and account type. Do not assume that two services using the word “Bitcoin” support the same network, invoice format or withdrawal route. Check whether the provider supports Lightning deposits, withdrawals, or only on-chain transfers. Also check minimums, limits and any account verification requirements shown by that provider before you move funds.
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How a Lightning payment request works
The recipient normally creates an invoice and shares it as a QR code or a text string. Bitcoin Design also describes NFC and payment links as possible ways to deliver the payment information. The invoice contains payment instructions that let the sender’s wallet find a route to the recipient.
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Many wallets use the BOLT 11 invoice format. A 2026 beginner guide describes 3,600 seconds as a common BOLT 11 expiry default, but the actual expiry is set by the invoice and wallet. Treat the expiry shown by your app as authoritative. If it has passed, ask the recipient for a newly generated invoice rather than trying to force the old one.
An invoice may include an amount and a memo. If the amount is omitted, the wallet may let you enter one; do not guess when the recipient has specified a different amount. A QR code is simply a convenient encoding of the invoice text. It does not make an on-chain address into a Lightning payment request.
Invoices are normally intended for one payment. Ask the recipient to generate a fresh request for a second attempt, a changed amount or a later payment. Do not edit the encoded text to change the amount or destination. If the recipient sends several invoices, use the one that matches the agreed amount and has the latest validity shown by your wallet.
Step-by-step: send bitcoin over Lightning
- Confirm the payment rail. Open your wallet and choose its Lightning send or pay function. If the recipient gave you a Lightning invoice, do not use a generic on-chain “send Bitcoin” form unless the wallet explicitly identifies it as a Lightning payment flow.
- Check that your balance is spendable over Lightning. Some wallets show on-chain and Lightning balances separately. If the Lightning balance is too low, use a supported deposit, transfer or withdrawal route. Verify the network before moving funds.
- Request the invoice. Ask the recipient to create an invoice for the exact amount. Have them resend it if it is expired, incomplete or difficult to scan.
- Scan or paste the invoice. Use the wallet’s QR scanner or paste the full invoice string into the Lightning payment field. Avoid manually editing the string; a single changed character can invalidate it or direct the payment somewhere unexpected.
- Read the payment details. Check the displayed amount, currency denomination, recipient or memo if provided, invoice expiry and quoted Lightning fee. Wallet screens differ, and there is no universal fee amount or universal layout.
- Check for a network or context warning. Make sure the screen says Lightning and not on-chain Bitcoin. If the wallet reports that the invoice is unsupported, do not substitute an on-chain address unless the recipient confirms that they can receive on-chain funds.
- Authorize once. Approve the payment only after the details match your agreement with the recipient. Depending on the wallet, authorization may use a passcode, biometric check or another confirmation step.
- Wait for the result. Keep the wallet open long enough to display a completed, failed or pending status. Save the payment reference or receipt if the wallet provides one.
- Confirm with the recipient when necessary. For an in-person purchase or an important transfer, ask the recipient to verify receipt in their wallet. Do not send a second payment merely because a screen is slow; first determine whether the original is completed, pending or failed.
For a first payment, read each screen rather than relying on the location of a familiar button. Wallet updates can move the Lightning and on-chain options, and an exchange withdrawal screen may use different labels from a dedicated wallet. If you are paying a business, compare the merchant name or memo shown by the wallet with the point-of-sale display before confirming.
Custodial and self-custodial wallets
The send button can look similar in both models, but responsibility for funds and setup is different. A custodial provider controls the wallet infrastructure and may manage channels for you. In a self-custodial wallet, you control the keys and are responsible for recovery, backups and operation.
| Consideration | Custodial or provider-managed wallet | Self-custodial wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Who controls keys | The provider controls the operational keys; access depends on the provider and your account. | You control the keys and must protect the recovery information. |
| Initial setup | The provider may handle channel and liquidity work behind the scenes. | Setup can include wallet installation, offline recovery backup, an on-chain deposit and channel preparation. |
| Funding wait | Timing depends on the provider’s deposit and internal processes. | An on-chain deposit or channel opening can require an on-chain fee and confirmation before Lightning spending is available. |
| Fee visibility | Look for the route fee and any provider deposit, withdrawal or conversion charge before confirming. | The wallet should show the Lightning route fee; separate on-chain fees can apply when funding or managing channels. |
| Failure handling | The provider’s support and infrastructure determine how clearly expiry, balance and route errors are explained. | You may need to manage liquidity, channels and recovery yourself, depending on the wallet. |
| Payment compatibility | Check supported Lightning invoice formats, limits and regional restrictions. | Check the wallet’s supported invoice formats, channels, limits and synchronization requirements. |
Neither model guarantees that every invoice will succeed. Choose based on how much control and operational responsibility you want, not merely on the presence of a Lightning logo.
A custodial wallet can be simpler for an occasional payment because the provider may maintain channels and display an immediately usable Lightning balance. The tradeoff is dependence on account access, provider policies and its support process. A self-custodial wallet can give you direct control, but losing the recovery information or misunderstanding its channel and liquidity requirements can make funds difficult to access. Read the wallet’s recovery documentation before depositing, not after a problem occurs.
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Funding a self-custodial wallet
A self-custodial first payment can involve more steps than the payment itself. A typical wallet-specific flow is:
- Install the wallet from its official distribution channel and create a new wallet.
- Write down the recovery phrase exactly as the wallet instructs. Keep it offline and do not send it to anyone or store it in a chat, email or screenshot service.
- Complete any backup verification the wallet requires before depositing funds.
- Send bitcoin to the wallet’s on-chain deposit address using the network and amount shown by the wallet.
- Wait for the wallet’s required confirmation and, if applicable, channel setup before attempting a Lightning payment.
- Check that the resulting balance is marked as available for Lightning spending.
This is an example of a self-custodial flow, not a universal prerequisite. Provider-managed wallets can perform some channel work automatically, while other wallets have different funding and confirmation rules. Follow the chosen wallet’s current recovery and setup documentation.
Do not confuse an on-chain deposit address with a Lightning invoice during this process. The deposit address is used to move bitcoin onto the chain; the invoice is used for a Lightning payment. If the wallet shows separate balances, wait until the wallet identifies the funds as available for Lightning rather than assuming that an incoming on-chain transaction can be spent immediately through a channel.
Lightning fees versus on-chain fees
A Lightning payment normally uses a routing fee quoted by the wallet. That fee compensates the infrastructure that forwards the payment and is distinct from the Bitcoin miner fee for an on-chain transaction. Bitcoin.org describes Lightning as an off-chain layer intended for fast, small payments with minimal fees, but neither “minimal” nor “fast” means free or guaranteed in every wallet.
On-chain charges can still appear around Lightning use. A self-custodial wallet may charge an on-chain fee when you deposit, open or adjust a channel, or move funds back on-chain. An exchange or provider may add its own withdrawal or service charge. These amounts are product- and route-specific; use the fee displayed immediately before confirmation and read any separate on-chain warning.
There is no single Lightning fee that applies to all wallets, amounts or routes. A larger payment may require a more expensive or less available route, and the quoted fee can change between attempts. If the fee is unacceptable, cancel before authorizing and ask the recipient whether another payment method or amount is appropriate.
Separate the cost of getting funds into the wallet from the cost of paying an invoice. A provider might show a deposit, conversion or withdrawal charge even when the Lightning route fee is small. When comparing wallets, look for clear disclosure of both categories, the point at which each is charged, and whether the displayed total includes all applicable charges.
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Why a Lightning payment can fail
The invoice is expired
Invoices carry an expiry. Your wallet should identify an expired request, but the wording differs by app. Ask the recipient to generate a fresh invoice and replace the old QR code or text. Do not keep retrying an expired request.
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A truncated paste, damaged QR code or amount mismatch can cause rejection. Compare the complete invoice, the displayed amount and the recipient’s requested amount. Have the recipient issue a new invoice rather than editing the text.
You have insufficient Lightning balance
An on-chain balance is not always immediately spendable over Lightning. Check which balance the wallet is using and whether a deposit or channel confirmation is still pending. Use only a funding route explicitly supported by the wallet or provider.
No route or insufficient liquidity
Lightning payments depend on a path with enough usable liquidity between the sender and recipient. Bitcoin Design notes that route-finding becomes more difficult for larger payments, and Lightning Labs’ liquidity guidance explains why channel capacity and its direction matter. A payment can therefore fail even when both parties have bitcoin.
If the wallet reports a route or liquidity failure, verify that the invoice is still valid and that no completed payment is shown. Then ask for a fresh invoice or try a smaller, agreed amount. Do not make repeated blind attempts while the status is uncertain.
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The wallet is still pending
Keep the app connected and consult its payment history. A pending status is not the same as a confirmed failure. If the wallet offers a recovery or support reference, record it. Contact the wallet provider or recipient with that reference before attempting another payment.
You used the wrong network screen
An on-chain send form may reject a Lightning invoice or, worse, encourage you to request a different address. Stop and return to the wallet’s Lightning pay function. Ask the recipient which network they can receive before sending anything.
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The provider has a limit or compatibility restriction
An exchange or hosted wallet can impose payment, withdrawal, account or regional limits. It may support Lightning deposits but not withdrawals, or accept only certain invoice formats. Read the error text and the provider’s current limits instead of repeatedly submitting the same request. If the service does not support the required route, move funds through a wallet and method it explicitly supports.
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- Verify the recipient through a separate channel for high-value payments. A QR code can be replaced or displayed on a compromised device.
- Read the amount in the wallet, not only on the invoice screen you were shown. Confirm the denomination and decimal placement.
- Check expiry before authorizing. A stale invoice is a reason to request a new one.
- Keep recovery material offline for self-custodial wallets. Anyone with the recovery phrase may be able to control the funds.
- Start with a small test payment when using an unfamiliar wallet or recipient workflow, provided both parties agree.
- Record the wallet’s final status. A receipt, payment ID or history entry is more useful than a screenshot of an invoice that was never paid.
- Never assume reversibility. Treat an authorized Lightning payment as final unless the wallet clearly reports failure and the funds are returned.
- Do not expose recovery information to support staff. A legitimate provider should not need your recovery phrase to investigate a payment status.
What happens after you press send
The wallet validates the invoice, searches for a route through the Lightning network, displays or applies the route fee, and attempts the payment. If the route succeeds, the recipient’s wallet should mark the invoice as paid and your wallet should show a completed payment. If route selection fails, the wallet should report failure without asking you to guess whether money arrived.
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Keep the payment record until the recipient confirms receipt, particularly for a business purchase or a transfer that may need accounting. A completed status, payment reference and recipient confirmation are more useful for support than the original invoice alone. If the app closes during payment, reopen its history and check the status before taking any action.
When to use an on-chain payment instead
Use an on-chain transaction when the recipient provides an on-chain address and cannot receive Lightning, when the amount or wallet limit exceeds the available Lightning route, or when your provider does not support Lightning withdrawals. Conversely, do not send an on-chain transaction to satisfy a Lightning invoice unless the recipient explicitly agrees to a different payment method. The two systems use different payment information and have different fee and confirmation behavior.
For an on-chain payment, the recipient generally expects a Bitcoin address and may wait for block confirmations. For Lightning, the recipient expects an invoice and a wallet status that normally resolves quickly. Ask which rail is intended before you copy any address or scan any code.
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Quick checklist
- Wallet supports Lightning sending.
- Funds are available on the correct balance and network.
- Recipient supplied a current Lightning invoice.
- Invoice was scanned or pasted without editing.
- Amount, memo, expiry and fee were checked.
- Wallet clearly shows Lightning rather than on-chain mode.
- Payment was authorized once and the final status was recorded.
- Any failure or pending state was resolved before retrying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Lightning invoice to send bitcoin over Lightning?
Usually, yes. The recipient creates a Lightning payment request, commonly shown as a QR code or text string. Use the wallet’s Lightning pay function to scan or paste it. An ordinary on-chain address is different and cannot be used as a Lightning invoice.
Can I send Lightning bitcoin from an exchange?
Only if the exchange currently supports Lightning withdrawals and your account, region and amount meet its requirements. Otherwise, move funds through a supported route into a Lightning-capable wallet. Check the network, limits and total charges before confirming.
Why is my Lightning payment failing?
Common causes include an expired or damaged invoice, insufficient Lightning balance, an unavailable route, insufficient channel liquidity, a provider limit or use of the on-chain send screen. Check the wallet status first, request a fresh invoice when appropriate and avoid blind retries while a payment is pending.
Are Lightning fees the same as Bitcoin miner fees?
No. A Lightning payment normally shows a routing fee, while an on-chain transaction can require a miner fee. Depositing, opening or adjusting channels, or withdrawing from a provider can also create separate on-chain or service charges.
How long does a Lightning invoice last?
The expiry is set by the invoice and wallet. A 2026 beginner guide describes 3,600 seconds as a common BOLT 11 default, but rely on the expiry displayed by your wallet. If it has expired, ask the recipient for a new invoice.
Is a self-custodial wallet required?
No. A custodial or provider-managed wallet may handle channel and liquidity work for you. Self-custody gives you control of the keys but adds responsibility for recovery information, funding and any channel or liquidity requirements.
What should I do if the payment says pending?
Do not send again immediately. Check payment history, keep the wallet connected, and record any reference or support code. Determine whether the payment completed, failed or remains pending, then contact the wallet provider or recipient before retrying.
Can I cancel or reverse a completed Lightning payment?
Do not assume that an authorized payment is reversible. Treat it as final unless the wallet clearly reports failure and returns the funds. For a mistake, contact the recipient promptly and keep the wallet’s payment record.
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To send bitcoin over Lightning, use a compatible wallet, make sure the balance is spendable on Lightning, obtain a current invoice, scan or paste it without editing, and review the amount, expiry and quoted fee. Confirm only once, then rely on the wallet’s completed, failed or pending status. Custodial wallets may simplify setup; self-custodial wallets provide key control but require careful recovery and funding management. If a payment fails, check expiry, balance, route availability and provider limits before trying again.
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