How to Convert Crypto on Coinbase (Buy ETH or LTC with Bitcoin)
Short answer: To buy ethereum, litecoin or another coin with bitcoin on Coinbase, use Convert: open the Buy/Sell menu, choose Convert, pick the coin you're giving up and the coin you want, enter an amount and review the preview. Conversions are not free; a spread and possibly a fee are built into the rate. In the US, swapping one crypto for another is a taxable event, even if you never cash out to dollars.
Two ways to swap coins on Coinbase
| Convert (simple) | Coinbase Advanced trading pair | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Coinbase quotes you a rate to swap coin A for coin B | You trade on an order book, e.g. a coin quoted in BTC, USD or USDC |
| Cost | Spread built into the rate, plus any fee shown on the preview | Maker/taker fees by 30-day volume, no Coinbase spread |
| Control | Market rate at the moment you confirm | Market, limit and stop orders |
| Pairs | Most pairs between assets you can trade | Only markets that exist; direct crypto-to-crypto pairs are limited |
| Best for | Occasional, small swaps; simplicity | Larger or frequent trades where fees matter |
How to use Convert, step by step
- Open the trade menu. In the Coinbase app, tap the Buy/Sell (or Trade) button and choose Convert.
- Pick the "from" coin. For example, bitcoin. You can only convert an asset you hold in your Coinbase account.
- Pick the "to" coin. For example, ethereum or litecoin.
- Enter an amount. You can usually enter it in dollars or in the coin.
- Review the preview. Check the exchange rate, the fee line and how much of the new coin you will receive. Compare the implied rate with the two coins' market prices if you want to see the spread.
- Confirm. The swap happens inside your Coinbase account; no blockchain transfer or network fee is involved.
Using Coinbase Advanced instead (formerly Coinbase Pro)
Coinbase Pro was phased out and fully shut down in late 2023; its trading tools now live in Coinbase Advanced inside the main app. Advanced uses an order book with maker/taker fees rather than a spread. The lowest fee tier is commonly reported as 0.40% maker / 0.60% taker, falling as your 30-day volume rises.
To swap BTC for ETH in Advanced you have two options:
- A direct pair, if one is offered for your region (for example a market quoting ETH in BTC). Search the market list to see what exists today.
- Two legs through a dollar or stablecoin market: sell BTC for USD or USDC, then buy ETH. That is two trades, so you pay fees twice, but on larger amounts it can still beat a spread-based quote. Limit orders also let you set your price; see limit vs stop orders.
Is converting crypto free on Coinbase?
No. Convert pricing includes a spread, and a fee may apply; Coinbase shows the total on the preview before you confirm. The spread on simple trades is commonly reported at around 0.5% but varies with market conditions and the coins involved.
Coinbase One removes the trading fee on eligible simple trades up to its plan limits, but the spread still applies, and Advanced orders are excluded. Our Coinbase fees guide covers every cost line.
The tax catch: crypto-to-crypto is taxable
Each conversion creates a record you'll need at tax time: what you gave up, its cost basis, and the dollar value at the moment of the swap. Starting with the 2025 tax year, brokers including Coinbase issue Form 1099-DA reporting gross proceeds, and Coinbase provides tax reports in the app. Frequent small swaps can create a lot of taxable events. Read our Coinbase taxes guide and talk to a tax professional about your situation.
Before you swap: is it worth it?
Every conversion costs a spread or fees and may trigger tax. Switching coins because one is rallying is a common way investors end up buying high and selling low. If you are rotating between coins often, it helps to have a plan for when to buy and when to sit tight; our guide to timing crypto purchases and market cycles explainer are good starting points.
Bottom line
Convert is the easiest way to buy one crypto with another on Coinbase, but you pay for the convenience through the spread. For larger swaps, Coinbase Advanced often costs less. Either way, in the US a swap is a taxable sale of the coin you give up, so keep records.
FAQ
How do I buy ethereum with bitcoin on Coinbase?
Use Convert: choose bitcoin as the "from" asset and ethereum as the "to" asset, enter an amount, review the preview and confirm. Or use Coinbase Advanced if a suitable market exists.
Can I buy litecoin with bitcoin on Coinbase?
Yes, through Convert, as long as both assets are available in your region. Litecoin trades on the Coinbase exchange, though it is not supported in the separate Coinbase Wallet app.
Is converting crypto on Coinbase a taxable event?
In the US, generally yes. A crypto-to-crypto swap is treated as selling the first coin. See our taxes guide.
Can I convert crypto for free on Coinbase?
Not entirely. Coinbase One can remove the trading fee on eligible simple trades, but the spread still applies. Check the preview screen for the full cost.
Where did the Coinbase Pro convert option go?
Coinbase Pro closed in late 2023. Use Convert in the main app or trade in Coinbase Advanced. More in Coinbase vs Coinbase Pro.
Sources
- Coinbase Help — Fees (checked Nov 2026)
- Coinbase Help — Advanced trade fees (checked Nov 2026)
- Coinbase — Coinbase One (checked Nov 2026)
- Coinbase Help — What crypto does Wallet support (checked Nov 2026)
- IRS — Digital assets (checked Nov 2026)
- CoinDesk — Coinbase phasing out Pro for Advanced (checked Nov 2026)