How to swap tokens on Uniswap? (DEX tutorial)

Connecting Your Wallet

1. Navigate to the official Uniswap interface at app.uniswap.org.

2. Click the Connect Wallet button located in the top-right corner of the page.

3. Select your preferred wallet provider—MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Trust Wallet, or others supported by Uniswap.

4. Approve the connection request within your wallet extension or mobile app.

5. Confirm that your wallet address and network (Ethereum Mainnet or a supported Layer 2 like Base or Arbitrum) are correctly displayed.

Selecting Token Pair and Amount

1. Locate the swap interface with two input fields labeled From and To.

2. Click the asset icon or text next to From and search for or select the token you wish to trade away.

3. Click the asset icon or text next to To and choose the token you want to receive.

4. Enter the exact amount of the source token you intend to swap.

5. Observe the real-time price impact indicator and slippage tolerance setting beneath the input fields.

Reviewing Swap Details

1. Check the estimated output amount shown below the To field—this value may fluctuate before confirmation.

2. Verify the current Price displayed, which reflects the ratio between the two tokens based on pool reserves.

3. Examine the Pool Fee percentage—0.01%, 0.05%, 0.30%, or 1.00%—depending on the selected liquidity pool.

4. Review the Slippage Tolerance setting; default is usually 0.5%, but it can be adjusted manually if market volatility is high.

5. Inspect the Estimated Gas Fee shown in ETH and USD equivalent—this varies depending on network congestion.

Confirming and Executing the Transaction

1. Click the Swap button after verifying all details.

2. A modal window appears showing final trade summary including minimum received, deadline, and fee breakdown.

3. Click Confirm Swap to initiate the transaction signing process.

4. Approve the transaction in your connected wallet—review gas price and confirm again if prompted.

5. Wait for blockchain confirmation; successful swaps appear in your wallet’s transaction history and reflect updated balances.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. If the Insufficient Liquidity error appears, the selected pair may lack active pools—try switching networks or selecting alternative tokens.

2. When encountering Price Impact Too High, reduce the swap size or choose a different fee tier with deeper liquidity.

3. A Transaction Reverted message often indicates incorrect slippage settings or outdated allowances—adjust slippage or re-approve token spending.

4. If tokens do not appear post-swap, ensure they are added to your wallet’s custom token list using their correct contract address and decimals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need ETH to swap tokens on Uniswap?A: Yes. ETH is required to pay for gas fees on Ethereum Mainnet. On Layer 2 networks like Arbitrum or Base, native gas tokens (e.g., ETH on Arbitrum) serve the same purpose.

Q: Can I swap tokens without revealing my identity?A: Yes. Uniswap operates non-custodially and does not require KYC verification or personal information to execute swaps.

Q: What happens if I set slippage too low during high volatility?A: The transaction may fail due to price movement exceeding the allowed deviation, resulting in a reverted swap and lost gas fees.

Q: How do I know which fee tier to choose for a token pair?A: Check the pool’s liquidity depth and historical volatility. Stablecoin pairs typically use 0.01%; mid-cap tokens often use 0.30%; highly volatile or new tokens may require 1.00%.