How to Use Uniswap
Uniswap is the largest decentralized exchange (DEX). Trade any ERC-20 token directly from your wallet - no account needed, no KYC, full control of your funds.
- MetaMask or compatible wallet
- ETH for gas fees ($10-50 recommended)
- Tokens you want to swap
Prepare Your Wallet
Before using Uniswap, make sure your wallet is ready:
- Install MetaMask (if not already done - see our MetaMask guide)
- Add ETH for gas - Every swap costs gas fees
- Have tokens to swap - ETH or any ERC-20 token
Ethereum gas fees vary wildly:
- Cheap times: $5-15 per swap
- Busy times: $30-100+ per swap
Check gas prices at etherscan.io/gastracker before trading. If fees are high, wait or use Layer 2.
Alternative: Use Layer 2 for Lower Fees
Uniswap works on cheaper networks:
- Arbitrum - $0.10-1 per swap
- Optimism - $0.10-1 per swap
- Polygon - $0.01-0.10 per swap
Connect to Uniswap
- Go to app.uniswap.org (type it directly!)
- Click "Connect" in the top right
- Select "MetaMask" from the options
- MetaMask popup appears - click "Connect"
- You'll see your wallet address in the corner
Fake Uniswap sites will steal your funds! The ONLY official URL is:
app.uniswap.org
NOT: uniswap.com, uniswap.io, app-uniswap.org, etc.
After verifying you're on the real site, bookmark it. Always use your bookmark to access Uniswap - never click links from emails, Discord, or Twitter.
Make Your First Swap
- In the "You pay" field, select token to swap FROM (e.g., ETH)
- In the "You receive" field, select token to swap TO (e.g., USDC)
- Enter the amount you want to swap
- Review the exchange rate and price impact
- Click "Swap"
- Review the transaction details in the popup
- Confirm in MetaMask
- Wait for transaction to confirm (30 seconds - few minutes)
Understanding the Swap Screen:
- Exchange rate - How much you get per token
- Price impact - How much your trade moves the price
- Minimum received - Worst case due to slippage
- Network fee - Gas cost in USD
- Under 1% = Normal
- 1-5% = Acceptable for small trades
- Over 5% = You're losing money!
High price impact means you're trading too much relative to available liquidity. Split into smaller trades.
Advanced Tips
Slippage Settings:
Click the gear icon to adjust slippage tolerance:
- 0.5% - For stable pairs (ETH/USDC)
- 1% - Default, good for most trades
- 3-5% - For volatile or low-liquidity tokens
Price can change between when you submit and when your trade executes. Slippage tolerance is the maximum price change you'll accept. If price moves more, transaction fails (you only pay gas).
Adding Custom Tokens:
- Click "Select token"
- Paste the contract address
- Click "Import"
- Verify it's the correct token (check CoinGecko)
Anyone can create tokens with any name. "SHIB" could be fake SHIB. Always verify the contract address on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap before trading unknown tokens.
Gas Saving Tips:
- Trade during low-gas times (weekends, early morning)
- Use Layer 2 networks for smaller trades
- Batch multiple small trades into one larger trade
- Set a gas limit you're comfortable with