Uniswap is the leading decentralized exchange for swapping ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum and popular L2s. This tutorial walks you through each step—wallet setup, network selection, token verification, slippage, approvals, and completing your trade—plus safety and troubleshooting tips. The steps reflect the current Uniswap web app and UniswapX features.
What you need before you start
A self-custody wallet that you control (not an exchange login) and a small amount of ETH for network fees on the chain you’ll use. Custodial accounts can’t connect to DeFi dapps like Uniswap. If you’re new to wallets, Uniswap’s help center explains the difference and how to get started. For gas math, remember Ethereum uses base fee + priority tip (EIP-1559).
Step 1 — Open the official Uniswap app and connect your wallet
Go to the Uniswap web app and choose Connect. Select your wallet directly or connect via WalletConnect (scan the QR in your wallet app). Always verify you’re on the correct URL before approving any connection.
Tip for hardware-wallet users: you can trade through Ledger Live’s Uniswap integration or connect your Ledger to a browser wallet (e.g., MetaMask) and then to Uniswap.
Step 2 — Pick the right network
Uniswap products support Ethereum mainnet and multiple L2s. Lower-fee networks like Base, Arbitrum, or OP Mainnet can be cheaper for smaller trades. You can check supported networks and official deployments in Uniswap’s docs.
Step 3 — Select tokens safely
In the Swap panel, choose the token you’re selling and the token you want to receive. If a token doesn’t appear, paste its contract address (double-check on a reputable explorer). Uniswap Labs products display token warnings and labels (e.g., “high sell fee,” “unsellable”) powered by Blockaid—treat these seriously.
Background: Uniswap pioneered the open Token Lists standard; reputable lists help interfaces display correct metadata.
Step 4 — Review route, price impact, and slippage
The quote shows the route and estimated output. Price impact is how much your own trade moves the pool price; slippage is the difference between the quote and actual execution. The Uniswap web app auto-sets slippage for many trades, and you can change it in Settings if needed.
“Minimum received” (or “Maximum spent”) enforces your slippage guardrail; if execution would be worse, the swap reverts.
Step 5 — Understand fees on Uniswap
Every swap pays an LP fee determined by the pool’s fee tier (commonly 0.05%, 0.30%, 1%, plus a 0.01% tier added by governance). You also pay the network’s gas fee unless you use a gasless route via UniswapX.
Ethereum gas uses EIP-1559: total fee = gas used × (base fee + priority fee). Wallets estimate this for you.
Step 6 — Choose routing: onchain swap or UniswapX gasless order
Uniswap can route trades directly through its AMM pools (v2/v3/v4) or via UniswapX—an auction-based aggregator with MEV protections and gasless swaps where a filler pays the gas. The interface will indicate when a swap is using UniswapX and guide you to sign an order instead of sending a transaction.
There are chain constraints for UniswapX versions; check the current support if a quote fails on your selected network.
Step 7 — Approve tokens and set a sensible spending cap
The first time you trade a given token from your wallet, you’ll be asked to approve it—this permission lets the router or UniswapX spend only that token to execute your swap. Many wallets now let you customize a “spending cap” instead of granting unlimited allowance. Uniswap’s Permit2 system standardizes safer approvals across apps.
If approvals get stuck or a token uses non-standard approvals (e.g., USDT), revoke and re-approve. You can revoke via explorers or tools like Revoke.cash.
Step 8 — Swap and confirm
Click Swap, review the final details (route, slippage, minimum received, fees), then sign. For ETH↔tokens, older routes may wrap/unwrap ETH to WETH; Uniswap v4 pools support native ETH directly. The interface handles this automatically.
When the transaction confirms, you’ll see the tokens in your wallet. If you submitted a UniswapX order, it fills without you paying gas.
Advanced tips for better execution
- Use L2s for small trades to reduce gas. Always keep some native token on that L2 for fees.
- Consider MEV-aware routing. UniswapX and private orderflow aim to reduce sandwiching vs. public mempool broadcasts.
- Large orders: watch price impact and consider splitting the trade.
- Hardware wallets or Ledger Live + Uniswap can add an extra layer of protection.
Troubleshooting
- Swap stuck or failing: check slippage, price impact, and token warnings. Some malicious tokens are designed to be unsellable.
- “Approval required” keeps reappearing: revoke the existing approval, then try again.
- Token not showing in your wallet: add the token by contract address in your wallet UI.
- Network errors: confirm you’re on a supported network and the correct chain RPC.
What changed recently on Uniswap?
Uniswap v4 launched on January 31, 2025, introducing hooks, a singleton architecture, lower gas for new pools, and native ETH support—improving swap routes and developer flexibility behind the scenes. For everyday traders, it mainly means more efficient routing and features the interface can tap into.
Quick Step-By-Step Checklist
- Connect a self-custody wallet to the Uniswap web app.
- Select a supported network (Ethereum or an L2).
- Pick tokens; verify contract addresses and heed token warnings.
- Review route, price impact, and slippage; adjust slippage if necessary.
- Approve the token with a reasonable spending cap; revoke later if needed.
- Swap or sign a gasless UniswapX order; then verify confirmation in your wallet or explorer.
