> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rivrdex.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Swapping tokens

> Exchange one token for another at the current AMM price. Near-gasless, with a flat 0.35% fee.

Swapping exchanges one token for another using RivrDEX's automated market maker (AMM). The AMM prices every trade using the constant product formula — no order book, no counterparty required.

## How swaps work

When you submit a swap, RivrDEX:

1. Calculates the output amount based on the current pool reserves and the constant product formula (`x * y = k`).
2. Deducts a **0.35% fee** from your input amount — the pool's liquidity providers earn 0.3% of it.
3. Updates the pool reserves, which shifts the price for the next trade.

## Fees

| Fee type          | Amount                            | Who receives it                               |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Swap fee          | 0.35% of input                    | Liquidity providers (0.3%) + protocol (0.05%) |
| Network fee (gas) | Near-zero — a tiny amount of VARA | Vara Network                                  |

<Note>
  RivrDEX runs on Vara Network, which means near-zero network fees. In practice, the only cost that matters is the 0.35% swap fee, deducted from your input token. Your first swap's network fee is covered entirely by a [voucher](/docs/getting-started/voucher-guide).
</Note>

## Slippage tolerance

Slippage is the difference between the price you see when you submit a swap and the price at which it executes. It happens because other transactions can change pool reserves between when you submit and when your swap lands on-chain.

You can set a **slippage tolerance** — the maximum price movement you'll accept before the trade reverts automatically.

| Setting | When to use                                               |
| ------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| 0.5%    | Default for most trades on stable or high-liquidity pairs |
| 1.0%    | Pairs with moderate liquidity or higher volatility        |
| >1.0%   | Low-liquidity pairs or large trades; use with caution     |

<Tip>
  Setting slippage too low causes trades to fail when prices move even slightly. Setting it too high means you may receive significantly less than expected. Start with 0.5%–1% for most swaps.
</Tip>

## Price impact

Price impact is how much your trade moves the pool price. Larger trades relative to pool size cause higher price impact — you push the price against yourself as you buy or sell.

RivrDEX shows your estimated price impact before you confirm. If it's high:

* Consider splitting your trade into smaller chunks.
* Wait for more liquidity to enter the pool.
* Accept the impact if the trade is still worthwhile at that price.

<Warning>
  Trades with price impact above 5% will be flagged in the UI. Proceed only if you understand the effective price you're receiving.
</Warning>

## How to swap

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the swap interface">
    Go to [app.rivrdex.io](https://app.rivrdex.io) and select **Swap** from the navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your input token">
    Click the token selector in the **From** field and choose the token you want to sell. Enter the amount you want to swap.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your output token">
    Click the token selector in the **To** field and choose the token you want to receive. The estimated output amount updates automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the trade details">
    Check the following before confirming:

    * **Exchange rate** — how many output tokens per input token
    * **Price impact** — how much your trade moves the pool price
    * **Minimum received** — the least you'll get after slippage
    * **Fee** — 0.35% of your input amount
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust slippage if needed">
    Click the settings icon to set your slippage tolerance. The default is 0.5%.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the swap">
    Click **Swap**, then approve the transaction in your wallet. Your output tokens arrive in your wallet once the transaction is confirmed.
  </Step>
</Steps>