Connect your Solana-compatible wallet–Phantom, Solflare, or Backpack–to Raydium’s interface. Ensure you’ve funded it with SOL for gas fees; transactions typically cost 0.000005 SOL (~$0.001) but can spike during congestion. Without SOL, your trade won’t process.
Select the trading pair from Raydium’s liquidity pools. For example, swapping SOL for USDC taps into a pool with $28M in liquidity (as of May 2024), ensuring minimal slippage below 0.3% for trades under $10K. Check real-time depth charts–Raydium aggregates order books from Serum for tighter spreads.
Set limit orders or market buys directly. Market orders execute instantly but may incur up to 1.5% slippage during volatile moves. For precision, use limit orders: specify a price and wait for the order book to fill. Raydium’s UI displays historical fill rates–SOL/USDC orders under 0.5% from mid-price clear 98% of the time.
Confirm the transaction in your wallet. Failed trades often stem from insufficient SOL for fees or outdated token accounts. If errors persist, reset your wallet’s connection and retry. Successful trades reflect in your wallet within 8 seconds–Solana’s average block time.
Track your transaction hash on Solscan to verify execution. Raydium routes trades through its AMM or Serum’s order book, so fees vary: 0.25% for AMM swaps vs. 0.1% + maker/taker fees for Serum. For high-frequency traders, Raydium’s API enables programmatic execution with rate limits of 50 requests/second.
How to Swap Tokens on Raydium Exchange
Connect your Solana-compatible wallet (Phantom, Solflare, or Ledger) to the platform. Ensure you have SOL for transaction fees–0.0005 SOL per trade is typical.
- Select pairs: Choose the assets you want to trade (e.g., SOL to USDC) from the dropdown menus.
- Set slippage: Adjust tolerance (0.1%-1%) in settings to avoid failed orders during volatility.
- Review rates: Check the price impact–over 2% may indicate low liquidity pools.
- Confirm: Sign the transaction in your wallet. Transactions usually complete in under 5 seconds.
For limit orders:
- Navigate to the “Trade” tab and select “Limit”
- Input your desired price–Raydium’s order book aggregates Serum DEX liquidity
- Expiry times range from 1 hour to 30 days
Pro tip: Bookmark raydium.io/swap to bypass farm/stake pages. Mobile users report better success with Solflare than Phantom for iOS.
Connect Your Wallet to Raydium
Open your preferred Solana-compatible wallet–Phantom, Solflare, or Backpack–and ensure it’s funded with SOL for gas fees. Click “Connect Wallet” in the top-right corner of the interface, then select your provider from the pop-up menu.
Supported Wallet Options
Phantom, Solflare, and Backpack offer seamless integration. Mobile users must enable WalletConnect via QR code scanning. Hardware wallets like Ledger require Solana app installation and blind signing enabled.
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
If the platform doesn’t detect your wallet, refresh the page or restart the browser. For persistent errors, check network settings–Solana Mainnet must be selected. Disable conflicting browser extensions temporarily.
Approval prompts vary by wallet: Phantom uses a pop-up, while Ledger requires manual device confirmation. Reject any unexpected signature requests to prevent unauthorized access.
Select the Token You Want to Swap From
Open the platform and locate the dropdown menu labeled “From” at the top of the interface. Click it to see available assets.
Popular choices include SOL, USDC, and BTC, but verify liquidity by checking the displayed pool size next to each option. Low liquidity pairs may result in slippage.
| Asset | Recommended Min. Pool Size | Typical Slippage |
|---|---|---|
| SOL | 10,000+ | 0.1-0.5% |
| USDC | 500,000+ | 0.05-0.2% |
| Low-cap altcoins | 50,000+ | 1-5%+ |
Type the asset name or ticker in the search bar to filter options. Double-check contract addresses for lesser-known assets–scam copies often appear in results.
For stablecoin transactions, prioritize USDC over alternatives. Its deeper liquidity typically provides better rates than USDT or DAI on this platform.
After selection, review the balance displayed below the dropdown. Insufficient amounts trigger an error; adjust the quantity or fund your wallet before proceeding.
Choose the Token You Want to Receive
Selecting the right asset depends on liquidity, volatility, and long-term potential. Check the available pairs in the dropdown menu–stablecoins like USDC offer lower risk, while newer assets might have higher slippage.
| Factor | Stablecoin (USDC) | Mid-Cap Asset | New Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slippage Tolerance | 0.1-0.5% | 1-3% | 5%+ |
| 24h Volume | $50M+ | $5-20M | Under $1M |
| Price Impact | Minimal | Moderate | High |
Verify contract addresses–scams often mimic popular assets. Cross-reference CoinGecko or the project’s official docs before confirming.
For low-fee transactions, prioritize Solana-based assets. ETH-wrapped alternatives incur bridge costs and slower settlement times.
Enter the Amount You Wish to Swap
Input the exact figure you want to trade in the designated field. Double-check decimals–entering 10.0 instead of 10 could mean a 10x difference in value.
Precision Matters
- Min/Max limits: Some pairs enforce a 0.1 SOL minimum or 10,000 USDC cap per transaction.
- Slippage: For stable pairs, set 0.1%; volatile assets may need 1-3% to avoid failed orders.
- Balances: Subtract network fees–0.0005 SOL per signature, plus 0.25% platform charges.
Common Errors & Fixes
- Insufficient liquidity: Reduce your amount by 5% if the order fails.
- Price impact >5%: Split large trades into smaller batches.
- Wallet discrepancies: Refresh the page if balances don’t update.
Pro tip: Bookmark Solscan to verify real-time rates before confirming.
Check the Current Exchange Rate
Open the trading pair you’re interested in–the rate updates in real-time. Look for the price chart near the liquidity pool details; it shows historical trends and live fluctuations.
Compare rates across multiple sources before confirming a trade. Platforms like CoinGecko or Birdeye often display slight variations due to liquidity differences.
Use the slippage tolerance setting (default is 0.5%) if the rate shifts mid-transaction. Higher volatility pairs may require 1-2% to avoid failed orders.
| Data Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 24h Volume | Higher volume = tighter spreads |
| Price Impact | Above 1%? Expect rate shifts |
Pro tip: Refresh the page before executing–cached data might lag behind actual market conditions.
Review the Estimated Fees
Check the network fee before confirming a transaction–Solana’s base rate is typically $0.0005 to $0.01 per action, but congestion can spike costs.
Breakdown of Costs
Three fees apply:
- Network fee: Paid to Solana validators (0.000005 SOL per signature).
- Protocol fee: 0.01% to 0.3% of trade volume, deducted automatically.
- Priority fee: Optional during high traffic (adds 0.000001 to 0.00001 SOL for faster execution).
Minimizing Expenses
Execute trades during off-peak hours (UTC 00:00–06:00) when Solana’s average fee drops 40%. Monitor Solscan for real-time network stats.
| Scenario | Estimated Cost (SOL) |
|---|---|
| Standard trade (low congestion) | 0.0001 – 0.0003 |
| High-volume trade (0.3% fee) | 0.003 per $1,000 |
| Priority fee (rush hour) | +0.000005 |
Use wallets like Phantom or Solflare to preview fees before signing–they display exact SOL deductions.
Adjust Slippage Tolerance if Needed
Set slippage between 0.5% and 2% for stable pairs like USDC-USDT. Volatile assets may require 3-5% to avoid failed transactions during rapid price movements.
When to Increase Slippage
Bump to 5-10% if trades consistently fail. High volatility periods (e.g., major news events) often demand adjustments–check historical price swings on Birdeye or Dexscreener before confirming.
| Asset Type | Recommended Slippage |
|---|---|
| Stablecoins | 0.1-0.5% |
| Top 50 MCap | 0.5-2% |
| Low-liquidity alts | 3-10% |
Risks of Over-Adjusting
Setting 10%+ slippage on large orders risks significant price impact–front-running bots may exploit wide tolerances. For trades over $10k, split into smaller chunks with 1-2% slippage instead.
Monitor pending transactions in your wallet. If stuck for >30 seconds, cancel and retry with slightly higher slippage (1% increments). Persistent failures suggest liquidity issues–switch to deeper pools.
Confirm the Transaction Details
Double-check every field before finalizing. A single misclick can lead to irreversible errors.
- Input/Output amounts: Verify the exact figures match your expectations.
- Slippage tolerance: Set between 0.5%-1% for stable pairs, 1%-3% for volatile assets.
- Network fees: Solana transactions typically cost $0.01-$0.10–unexpected high fees indicate congestion.
Use this table to spot anomalies:
| Field | Expected Value | Actual Value |
|---|---|---|
| You Receive | ≥ 100 USDC | 98.5 USDC |
| Price Impact | < 0.5% | 1.2% |
If discrepancies exceed 2%, cancel and recheck liquidity pools. Hover over the question mark icons to reveal real-time pool depth metrics.
- Click “View on Explorer” to audit the pending transaction.
- Match the contract address with official documentation.
- Reject if the “Approve” screen requests unlimited spending.
Phantom and Solflare wallets display previews–cross-reference these with your calculations. Transactions failing verification should be abandoned immediately.
Approve the Token Spend in Your Wallet
Connect your wallet to the platform before initiating any transactions. Without this step, the system won’t recognize your assets or permissions.
Locate the asset you want to authorize. Click the “Approve” button next to it–this triggers a wallet popup requesting confirmation.
Gas fees apply for on-chain approvals. Expect costs between $2-$15 on Solana, depending on network congestion. Check real-time fees using Solscan before proceeding.
Set a spending cap. Some wallets default to “Unlimited” approvals–avoid this for security. Specify the exact amount needed for your transaction.
Double-check the contract address. Scammers spoof approval requests–verify the address matches the official project documentation.
After approval, the asset becomes available for transactions. Revoke unused permissions later through your wallet’s “Connected Apps” settings to reduce exposure.
| Action | Time Required | Avg. Cost (SOL) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Approval | 5-30 sec | 0.0005 – 0.002 |
| Revoke Permission | 10-45 sec | 0.0003 – 0.0015 |
Failed approvals usually stem from insufficient SOL for gas. Keep at least 0.01 SOL in your wallet for buffer.
Execute the Swap Transaction
Confirm the trade details–check the input/output amounts, slippage tolerance, and network fees before proceeding. A 0.3% slippage setting works for most stable pairs, but volatile assets may require 1-2% to avoid failed transactions.
Click “Confirm” to sign the transaction via your connected wallet (e.g., Phantom, Solflare). Mobile users must approve the pop-up notification; browser extensions display a signing request. Transactions typically process in under 10 seconds on Solana.
Monitor the transaction hash in a block explorer like Solscan. Failed trades often result from insufficient SOL for gas (keep at least 0.01 SOL) or rapid price movements exceeding slippage. Adjust parameters and retry if needed.
Successful trades reflect immediately in your wallet balance. For large orders (>$10k), split into smaller chunks to minimize price impact–check the “Price Impact” indicator before confirming.
| Parameter | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Slippage Tolerance | 0.3% (stable pairs), 1.5% (volatile) |
| Minimum SOL Balance | 0.01 SOL |
| Max Single Trade Size | $10k (avoids >1% price impact) |
Bookmark the transaction hash for tax reporting. Third-party tools like Step Finance can decode Solana transaction histories into CSV formats for accounting.
Verify the Transaction on the Blockchain Explorer
After executing a trade, confirm its status using a Solana blockchain explorer like Solscan or Solana Explorer. Locate the transaction ID (TXID) from your wallet’s activity log–this alphanumeric string starts with a series of random characters.
Steps to Confirm Execution
1. Paste the TXID into the search bar of the explorer. The page will display whether the trade succeeded or failed.
2. Check the timestamp–valid trades show a block confirmation within seconds.
3. Review the fee–typical Solana transactions cost ~0.000005 SOL (≈$0.001).
4. Verify token balances under “Token Transfers” to ensure the correct amounts were exchanged.
If the status shows “Success” but funds aren’t visible, refresh your wallet or check the receiving address separately. Failed transactions often indicate slippage issues or insufficient gas–adjust settings and retry.
Common Errors & Fixes
“Not Finalized”: Network congestion–wait 1-2 minutes.
“Error: Invalid Account”: Incorrect token mint address used.
“Out of Gas”: Increase priority fee (0.00001 SOL minimum recommended).
For disputes, export the TXID as proof–exchanges and support teams require this for resolution.
Check Your Wallet for the Received Tokens
Open your Solana-compatible wallet (e.g., Phantom, Solflare) immediately after completing the trade. Look for the new asset in your holdings–it should appear within seconds due to Solana’s fast confirmation times.
Verification Steps
- Match the transaction ID: Cross-reference the wallet activity with the blockchain explorer (Solscan or Explorer).
- Confirm decimals: Some assets display zero balance if the wallet doesn’t recognize the decimal format. Manually add the contract address if needed.
- Check for fees: A small SOL deduction (0.000005-0.00001 SOL) confirms network processing.
Common Issues & Fixes
- Missing assets? Refresh the wallet or reconnect it to the platform.
- Incorrect amount? Compare the expected output with the slippage-adjusted trade details.
- Pending transaction? Solana’s 400ms block times mean delays over 30 seconds require a network check.
For transparency, track all movements using the wallet’s native history tab or third-party portfolio trackers like Step Finance.
Troubleshoot Failed or Pending Transactions
Check Solana network congestion first. High traffic slows confirmations. Visit Solscan or Solana Explorer to verify current TPS (transactions per second). Below 2,000 TPS often causes delays.
Adjust priority fees. Default settings may not suffice during peak activity. Manually set a higher fee (0.000005 SOL or above) before signing.
Insufficient SOL for gas? Each interaction requires ~0.001 SOL. If balances show zero after deductions for open orders, fund the wallet.
| Error Code | Solution |
|---|---|
| TransactionExpiredBlockhashNotFound | Resubmit with a fresh blockhash |
| InsufficientFundsForRent | Deposit 0.02+ SOL for account rent |
| CustomProgramError(0x1771) | Slippage too low – increase tolerance |
Wallet timeouts need force-refreshing. Phantom and Solflare sometimes freeze mid-process. Close the app completely, reopen, then check alternative explorers for TX status.
Pending transactions may still succeed. Solana’s 32-block finalization takes ~13 seconds. If no failure message appears after 2 minutes, the TX likely dropped – no need to retry unless funds deduct.
RPC issues demand endpoint switches. Public RPCs like api.mainnet-beta.solana.com often throttle requests. Use private endpoints from QuickNode or Alchemy.
