Table of Contents
Introduction to Jumper Swap
Jumper Swap makes cross-chain token swapping simple and efficient. Whether you're moving assets from Ethereum to Arbitrum, or swapping USDC on Polygon for ETH on Optimism, Jumper handles all the complexity behind the scenes while finding you the best possible rates.
In this comprehensive tutorial, you'll learn:
- How to execute your first swap on Jumper Exchange
- Tips for getting the best rates and lowest fees
- How to track your transactions
- Solutions to common issues
- Advanced features for experienced users
By the end of this guide, you'll be comfortable swapping tokens across any of the 62+ blockchains supported by Jumper Exchange.
What You'll Need Before Starting
Before executing your first Jumper Swap, make sure you have:
1. A Web3 Wallet
You'll need a compatible cryptocurrency wallet installed and set up. Popular options include:
- MetaMask - Most popular browser extension wallet
- Coinbase Wallet - User-friendly mobile and browser wallet
- Trust Wallet - Mobile-first wallet with WalletConnect
- Rainbow Wallet - Beautiful mobile wallet
- Any WalletConnect-compatible wallet
2. Cryptocurrency in Your Wallet
You need tokens to swap! Make sure you have:
- The tokens you want to swap (e.g., ETH, USDC, USDT)
- Native gas tokens for the source blockchain (ETH for Ethereum, MATIC for Polygon, etc.)
3. Understanding of Gas Fees
Every blockchain transaction requires gas fees. Budget for:
- Source chain gas fee (to initiate the swap)
- Destination chain gas fee (usually minimal or covered)
- Bridge/DEX protocol fees (typically 0.05-0.3%)
Pro Tip: Always keep some extra gas tokens in your wallet. Running out of gas mid-transaction can cause failures.
Step 1: Connect Your Wallet to Jumper Exchange
Let's get started with your first Jumper Swap!
1.1: Visit Jumper Exchange
- Navigate to jumper.exchange
- Click the "Launch App" button in the navigation bar
- You'll be taken to the Jumper Exchange swap interface
1.2: Click "Connect Wallet"
Look for the "Connect Wallet" button in the top-right corner of the interface. Click it to see all available wallet options.
1.3: Choose Your Wallet
Select your preferred wallet from the list:
- If using MetaMask, click the MetaMask option
- For mobile wallets, select WalletConnect and scan the QR code
- For Coinbase Wallet, click the Coinbase option
1.4: Approve Connection
Your wallet will pop up asking you to approve the connection. Review the permissions and click "Connect" or "Approve."
Security Note: Jumper Exchange will never ask for your seed phrase or private keys. Only connect through the official jumper.exchange website.
What You'll See After Connecting:
- Your wallet address displayed in the top-right
- Your token balances visible in the swap interface
- Network indicator showing your current blockchain
Step 2: Select Your Source Chain and Token
Now it's time to choose what you want to swap from.
2.1: Select Source Blockchain
- Look for the "From" section in the swap interface
- Click on the chain selector (defaults to your wallet's current network)
- Browse or search from 62+ available blockchains
- Click on your desired source chain (e.g., Ethereum)
2.2: Choose Source Token
- Click on the token dropdown in the "From" section
- You'll see your token balances for that chain
- Search for the token you want to swap (e.g., ETH, USDC)
- Click to select it
Quick Tip: Popular tokens like ETH, USDC, USDT, and WBTC are usually at the top of the list for easy access.
Supported Token Types:
- Native tokens (ETH, MATIC, AVAX, etc.)
- Stablecoins (USDC, USDT, DAI, etc.)
- Wrapped tokens (WETH, WBTC, etc.)
- Popular DeFi tokens (UNI, AAVE, LINK, etc.)
Step 3: Choose Your Destination Chain and Token
Next, select where you want your tokens to end up.
3.1: Select Destination Blockchain
- Find the "To" section in the swap interface
- Click the chain selector dropdown
- Choose your destination blockchain (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon)
3.2: Choose Destination Token
- Click the token dropdown in the "To" section
- Select the token you want to receive
- You can choose the same token (bridging) or a different one (swapping + bridging)
Popular Cross-Chain Routes:
- ETH (Ethereum) → ETH (Arbitrum) - Save on gas fees
- USDC (Ethereum) → USDC (Polygon) - Move stablecoins cheaply
- ETH (Ethereum) → USDC (Optimism) - Swap and bridge in one transaction
- USDT (BSC) → USDC (Avalanche) - Cross-chain stablecoin swap
Smart Feature: Jumper Exchange will automatically check if the destination token exists on the target chain and suggest alternatives if needed.
Step 4: Enter the Amount You Want to Swap
4.1: Input Your Swap Amount
- Click in the amount field under the "From" section
- Type the amount of tokens you want to swap
- The destination amount will automatically calculate
4.2: Use Quick Amount Buttons
Most Jumper interfaces include convenient buttons:
- 25% - Swap a quarter of your balance
- 50% - Swap half your balance
- 75% - Swap three-quarters
- MAX - Swap your entire balance (minus gas fees)
Important: When using MAX, Jumper automatically reserves enough tokens for gas fees, so you won't run out during the transaction.
4.3: Check Estimated Output
As you type, watch the "To" section update in real-time showing:
- Estimated tokens you'll receive
- Current exchange rate
- Price impact percentage
Step 5: Review Route, Fees, and Details
Before executing, Jumper Exchange shows you exactly what will happen.
5.1: Review the Route
Jumper displays the route your transaction will take:
- Route: Which bridges and DEXs will be used
- Steps: If multiple steps are needed (swap then bridge, or split routes)
- Estimated Time: How long the transaction will take (typically 2-5 minutes)
5.2: Check All Fees
Jumper provides complete transparency on costs:
- Gas Fee: Network transaction costs (varies by chain and congestion)
- Protocol Fees: Bridge and DEX fees (usually 0.05-0.3%)
- Price Impact: How your trade affects the market price
- Minimum Received: Guaranteed minimum amount accounting for slippage
5.3: Compare Alternative Routes
Click "View Alternative Routes" to see other options:
- Faster but slightly more expensive routes
- Cheaper but slower options
- Different bridge/DEX combinations
Pro Tip: The default route is usually best for most users, but advanced users might prefer alternatives based on specific needs (speed vs. cost).
Step 6: Execute Your Swap
6.1: Click "Swap" or "Approve"
If this is your first time swapping this token:
- Click "Approve [Token]"
- Confirm the approval in your wallet
- Wait for the approval transaction to confirm (~15 seconds)
- Then click "Swap"
For subsequent swaps of the same token, you'll only need to click "Swap."
6.2: Confirm in Your Wallet
- Your wallet will pop up with transaction details
- Review the transaction one final time
- Click "Confirm" in your wallet
6.3: Track Your Transaction
After confirming:
- Jumper shows a real-time progress tracker
- You can see each step completing (swap → bridge → deliver)
- Click "View on Explorer" to see on-chain details
- You'll receive a notification when complete
6.4: Completion
When your swap completes:
- ✅ Tokens appear in your wallet on the destination chain
- ✅ Transaction marked as "Success" on Jumper
- ✅ You receive a summary with all details
Typical Transaction Times:
- Same chain swaps: 30 seconds - 2 minutes
- Cross-chain bridges: 2-5 minutes
- Complex multi-step routes: 5-10 minutes
Pro Tips for Getting the Best Rates on Jumper Swap
1. Swap During Off-Peak Hours
Gas fees are typically lower during:
- Weekends
- Late night / early morning UTC
- When US markets are closed
2. Use Layer 2 Chains When Possible
Transactions on L2s like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base are typically 10-100x cheaper than Ethereum mainnet.
3. Batch Your Transactions
If making multiple swaps, consider doing them together to save on gas fees.
4. Set Appropriate Slippage
For stablecoins: 0.1-0.5% slippage is usually sufficient. For volatile tokens: 1-3% may be needed during high volatility.
5. Check Multiple Routes
Always review alternative routes. Sometimes a slightly longer route saves significant money.
6. Monitor Gas Prices
Use gas trackers like Etherscan's Gas Tracker to see current network conditions before swapping.
7. Consider Bridge Security
For large amounts, prioritize routes using well-audited bridges even if they cost slightly more.
Common Issues & Solutions
Issue: "Insufficient Gas for Transaction"
Solution: Make sure you have enough native tokens (ETH, MATIC, etc.) in your wallet to cover gas fees. Add more if needed.
Issue: Transaction Stuck as "Pending"
Solution: This usually happens during network congestion. You can:
- Wait for the network to clear (might take 10-30 minutes)
- Speed up the transaction through your wallet (costs extra gas)
- Cancel and retry with higher gas settings
Issue: "Price Impact Too High" Warning
Solution: This means your swap significantly affects the market price. Either:
- Split your swap into smaller transactions
- Wait for better liquidity conditions
- Try a different route/bridge with more liquidity
Issue: Token Not Appearing in Wallet
Solution: You may need to manually add the token to your wallet:
- Find the token contract address on the destination chain
- Go to your wallet's "Import Token" feature
- Paste the contract address
- The token should now be visible
Issue: "Slippage Tolerance Exceeded"
Solution: The price moved too much between quote and execution. Increase slippage tolerance or retry during less volatile market conditions.
Need More Help?
If you encounter other issues:
- Check Jumper Exchange's FAQ section
- Join the Jumper Discord for community support
- Contact support through the help button in the app
Advanced Features for Experienced Users
Custom Slippage Settings
Advanced users can customize slippage tolerance in the settings menu for greater control over trade execution.
Route Customization
Manually select which bridges and DEXs to use by disabling automatic routing and choosing from available options.
Gas Price Control
Set custom gas prices for faster confirmation or lower costs, depending on your time preference.
Transaction History
Access your complete swap history, export for tax purposes, and review past routes for optimization.
API Access
Developers can integrate Jumper Exchange's routing algorithm into their own applications using the Jumper API.
Ready to Execute Your First Jumper Swap?
Now that you know how to use Jumper Exchange, it's time to experience the best rates and fastest cross-chain swaps in DeFi.
Start Swapping on Jumper