# How to Swap with CoW Swap (2026)

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**Publisher:** Decentralized Finance Publication
**Difficulty:** Beginner · **Read time:** 7 min read

## Summary

To use CoW Swap: visit swap.cow.fi, connect an Ethereum wallet, select sell and buy tokens, set slippage tolerance, and sign the trade intent (no gas until execution). Solvers compete to fill your order at the best price. You pay gas only if the batch settles successfully.

## Why CoW Swap

Standard DEX swaps broadcast to the public mempool where MEV bots can sandwich them. CoW Swap uses signed intents batched by solvers — sandwich attacks are structurally prevented.

## Step-by-step

### Step 1: Connect wallet

Open swap.cow.fi on Ethereum mainnet. Connect MetaMask or Rabby.

### Step 2: Sign intent

Select tokens and amount. Sign the EIP-712 order — this is not an on-chain transaction yet.

### Step 3: Wait for settlement

Solvers include your order in the next batch. If filled, tokens arrive in your wallet. Unfilled orders expire without gas cost.
## FAQ

**Q: CoW Swap vs Uniswap?**

Uniswap executes immediately on-chain; CoW Swap batches orders with MEV protection — often better for large trades on Ethereum.

**Q: What is surplus?**

If solvers find a better price than your limit, the extra tokens are returned to you as surplus.

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