To swap tokens on BNB Chain, open a self custody wallet such as MetaMask or Trust Wallet, fund it with BNB for gas, connect to PancakeSwap or KyberSwap from a bookmarked link, choose your two tokens, set slippage to around 0.5 percent, approve the token if prompted and confirm. A swap costs a few cents, and you can verify the result on BscScan.
What you need
| Item | For this chain |
|---|---|
| Wallet | MetaMask or Trust Wallet |
| Exchange | PancakeSwap or KyberSwap |
| Gas token | BNB, and you need some even to move other tokens |
| Explorer | BscScan |
| Typical cost | A few cents |
Getting funds onto BNB Chain
Withdraw BNB from an exchange choosing the BNB Smart Chain network. BNB pays gas here.
Send a small test amount first, confirm it arrives, then send the rest. Every time, on every chain, forever.
The swap, step by step
Open the exchange from a bookmark
Go to PancakeSwap or KyberSwap by typing the address or using a saved bookmark. Never through a search ad or a link someone sent you. Fake front ends are pixel perfect and they exist for every major DEX.
Connect your wallet
Click connect and approve in MetaMask. This lets the site see your address and propose transactions. It does not by itself let it move anything.
Make sure you are on BNB Chain
Your wallet shows the active network. If it is wrong, switch it or let the site prompt you. On the wrong network your balance will show as zero and you will assume something is broken.
Choose your tokens and amount
Pick what you are giving and what you want. The interface shows the expected output, the price impact and the route. Read the price impact figure, not just the fee.
Set slippage
0.1 to 0.5 percent for major pairs. If a token requires 10 percent or more to go through, treat that as information about the token rather than a setting to raise.
Approve the token if prompted
The first time you trade a given token here, you grant permission for the contract to move it. Approve the exact amount rather than unlimited if the interface offers the choice.
Confirm the swap
Read the wallet popup. Check the amounts and that the contract matches the site you are on. Then confirm. It settles in seconds and costs a few cents.
Verify on the explorer
Open BscScan and paste the transaction hash. Confirm the tokens moved as you expected. Do this every time until it feels routine.
If something goes wrong
| Problem | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction fails | Slippage exceeded, or gas ran out mid execution | Retry with slightly higher slippage, or wait for calmer conditions |
| Balance shows zero | You are on the wrong network | Switch networks in the wallet |
| Insufficient gas | You have tokens but no BNB | Send a small amount of BNB to the wallet |
| Stuck pending | Fee too low for current demand | Use speed up in your wallet, or cancel and resubmit |
| Received less than quoted | Price moved, or price impact was higher than you noticed | Check the transaction on the explorer to see exactly where it went |
Doing it cheaper
- Trade major pairs where liquidity is deepest, so price impact stays near zero.
- Use an aggregator when one is available, since it splits your order across venues.
- Break large trades into smaller pieces if price impact is above about one percent.
- On expensive chains, transact when the network is quiet rather than during a rush.
Common questions
How much does a swap cost on BNB Chain?
A few cents, plus the pool fee which is typically a fraction of a percent. On this chain the pool fee is usually the larger of the two.
Which wallet should I use on BNB Chain?
MetaMask or Trust Wallet. See wallets by chain for the full comparison.
Do I need to verify my identity?
No. A decentralized exchange has no accounts and no identity checks. Tax obligations on your trades still apply.
What if I send to the wrong address?
It is gone. There is no reversal and no support. This is exactly why we recommend a small test transaction every single time.
Where to go next
Want to do this on BNB Chain together?
One session, screen shared, and you will have completed a real swap with someone watching who has done it a thousand times.