Swapping crypto tokens on DEXs is generally straightforward, but can be costly. Swapping charges vary between networks, routes, and exchanges, so finding a suitable route is essential, and that’s where 1inch comes in. The tool helps ensure that you make profitable crypto swaps by providing access to the best swapping rates and routes. In this article, we’ll learn how to use 1inch Swap to swap tokens on MetaMask in a few easy steps.
What is 1inch?
The 1inch Liquidity Protocol is a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator tool that offers seamless token swaps. It scans multiple liquidity sources, including UniSwap, SushiSwap, Curve, and others, to find the best possible swap rates for users.
1inch operates using its Pathfinder algorithm for optimal routing and its innovative Fusion/Fusion+ modes to minimize slippage, provide gasless swaps for users, and offer built-in protection against miner extractable value (MEV). This way, 1inch also acts as a liquidity provider, splitting and routing trades through the most efficient paths.
According to DeFiLlama, 1inch has handled over $230 billion in total trading volume, with a daily volume of $240–350 million. Additionally, 1inch is a multi-chain liquidity aggregator. At the time of writing, it supports 12 major EVM networks (including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, zkSync, and Base).
Loading...
Rank #Token Symbol
-
All-Time High
-
Current Price
-
Market Cap
-
Total Supply
-
What You Need Before You Start
To use 1inch swap to swap tokens on MetaMask, you need access to the MetaMask wallet. Install the mobile app for your Android or iOS device, or set up the MetaMask browser extension for desktop.
Also, remember that token swapping is not free of charge. Hence, ensure your MetaMask wallet is funded with sufficient native gas tokens for your target network. Simply put, you’ll need about 0.03 – 0.04 of the network’s native token, e.g., ETH on Ethereum, BNB on BNB Chain, MATIC on Polygon, etc.
Finally, ensure you are using the official 1inch website when swapping tokens. You can verify this by checking the website address and ensuring you see the secure padlock symbol in your browser. Using the wrong website can lead to scams or losses.
How to Use 1inch to Swap Tokens Using MetaMask
The following step-by-step guides explain how to use 1inch to swap tokens using the MetaMask browser extension and mobile wallet:
Desktop
Step 1: Visit the official 1inch Liquidity Protocol website.
Step 2: Click on the Connect wallet button located at the top right corner of the page. Accept terms and select MetaMask from the list of wallet options.
Step 3: In the pop up tab, confirm the connection to your account on the MetaMask browser extension.
Step 4: On 1inch exchange, select the token you want to swap and specify the amount. Next, choose the coin you want to swap to.
Step 5: You can select the option for maximum output of lower gas fees depending on your preference. 1inch optimizes your swapping experience, providing the best, cost-effective options for both options.
Step 6: Click on the Swap Tokens button to execute the transaction.
Mobile
Step 1: Open the 1inch exchange in a desktop browser, click “Connect Wallet,” and select Wallet Connect.
Step 2: Select the appropriate wallet you have installed on your device. Alternatively, click the scan button and a QR code will appear on the screen if the wallet is on another device.
Step 3: Open your MetaMask mobile wallet and click the QR code scanner in the upper right corner.
Step 4: Scan the QR code from the 1inch website, then confirm the connection on your MetaMask app.
Step 5: In the 1inch Swap interface, select the token you want to swap and specify the one you want to swap into. Review the details and approve the transaction, then proceed to execute the swap.
Troubleshooting Tips
There are several common issues that 1inch users may encounter when attempting to use the 1inch swap to swap tokens on MetaMask. Fortunately, you can easily resolve most of these issues without requiring additional technical knowledge. Here are some troubleshooting techniques to resolve common swapping issues when using 1inch on MetaMask.
Issue 1: Swap completes successfully on-chain, but the token does not appear in your MetaMask wallet.
Solution: Manually add the token to MetaMask using EtherScan, BscScan, or PolyScan, etc. In MetaMask, use Add token → Custom token, then paste the contract address and confirm to add the token to your wallet. You can also use the MetaMask Snap feature to add new tokens, applications, and functionality to your wallet.
Issue 2: Swap fails due to insufficient native token.
Solution: Buy more native tokens and always check your gas balance before initiating swaps. Ensure you hold slightly more than the estimated gas fee. You can also set a custom gas fee by clicking on the Settings icon and using Chi Gastoken to get lower gas fees.
Issue 3: Transaction fails or times out.
Solution: Transaction failures may be due to market price changes or network congestion. If you don’t want your transaction to fail due to price movements, you can increase the rate of price slippage up to 1–3% for volatile or low-liquidity assets.
Issue 4: Unable to access the 1inch website due to geo-restrictions.
Solution: Use a reputable VPN to access 1inch from restricted locations, but note that it may violate the terms of service. If problems persist or you prefer not to use a VPN, consider alternative DEX options, such as Uniswap or PancakeSwap.
Issue 5: MetaMask transaction is stuck in “Pending” status.
Solution: You can try to “Speed Up” the transaction directly in MetaMask by resubmitting it with a higher gas fee. If that doesn’t work, you might need to “Cancel” the transaction (by sending a 0-value transaction to yourself with the same nonce but a higher gas fee). As a last resort, use MetaMask’s “Reset Account” feature in advanced settings (which clears your transaction history but not your funds).
Bottom Line
1inch protocol allows you to optimize your crypto swapping experience and enjoy the best rates on every transaction. When combined with MetaMask, you enjoy access to multiple tokens, features, and safety guaranteed by MetaMask’s security protocols. Simply follow the steps highlighted in this post to use the 1inch Swap to swap tokens on the MetaMask extension or mobile app.
