What Is Slippage in Crypto?

Slippage is the difference between the exchange result you expect and the result the market can execute. It can happen when prices move, available liquidity changes, or a trade is large relative to the route being used.

A quote should make this risk understandable before you send funds. The most useful figures are the expected receive amount, the minimum received amount, and the time at which the quote expires.

Why slippage happens

Crypto markets continue moving while a transaction is being confirmed. Cross-chain swaps also coordinate activity on more than one network, so a quote can remain exposed to changing market and liquidity conditions while the source transaction is confirmed.

Trade size matters as well. A route with enough liquidity for a small swap may move through several price levels for a larger swap, producing a different average execution price.

Fast price movement can change the available exchange result.
Limited route liquidity can increase price impact for larger swaps.
Blockchain confirmation time can lengthen the interval between quote and execution.

Expected amount versus minimum received

Expected receive is the route's current estimate. Minimum received is the lower boundary permitted by the quote's slippage setting. If execution would fall below that boundary, the route should not silently complete at an unrestricted result.

These values are quote-specific and should never be copied from a static article. Review the current values in the swap interface immediately before continuing.

How to review slippage safely

Confirm the exact source and destination networks, compare expected receive with minimum received, and check that the quote is still current. If the difference is larger than you are comfortable with, do not deposit funds; request a fresh quote or use a smaller amount.

A very permissive slippage setting is not automatically better. It can make execution more likely, but it also accepts a wider range of outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

Is slippage the same as a network cost?

No. Slippage describes a change in the exchange outcome caused by price movement, route liquidity, or price impact. Blockchain network costs are a separate part of moving and settling transactions.

Can a quote guarantee an exact receive amount?

A quote can define an expected amount and a minimum received amount, but execution still depends on the quoted conditions, expiry, deposit accuracy, liquidity, and blockchain confirmation.