Slippage, price impact and gas
Three different concepts shape execution: the trade moves the pool, the market can move before confirmation and the network charges for computation.
Price impact is the price movement caused by your own trade relative to available liquidity. Slippage is the difference tolerated between the expected and executable result while the transaction is pending. Gas is the network fee for processing computation. They must be reviewed separately to understand the expected net outcome.
The details to check before you decide.
Swap now!| Key point | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Price impact | Caused directly by trade size versus liquidity. | Visible in the expected execution price. |
| Slippage | Tolerance for change before execution. | Too low may fail; too high accepts a wider result. |
| Gas | Paid for network computation. | Depends on complexity and network demand. |
| Minimum received | Output floor implied by the tolerance. | Review this number before signing. |
Impact comes from size
Compare the order with usable liquidity.
Slippage is a boundary
It controls acceptable change before execution.
Gas is separate
Network computation affects the net outcome.
Price impact starts inside the pool
Your order changes pool reserves and therefore the execution price. A larger trade relative to the available depth normally creates greater impact. Splitting a trade or using a deeper route may change the result, but also changes timing and gas.
Slippage covers movement after the quote
A quote is calculated before the transaction reaches the execution point. Slippage tolerance defines how much deterioration is acceptable. If the executable result falls outside that boundary, a well-designed swap reverts rather than accepting an unlimited change.
Gas pays the network
Gas measures the computational work required by a transaction. The final fee reflects gas used and the price per unit under current network conditions. The native asset is normally required, even when the tokens being swapped are stablecoins.
Why failed transactions can still cost gas
Validators still execute enough computation to determine that a transaction must revert. The token swap does not complete, but the work performed is charged. Simulation and suitable limits reduce some failure modes but cannot remove all on-chain uncertainty.
A pre-signing cost checklist
Check expected output, minimum received, price impact, gas estimate, any protocol or interface fee, token approval and route. Compare alternatives using the same input amount and a similar moment; otherwise a side-by-side result can be misleading.
Where Latin Link fits
Latin Link is a non-custodial liquidity aggregator interface, not a wallet and not a custodian. You connect a compatible self-custody wallet and authorize transactions there. Latin Link uses OpenOcean routing to consider eligible liquidity sources; the displayed route is a time-sensitive estimate, not a guarantee of the best possible execution.
Common questions about this topic.
Swap now!Is price impact a fee?
No. It is a change in execution price caused by the trade interacting with available liquidity.
Should I set slippage as high as possible?
No. A wider tolerance may reduce reverts but accepts a worse execution range and can increase exposure to adverse execution.
Who receives gas fees?
Gas is part of the blockchain's transaction-fee mechanism, not simply a fee charged by the swap interface.
Why does gas change?
Network demand, fee-market conditions and the computational complexity of the chosen route all affect it.
Is Latin Link a wallet?
No. Latin Link is a non-custodial liquidity aggregator interface. A compatible external wallet manages your keys and signs the transaction.
Sources reviewed
Limitations
This guide is educational and is not financial, investment, legal or tax advice. Tokens, smart contracts, approvals, wallets and blockchain networks involve risks, including irreversible loss. Verify current product support and transaction details before signing.
Ready to review a live route?
Open the swap and review the network, tokens, amount and slippage. When shown, compare the route, costs and minimum received; confirm everything in your wallet before signing.