CoW Swap
Live preview — open the official CoW Swap app from your own wallet.
Built on CoW ProtocolIntent-based ordersMarket, limit, TWAP
What is CoW Swap?
CoW Swap is the first interface built on top of CoW Protocol and a reference implementation for its intent-based trading UX. Verify that role in the official CoW Protocol docs before launching the app.
CoW Swap at a glance
CategoryIntent-based DEX aggregator
NetworkEthereum and EVM-compatible chains
TokenCOW
CustodyNon-custodial order signing
Official appswap.cow.fi
CoW Swap fees and solver execution
CoW Swap fees are tied to CoW Protocol's intent and solver model rather than a simple pool fee selected by the user. A user signs an order, and solvers compete to settle it through on-chain liquidity, private inventory or coincidence-of-wants matches. The user should evaluate the final quote, surplus, expiry, gas treatment and any app-displayed fee before signing. CoW Swap is especially relevant for searches around MEV-aware trading because orders are batch-auctioned and settled by solvers instead of being pushed directly through a public mempool swap path.
CoW Swap MEV protection
CoW Swap is built on CoW Protocol, which emphasizes MEV protection by letting users sign trade intents and having solvers compete to execute them. The official benefits docs describe MEV protection and price improvement as core protocol benefits. In practice, that means users are not manually selecting one liquidity pool; they are asking the protocol to find acceptable execution for a signed order. This model can reduce exposure to sandwich attacks, but users still need to check token approvals, order expiry, sell amount, buy amount and the final quote shown by the interface.
CoW Swap limit orders and TWAP orders
CoW Swap supports more than basic market swaps. The official CoW Swap docs list market orders, cross-chain swaps, limit orders, TWAP orders, native token flows and custom links in the tutorial section. A limit order lets the user define a target price or minimum outcome, while a TWAP splits execution over time. These order types are useful for users searching for better execution control, but they require closer review of expiry, partial-fill behavior, sell token, buy token and chain support before signing an intent.
CoW Swap supported wallets
CoW Swap supports common Web3 wallet paths rather than a single required wallet. The official docs mention injected wallets such as MetaMask and Rabby, multisig wallets such as Safe, WalletConnect v2 compatible mobile wallets and hardware wallet paths through supported integrations. Smart contract wallets matter because CoW orders rely on signatures, including EIP-712 and ERC-1271 style flows. Before trading, verify the wallet is connected to the intended chain and that the signing prompt matches the order details shown in the app.
How to swap CoW Swap
- Open the verified appUse swap.cow.fi and check the domain before connecting a wallet.
- Connect your walletChoose an injected wallet, Safe, WalletConnect-compatible mobile wallet, or supported hardware wallet path.
- Set the orderPick the network, sell token, buy token, amount, and order type such as swap, limit, or TWAP.
- Review and signCheck output, expiry, slippage, and approval prompts, then sign the intent from your wallet.
Ready to swap?
Open the official CoW Swap app and verify the domain before you sign.
CoW Swap vs Uniswap
| Dimension | CoW Swap | Uniswap |
|---|---|---|
| Execution model | Signed intents settled by competing solvers | Direct AMM swaps through liquidity pools |
| MEV handling | Designed around batch auctions and MEV protection | Depends on route, wallet settings and transaction path |
| Order types | Market, limit and TWAP-style flows | Mostly swap and LP flows in the core app |
| Best fit | MEV-aware or route-sensitive trades | Direct pool liquidity and broad token access |
CoW Swap FAQ
What is CoW Swap?
CoW Swap is the first trading interface built on top of CoW Protocol. Users sign trade intents, and solvers compete to execute those intents through available liquidity. It is not just a pool swap interface; the protocol can settle orders through batch auctions, coincidence-of-wants matching and external liquidity routes when they satisfy the user's order constraints.
What does COW token do?
COW is the governance token associated with CoW Protocol and CoW DAO. Token details, markets and contract references should be checked through official CoW resources and established market-data pages such as CoinGecko before taking action. Holding or trading COW is separate from using CoW Swap to sign a token swap order.
Is CoW Swap cheaper than Uniswap?
CoW Swap can be cheaper for some orders, especially when solver competition, batch settlement or price improvement produces a better net outcome. It is not guaranteed to be cheaper for every token pair or amount. Compare the exact quoted received amount, any app-displayed fees, gas assumptions, slippage and approval requirements against Uniswap or another DEX before signing.
Does CoW Swap require ETH for gas?
Gas handling depends on the chain, order type and current interface behavior. Users may still need the native gas token for approvals or transactions, even though CoW Protocol's solver model can change how settlement costs are handled. The safe habit is to keep enough native gas token for approvals, cancellations or wallet actions on the network you are using.
Can CoW Swap use Safe wallets?
Yes. CoW Swap documentation lists multisig wallets such as Safe among supported wallet options. That matters for DAO treasuries and teams because orders can be signed through smart contract wallet flows. Safe users should still check the app domain, chain, order data, signers, expiry and token approvals before executing a trade.
Why is it called CoW Swap?
The name comes from coincidence of wants, where two or more users' intents can be matched directly when their desired trades offset each other. CoW Protocol also uses solver competition and external liquidity, so not every order is matched peer-to-peer. The key idea is that users express outcomes and solvers compete to produce valid settlement.