---
description: >-
  Delegating your stake in Cardano is easy and rewards you for securing the
  network.
---

# 5. Delegating your ADA

{% hint style="info" %}
When you delegate your funds, these remain in your **full control**. Cardano also has **no lock-in** period.
{% endhint %}

## Delegating to a Stake Pool&#x20;

Now that you've [created your wallet](choosing-a-wallet-app) and [funded it](sending-ada-to-your-personal-wallet), you want to consider delegating to a Stake Pool.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Your first delegation will incur a (refundable) **delegation fee**. Should you delegate your funds to a different pool, your operation will only incur a **small transaction fee** (non refundable).
{% endhint %}

There is no valid reason not to delegate your stake to a Pool and it can be done by following the steps below. If you would like to know more about Staking on Cardano, please refer to the original post by [Prof. Aggelos Kiayias, Chief Scientist for Cardano](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2020/11/13/the-general-perspective-on-staking-in-cardano/).

{% hint style="info" %}
Some [exchanges](choosing-an-exchange) offer Cardano staking services. It is always best to transfer your funds off exchanges and delegate to a Stake Pool instead. Learn why [here](further-reading/exchange-vs-spo-staking).
{% endhint %}

## Choosing a Stake Pool

Making recommendations about individual Stake Pools is not the scope of this guide. There are some excellent tips in [Selecting a Pool for your Delegation](https://cardano-community.github.io/support-faq/select-pool-to-delegate/).

{% hint style="warning" %}
Do your own research!
{% endhint %}

You can also check out these [Stake Pool Alliances](further-reading/some-links-of-interest) if you wish.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
Use [Explorers](further-reading/some-links-of-interest) to monitor the **performance of your stake pool of choice**: if a pool does not mint any new blocks in an Epoch, neither you nor the stake pool operator will earn rewards.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

## Delegating from Daedalus

Navigate to (1) the Delegation Centre and choose (2) Stake Pools:

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2F-MWXn7U0Ksa7wxWw7_t0%2F-MWXofPpug2lq-1xyPIR%2Fdaedalus_deleg.png?alt=media\&token=6f0f478c-ce2a-4807-9865-4f0b01994d78)

Search for the pool you wish to delegate to and select "**Delegate to this pool**":

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2F202frXDtxmaQXyHW5Uro%2Fdaedalus_deleg_rabit_anonymised.png?alt=media\&token=4458e294-e212-48f6-938b-39846afd1767)

In the following dialogue, **select the wallet** to delegate from:

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2F-MWYiRLBIeFr8u6pu5bP%2F-MWYnf84tOuB3ldKsxDc%2Fdaedalus_choose_deleg_wallet.PNG?alt=media\&token=a0235b6a-42dc-4ff2-b8bc-64122b8724f7)

You will now be prompted to enter your **spending password** to confirm delegation preferences:

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2FX8QLoOWtT17Z1zwbJUyc%2Fdaedalus_deleg_confirm_anonymised.png?alt=media\&token=2205b28c-e8b1-46f6-99b5-a97f6c6eba02)

{% hint style="warning" %}
It is recommended to **change your spending password every time you use it**.
{% endhint %}

Once **delegation is successful** you should see this dialogue box:

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2Frqv3NQwzF9cd04xYpeOt%2Fdaedalus_deleg_success_anonymised.PNG?alt=media\&token=70f02729-c48e-4c63-aa9f-9cc7ccce653b)



## Delegating from Yoroi

From the "**Delegation List**" tab, 1) **search** for your selected **stake pool** and 2) click "**DELEGATE**":&#x20;

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2FVDYD7ujtqbyn8WQ3bo7Q%2Fyoroi_delegate_01_anonymised.png?alt=media\&token=e2f2fa7f-2007-4181-aa74-223cb80c224b)

Nex&#x74;**, confirm the transaction**. You will be asked to **enter your spending password**:

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2F-MX5OaBRHO126lBrnwKY%2F-MX5RjL1tZ5lPTLtOnPY%2Fyoroi_delegate_02.png?alt=media\&token=7023094c-663c-4639-a4c9-d08d15459ff6)

{% hint style="warning" %}
We recommend changing your spending password each time you use it.
{% endhint %}

Once **delegation is successful** you should see this dialogue box:

![](https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2F-MX5OaBRHO126lBrnwKY%2F-MX5TM3Y2His4h5QDKAN%2Fyoroi_delegate_03.PNG?alt=media\&token=359d6e52-2c74-4404-9c82-df77a019d358)

## Delegating from Eternl

{% hint style="info" %}
The pools in the images below are intentionally deleted. Your staking page will look slightly different.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Click on **Staking** from your Wallet's pag&#x65;**:**

<figure><img src="https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2FAEPvCzUB0BMTi2hB71Ow%2Feternl_deleg01.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=52eb28d5-70da-4caa-932b-180843af3df4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Type the **name or ticker of the pool** you wish to delegate to:

<div><figure><img src="https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2FXRQsz3zobkpbvkWpCBN1%2Feternl_deleg02.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=07e9f858-c048-40b0-9e6c-ca6f597d8b9d" alt=""><figcaption><p>Type the name of your pool of choice</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2FWkTFSCwmuEXjbCfCkw5z%2Feternl_deleg03.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=4206cb26-fecc-450f-8256-7f96b6ffb34e" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click the Delegate button</p></figcaption></figure></div>

In the dialogue that follows, enter your **spending password** and click **Sign**:

<figure><img src="https://2459642694-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MUpFgjH1Y6J1qqu_j4p%2Fuploads%2FXi0VrGoRb1SnjrVGAiXn%2Feternl_deleg04.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=dc403fc3-25ff-4033-913d-67e600203f40" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
Back on your wallet's main page (**Account > Summary**), you'll see the **updated balance** (after fees and deposit of the stake key) and your **pool preference**.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

## Congratulations!

Your ADA is now delegated to a stake pool :clap: : you are **actively securing Cardano**, while **earning ADA rewards**!

{% hint style="success" %}
**Success!** Now that your wallet is delegated to a pool, you will start accruing rewards. The funds are still in your **full control**: you can spend them, transfer them, delegate them to a different pool.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
All changes in Cardano take 2 epochs to take effect (delegation, reward distribution, etc). More on this topic on [Cardanians' Medium](https://cardanians-io.medium.com/cardano-staking-practical-information-3c86cbc73bd4).
{% endhint %}
