THORChain’s Outbound Multiplier Changes Swap Payouts

THORChain’s outbound fee multiplier changes a swap payout in three ways: it scales destination-chain gas, responds to fee balances and reduces the amount delivered. The fee is taken from the swap output to pay for the network’s transaction and operating costs.

How does the multiplier change the fee?

THORChain calculates the outbound fee from the destination chain’s estimated transaction size and gas rate, then applies the Outbound Fee Multiplier (OFM). A higher multiplier means a larger fee and a smaller payout, all else equal.

The fee covers more than the gas nodes spend to send the transaction. The additional amount contributes to a reserve that helps cover changes in network costs.

Why does the destination chain matter?

Each destination chain has its own gas rate and transaction size, so the same swap output can face a different outbound fee on a different route. The fee is priced in the chain’s gas asset; when the payout is another token, the fee’s value is converted into that token and deducted from the output.

For a route affected by congestion, timing can change the gas estimate and the amount left to receive; the thor swap guide explains that timing trade-off in more detail.

What makes the multiplier rise or fall?

THORChain tracks outbound fees collected against what nodes spend, with a surplus measured for each asset. When that surplus is below its target, the multiplier rises; when it is above target, the multiplier falls toward its lower bound.

• Higher destination gas raises the fee estimate.
• A higher OFM scales that estimate up.
• The resulting fee is deducted from the amount delivered.

Before swapping, compare the quoted output with the route’s displayed outbound fee and check the destination-chain rate again if conditions change. The multiplier affects the delivery cost; it does not determine the swap’s liquidity fee or any affiliate fee.