# How to delegate

### Introduction: X-Chain and P-Chain

The[ **X-Chain**](https://docs.avascan.info/how-to-use-avascan/x-chain) acts as a decentralized platform for creating and trading smart digital assets. (Think X for eXchanging *assets*). Another chain inherent to the Avalanche network is the **P-Chain**, which manages metadata about the Avalanche network. (P stands for *platform*).

As an AVAX presale participant, you will receive your tokens in your P address (90% of option A1 or option A2) and/or X-Chain address (Option B and 10% of yout tokens if you purchased option A1 or A2).

An **X address** is an address created on X-Chain, the main asset chain on the Avalanche network. Tokens held in X addresses are liquid, meaning that they can be freely transferred to other X addresses and to P addresses.

**P addresses** are addresses created on P-Chain, the platform chain on the Avalanche network. Tokens held in P addresses may be illiquid, meaning that you may not be able to move those tokens freely to your X address. You also cannot move your tokens from one P address to another directly, but you need to transfer the tokens to an X address first.

AVAX held in P addresses may be **vested (locked)** (from the genesis allocation on mainnet) or **staked** (via validation with a full node, or delegation).

This guide will help you get through the delegation of your AVAX tokens to a validator, helping you choose which is best for you.

### Access your web wallet

The first step is to, obviously, access your AVAX Wallet. You can access it from [here](https://wallet.avax.network). If you haven't created one already, you can follow the step-by-step creation by clicking on the **'CREATE NEW WALLET'** button.

### Transfer to P

{% hint style="info" %}
Most users have received 90% of AVAX purchased in the P address. if you're one of them and you want to only delegate your **locked** AVAX, you can simply skip this step. If you also want to delegate your unlocked AVAX, you can proceed here to transfer them to P as well.
{% endhint %}

![AVAX Wallet Dashboard](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWgWWRxDhSBgT1oaWO%2F1_Click_Earn.png?alt=media\&token=0a4e6b7e-167d-47a9-aa81-2ddc51753d46)

To stake AVAX (by validating with your node or delegating another node in your place), you need to first transfer the amount of AVAX you want to stake to P-Chain.

Click **'Earn'** on the right sidebar, and then click the **'TRANSFER'** button.

![AVAX Wallet Earn page](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWgemBI5IjX4KYVVTX%2F2_Click_Transfer.png?alt=media\&token=1f3b0438-aacd-4fee-b408-707fc8a3d191)

Make sure you transfer the amount you want to stake **plus 0.001 AVAX**, that is the fee that you will pay to do the transfer between the chains. Click again on **'TRANSFER'** to confirm. And keep in mind that the minimum amount to[ stake](https://docs.avascan.info/how-to-use-avascan/staking) in delegation is 25 AVAX, so make sure you transfer *at least* **25.001 AVAX** from X to P.

![AVAX Wallet Cross Chain Transfer page](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWgnvySsKDOB3Qr8ol%2F3_Click_Transfer_Confirm.png?alt=media\&token=f8d665ff-4720-4802-a6a4-da6a023bea8e)

### Add delegation to a validator

Now that you have your AVAX in your P-Chain address, you're ready to stake by delegating!

Return to the 'Earn' page, then click on **'ADD DELEGATOR'**.

![AVAX Wallet Earn page](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWh5dXRA6kpmB_LGyb%2F4_Add_Delegator.png?alt=media\&token=91bfcdd1-b40e-4bfe-8b6a-55724aff52e6)

You will be presented with a list of validators ordered by the total amount staked.

![AVAX Wallet Delegate page](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWhHVroMfWE8sz0VeB%2F5_Nodes_List.png?alt=media\&token=9752d6d7-24e9-43af-b89f-bbd97cd1be71)

### Select your validator

Once you've [chosen your validator,](https://docs.avascan.info/guide-delegation-avalanche-network/choose-validator-node-avalanche) you can then **'SELECT'** it.

![AVAX Wallet Delega page - Select Node](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWhXOpzH6WeBHB5hca%2F6_Select_Node.png?alt=media\&token=f50ee1dd-d428-421e-b29c-b6b50a1a6d45)

You're then presented with the delegate page. You can choose the **staking period** (remember: you cannot stake longer that your validator's), the **amount** that you want to delegate in stake and specify the **reward address**, if you don't want to receive rewards on the same address from which you're staking.

![AVAX Wallet Delegate page - Confirm Delegation](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWhelGH0DAvxN3-2CK%2F7_Confirm_Delegaion.png?alt=media\&token=00d6ca58-a7b5-4977-8a16-91f0420a47e2)

When you've entered all the information, you can just press **'CONFIRM'** to confirm the data you input, and then **'SUBMIT'** to confirm the delegation.

![AVAX Wallet Delegate page - Submit Delegation](https://3320892846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MDFMOQjPzpT25LWjCB8%2F-MHWg-oefjt5t1Y1D3nw%2F-MHWhu8Gf9hl0ayBCxmv%2F8_Submit_Delegation.png?alt=media\&token=5bfb333d-adf7-4b58-b3a6-c6975156bd88)

You're all set, now *you're delegating*!

### Get support

If you want to get continued support and want to know more about delegating and validating on the Avalanche network, join our [Telegram chat](https://t.me/AvascanExplorer).