When you’re staking ARIO tokens, one of the first things you’ll probably ask is, “How much can I earn?” 

That’s where Delegate Effective Annual Yield (EAY) comes in as seen on the network portal under the staking tab.

It gives you a rough estimate of your staking returns over a year—but the key word here is estimate.

Delegate EAY isn’t a fixed number, and it doesn’t work like fixed interest in a bank account. It changes based on network conditions, the gateway you choose, and how rewards are distributed. So while it’s useful for getting a general sense of returns, it’s important to understand what affects it and how to use it as part of a bigger staking strategy.

1. What is Delegate EAY? (And Why It’s an Estimate)

Delegate EAY is the estimated yield ratio determined by projecting current staking rewards over the course of a year.

You will see what each gateways Delegate EAY is when you are looking at the list of gateways in the AR.IO network under the staking tab.

The formula looks like this:

📌 EAY = (Rewards Shared Per Epoch / Total Delegated Stake) × Epochs Per Year

In simple terms, it tells you how much you could earn if everything stayed the same for a full year. But things don’t always stay the same—staking participation shifts, gateways adjust how they distribute rewards, and the network itself evolves.

A quick note on epochs:

An epoch is just a reward cycle—think of it like a daily payout for stakers. On the AR.IO network, there are approximately 365 epochs per year, meaning rewards are calculated once per day.

2. How to Calculate Your Delegate EAY

Let’s go through an example using the formula:

• Gateway rewards shared per epoch: 100 ARIO

• Total delegated stake: 50,000 ARIO

• Epochs per year: 365
  
  

📌 EAY = (100 / 50,000) × 365
📌 EAY = 0.002 × 365 = 0.73 (or 73%)

💡 What this means:

• If you delegate 10,000 ARIO, your estimated return would be 7,300 ARIO over a year under current conditions.

• This number can change if:
  
  

  • More people delegate (reducing individual rewards).

  • The gateway increases its shared rewards (boosting EAY).

So, while it’s a useful metric, it’s not something you should rely on 100%.

3. Choosing the Right Gateway: Delegate EAY is Just One Factor

A high EAY might look tempting, but it’s not the only thing to consider when picking a gateway. Here’s what else matters:

✅ Performance & Uptime

• A gateway with 99.9% performance earns rewards consistently.

• Frequent downtime = lower earnings and possible penalties.

✅ Reputation & Transparency

• Are other delegators satisfied with their rewards?

• Does the gateway provide clear updates on performance and earnings?

✅ Stake Distribution

• Highly staked gateways are more stable but might dilute individual rewards.

• Lower-staked gateways offer higher potential yields but could be riskier.

✅ Fees & Policies

• Some gateways charge delegation fees, which impact your final earnings.

• Others may offer incentives for long-term staking.

There’s no single “best” gateway—it all depends on your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Example Decision Point:

Let’s say you have 5,000 ARIO to stake. You’re looking at two gateways:

1. Gateway A: Large, well-established, low risk, but offers a 15% EAY.

2. Gateway B: Newer, higher potential yield (30% EAY), but less proven.

If you’re risk-averse, you might go with Gateway A. If you’re willing to take a chance for higher returns, you could stake with Gateway B. Or, you could split your stake—maybe 3,000 ARIO to Gateway A for stability and 2,000 to Gateway B for potential upside.

4. Monitoring & Adjusting Your Stake

Since EAY is always shifting, it’s worth keeping an eye on your stake.

🔹 Check your EAY periodically—if your chosen gateway starts underperforming, consider moving your stake