In this guide
Key takeaway: Polymarket charges no explicit trading fee on most trades, but you pay through the bid-ask spread (typically 1-3 cents). Deposits via MoonPay cost 3.5-5%, while crypto deposits cost only gas fees (~$0.01 on Polygon). Withdrawals are free.
Grasping the full cost structure of Polymarket fees is vital when assessing your net returns on trades. In contrast to conventional betting operators who conceal a 5-15% margin within every wager, Polymarket presents a more transparent fee arrangement — though it is not costless. Below is a comprehensive overview of every expense you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book mechanism (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligations vary depending on whether you function as a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders that add liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders that remove liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee via spread
- Reward tokens: Active makers can earn MATIC rewards through Polymarket's market-making incentive programme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The principal expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price available. On highly-traded markets (presidential contests, significant blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. On less-active markets (specialised research questions, uncommon geopolitical scenarios), spreads can expand to 5-10 cents.
| Market type | Typical spread | Effective cost |
| US elections | 1-2 cents | 1-2% |
| Major crypto | 2-3 cents | 2-3% |
| Sports events | 3-5 cents | 3-5% |
| Niche markets | 5-10+ cents | 5-10%+ |
Deposit costs
The amount you incur to establish your account balance varies based on your chosen funding channel:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet costly
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, typically under $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute wait
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when utilising the Polygon network. Should you wish to convert back to traditional currency, your chosen platform's withdrawal charges will apply (usually $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram connects to the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. PolyGram's advantage lies in streamlined account verification and onboarding — eliminating the steep MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history to monitor exact costs on each position. Start trading on PolyGram →