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 Polymarket fee landscape is crucial for assessing your net trading returns. In contrast to conventional betting platforms that embed a 5-15% margin into every wager, Polymarket's pricing structure offers greater transparency — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of all expenses you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book mechanism (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligation shifts based on your role as a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders supplying liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders consuming liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee via spread
- Reward tokens: Prolific makers can accumulate MATIC rewards via Polymarket's liquidity provider incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
Your true trading expense on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In highly-traded markets (presidential races, significant blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In thinly-traded markets (specialised research questions, rare 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
Your funding expenses vary based on which deposit pathway you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, usually under $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute settlement period
Withdrawal costs
Extracting USDC from Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge on the Polygon network. Should you wish to reconvert to conventional currency, your chosen exchange will levy a withdrawal charge (customarily $1-5 flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. Where PolyGram delivers value is during account setup — simplified onboarding that bypasses expensive MoonPay charges. Review your transaction history for granular fee breakdowns on all your positions. Start trading on PolyGram →