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 determining your genuine trading returns. In contrast to conventional betting operators that hide a 5-15% margin inside every wager, Polymarket operates with greater clarity — though costs are not absent. Below is a comprehensive guide to every expense involved.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates through an order book structure (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligation shifts based on your role as either 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 collect MATIC rewards via Polymarket's liquidity provider incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
Your primary expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In high-volume markets (presidential races, major digital asset announcements), spreads stay narrow: 1-2 cents. In low-volume markets (specialist 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
Your funding expenses fluctuate 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 processing window
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC from Polymarket into your personal wallet incurs no charge on the Polygon chain. Should you wish to exchange back into standard 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 consistent. Where PolyGram delivers value is during account setup — efficient onboarding without the steep MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history for precise fee breakdowns on each transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →