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 true cost structure of Polymarket fees is vital for assessing your net returns from trading activity. In contrast to conventional sportsbooks that disguise a 5-15% margin within every wager, Polymarket operates with greater cost visibility — though it is not entirely cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of all expenses you should anticipate.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligations shift 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 earn MATIC rewards through Polymarket's liquidity incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The principal expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential separating bid and ask prices at any moment. In high-volume markets (presidential contests, major digital asset movements), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In low-volume markets (specialist research questions, fringe electoral scenarios), spreads can expand significantly 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
Funding your account carries varying expenses based on which method you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet costly
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, usually below $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute processing window
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when using the Polygon network. Should you wish to liquidate back to traditional currency, your chosen exchange will levy a withdrawal charge (ordinarily $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same across both platforms. Where PolyGram delivers cost savings is during account setup — simplified funding pathways without the expensive MoonPay fees. Review your transaction history to monitor precise costs attached to individual trades. Start trading on PolyGram →