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 on trades. In contrast to conventional sportsbooks that bake a 5-15% edge into every wager, Polymarket operates with greater clarity around its fee framework — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of all expenses you will face when trading.
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 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 comes from the spread — the distance separating the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In high-volume markets (presidential contests, major cryptocurrency movements), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In lower-volume markets (specialised academic questions, lesser-known electoral scenarios), spreads can widen considerably 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 expense of adding funds to your account fluctuates based on which funding channel you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet pricey
- 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 using the Polygon network. Should you wish to exchange back to traditional currency, your chosen exchange will impose its own withdrawal charge (usually $1-5 as a flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. PolyGram's advantage lies in streamlined account setup — efficient onboarding that bypasses the steep MoonPay fees. Review your transaction history to view precise costs attached to each individual trade. Start trading on PolyGram →