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 when working out your net returns from trading activity. In contrast to conventional betting operators who bake a 5-15% margin directly into odds, Polymarket operates with greater cost transparency — though it is not cost-free. 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 obligation shifts based on your role as either maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders that supply liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders that consume liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee via spread
- Reward tokens: Prolific makers can accumulate MATIC rewards through Polymarket's liquidity incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
Your actual cost when transacting on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price available. On heavily traded outcome markets (presidential contests, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. On thinly traded markets (specialist research questions, minor geopolitical scenarios), spreads can widen dramatically 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% — quick but pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, usually less than $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute settlement period
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your own wallet incurs no charge when using the Polygon network. Should you wish to liquidate back to traditional currency, your exchange will impose its own withdrawal charge (normally $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain consistent. The advantage PolyGram delivers is in account setup — simplified funding mechanisms that bypass the steep MoonPay costs. Review your transaction history to monitor precise costs on individual positions. Start trading on PolyGram →