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 full cost structure of Polymarket fees is vital for evaluating your net returns on positions. Unlike conventional betting operators who conceal a 5-15% margin within every wager, Polymarket presents a more granular fee breakdown — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of all charges you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your costs hinge on whether you supply or consume liquidity:
- 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
The genuine expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between highest purchase and lowest sale prices available. In heavily-traded outcome markets (presidential races, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In thinly-traded venues (specialist science forecasts, minor political scenarios), spreads can widen substantially 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 amount you spend to establish your account balance fluctuates based on your chosen funding route:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, usually below $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute settlement
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC from Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs zero charge when using the Polygon network. Should you elect to return funds to conventional currency, your bank or exchange will levy a withdrawal charge (ordinarily $1-5 flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, so trading spreads mirror the platform exactly. The advantage PolyGram delivers is smoother account setup — optimised onboarding that sidesteps the expensive MoonPay premium. Review your transaction history to monitor precise charges on all your transactions. Start trading on PolyGram →