In this guide
What Are Polymarket's Fees in 2026?
Polymarket imposes zero platform trading fees. Your only expenses come from Polygon gas costs (usually below $0.01 per trade) and currency conversion charges if you need to swap USDC for GBP. This positions Polymarket amongst the most cost-effective prediction markets for traders based in the UK.
Trading Fees: Zero
In contrast to conventional bookmakers that embed a margin (overround) into each market, Polymarket operates via an AMM-style order book where spreads are determined by those providing liquidity. Polymarket itself does not levy any direct "vig" charge. You encounter the spread indirectly, and this tightens as markets draw additional liquidity.
Gas Fees on Polygon
Every transaction on Polymarket executes via the Polygon PoS blockchain, where gas must be paid in MATIC and generally runs from $0.001 to $0.02 per transaction independent of stake amount. This represents a substantial saving relative to Ethereum's main chain.
- Opening a position: ~$0.003–0.01
- Closing a position or claiming winnings: ~$0.003–0.01
- Moving USDC off-platform: ~$0.005–0.02
- Cross-chain transfer (Polygon → Ethereum): $5–20 (best avoided unless critical)
Deposit Fees
Sending USDC directly onto Polygon carries no charge from Polymarket's end. However, your bank or exchange may deduct a fee when transferring USDC to the Polygon network. Coinbase typically charges ~$0.01–1 based on current network demand. Opting for the Polygon-native USDC token keeps your expenses down.
Currency Conversion Costs (GBP ↔ USDC)
For UK-based participants, this represents the most significant fee consideration. A full cycle of conversion (GBP → USDC → GBP) through an established exchange normally incurs 0.5–1.5% in total costs, factoring in the bid-ask spread.