Key takeaway: Polymarket does not impose direct trading charges on the majority of transactions, though you effectively pay through the bid-ask spread (normally 1-3 cents). Funding via MoonPay carries a 3.5-5% surcharge, whereas cryptocurrency deposits incur only network fees (~$0.01 on Polygon). Withdrawals carry no cost.
Grasping the full picture of Polymarket fees is vital for assessing your genuine trading returns. In contrast to conventional betting operators who bake a 5-15% margin into each wager, Polymarket presents a more open fee arrangement — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of every expense you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates using an order book framework (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligations shift depending on whether you function as a 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: Participating makers can accumulate MATIC rewards through Polymarket's liquidity provider incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The genuine expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price available. In highly liquid markets (presidential contests, significant blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In less liquid markets (specialised research questions, uncommon geopolitical scenarios), spreads can expand 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 method:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): network fee only, usually below $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH network costs, plus 10-30 minute processing duration
Withdrawal costs
Transferring 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 levy a withdrawal charge (normally $1-5 as a fixed amount).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram connects directly to the same Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain consistent. The advantage PolyGram delivers is in account setup — optimised onboarding procedures that sidestep expensive MoonPay fees. Review your transaction history to observe precise costs on individual trades. Start trading on PolyGram →